Qianshan National Park

Liaoning Sheng

Qianshan National Park is a mountainous national park located in Liaoning Province, China, renowned for its scenic beauty and cultural significance. The park covers 44 square kilometers and is famed for its dense forests, with 95% of the area covered by trees, including over ten thousand pine trees estimated to be over 100 years old. It is unique for hosting both Buddhist and Taoist religious sites coexisting within the same area, a rarity in China. Among its peaks stands a naturally formed statue of the Maitreya Buddha, approximately 70 meters high, considered the largest naturally occurring image of this Buddha in the world. Visitors can explore numerous temples such as the Pagoda of Maitreya, Great Buddha Temple, and Pavilion of Buddha, which overlook the giant Buddha statue. The park’s religious heritage dates back to the Tang dynasty and was further developed during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although the site suffered damage during the 20th century revolutions, restoration efforts have revived its temples and pagodas. The park prohibits motor vehicles inside, encouraging visitors to walk or use electric carts along paved paths that wind through the forest and past shrines and pagodas. Three cable car routes provide access to scenic peaks, though some climbing remains to reach the summits. Qianshan also hosts an annual Great Buddha Festival every June, celebrating its spiritual and cultural heritage. The park's rich biodiversity includes rare flora used in traditional Chinese medicine and over a hundred bird species, including the rare black-headed stork.