Introduction

The name Qianling comes from a mountain that is in the park which is the most famous mountain in southern Guizhou, Mt. Qianling. In the park, Qianling Park is located 1.5 kilometers from the center of Guiyang city covering an area of 426 hectares. It was first constructed in 1957. The park is home to eight predominant scenic locations which include, Macaque Garden, Qianling Lake, Hongfu Temple, Kylin Cave, the Zoo, the Winding Mountain Path and the Two Dam Wind Rain Bridge. There are at least 1,500 different types of trees and flowers and even 1000 different types of herbs in the Qianling Mountain. In addition to this, there are also gregarious macaques and flocks of birds.

Things to see and do on a visit

Hongfu Temple

The Hongfu Temple was built in 1667 to become the largest temple of Zen Buddhism in Guizhou Province. Hongfu means 'good fortune' and the temple has developed Buddha's spirits over the years to benefit mankind. The temple is a National Key site and a key cultural relic preservation area that features majesty and sobriety. The temple was founded in 1672 by a monk known as Chisong. The entrance of the temple has a Bell Tower and a Drum Tower on both sides. The bronze bell weighs more than 3,000 pounds which was cast in 1469 during the Ming Dynasty.

Halls

There are a number of halls like the Heavenly King Hall where visitors can see carved statues of Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings. The walls of this hall are covered by stales of sutra and huge paintings.

The Bodhisattva Hall is completely dedicated to the Skanda Bodhisattva and the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara which has 32 arms. Another hall known as the Mahavira Hall has gilded statues of Sakyamuni, Ju Hachi Rakan amongst many more. There are more than 10 jade statues of Bodhisattva and Maitreya amongst, a unique jade Buddha statue originated from the capital of Burma, in Rangoon which stands at 1.5 meters high and weighs 1,984 pounds. The Buddha statue is made out of superior jade and looks beneficent yet also solemn.

Qianling Lake

Qianling Lake is a man-made lake derived from Daluo Spring in 1954. The lake covers an area of 35 hectares and in 1999 when its silt was cleared up it left crystal clearer water with a steadfast dam. During this renovation, the parapet of the lake was changed into a white marble adding more aesthetic value to the surroundings. This crystalline surface mirrors green and gentle willows surrounded by articulated decorated pavilions. Every year during the tomb-sweeping day, locals go to the lake area to worship fallen heroes. On the west side of the riverbank is a memorial for the martyrs who died during the war of liberation of Guizhou Province. 

Macaque Garden

Qianling Hill Park is the perfect habitat for macaques given 90% of its environment is forest cover because of the Qianling Mountain. The park is home to at least 500 macaque which is a heaven for them jumping and enchanting making Guiyang the biggest city to host monkeys.

Kylin Cave

The Kyln Cave is located along the 382 steps nine twist path in front of the 400-years-old spring. Inside the cave are many stalactites with the hugest one weighed down like a Kylin, which is a beast symbolizing auspice in China and also giving the cave its current name. The cave receives thousands of visitors because of its legendary story of Chiang Kai-Shek capturing generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng at the cave during the War of Resistance against Japan.

Nine winding path

The nine winding path is a mountain path heading to Hongfu Temple that was constructed in 1688. The path was constructed according to the mountain elevation and terrain passing through nine steep turns that zigzag to the beginning of the Hongfu Temple entrance and that is why it is known as the "Nine winding" stony path.

Zoo

In the park, there is a natural zoo situated in the range of the high mountains park. The zoo in Qianling Park facilitates research, breeding and exploring the natural habitats of wildlife. It was set up in1958 covering an area of 7.55 hectares on a plateau-like terrain. The zoo is a popular hangout joint for youngsters and tourists for its serene environment and is also an important ecological protection unit.