Qianling Park

Situated on Qianling Hill 1.5 kilometers from the center of Guiyang City, the park covers an area of 426 hectares. Built in 1957, it is a unique park in the city. It takes its name from Qianling Mountain in the park, which is the most famous mountain in southern Guizhou. As one of the noted gardens on the Guizhou plateau, it boasts clear waters, green mountains, tranquil forests, and old temples. More than 500 energetic and enchanting macaques live in the park. There are eight predominant scenic locations: Sanlingwan, Macaque Garden, Hongfu Temple, Kylin Cave, the Zoo, Qianling Lake, the Wind-Rain Bridge, and the Winding Mountain Path.

Hongfu Temple

The original temple was built in 1667 and is the largest Zen Buddhist temple in Guizhou Province. It features majesty and sobriety. Hongfu means to develop Buddha's spirits and to benefit mankind. Today it is rated as one of the 142 national key temple scenic areas as well as the key cultural relic preservation site in Guizhou Province.

Upon entering the gate of the temple, you will see the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower on either side. The bronze bell weighs more than 3,000 Jin in Chinese measurement (equal to about 3,300 pounds) and was cast in 1469 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

In the first hall, known as Heavenly King Hall, you can see the statues of Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings. On the walls, there are steles of sutra and colorful paintings. The second main hall is the Bodhisattva Hall dedicated to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara with 32 arms. In the third hall named Mahavira Hall, there are gilded statues of Sakyamuni and the 18 Arhats. There's also a jade Buddha statue from Rangoon, the capital of Myanmar. It is 1.5 meters high and weighs 900 kilograms. The statue looks beneficent but solemn, and it stands among more than ten other jade statues of Bodhisattva and Maitreya.

Besides these superb halls, the temple is also adorned with galleries, pools, and springs, all of which are of artistic value.

Qianling Lake

Qianling Lake was made by damming the Daluo Spring in 1954. In 1999 when a project to clean up the silt in the lake was completed, it grew to an area of 35 hectares with clearer water and a sturdy dam. The crystalline surface mirrors the green and gentle willows and ornately decorated and finely built pavilions. On the western bank stands a memorial to the martyrs who died during the war for the liberation of Guizhou Province. Every Tomb-Sweeping Day, thousands of people go there to worship the heroes.

Macaque Garden

Qianling Park, with 98% forest cover, is the perfect habitat for macaques and more than 500 of them live in the Macaque Garden. Energetic and enchanting, they jump and frolic here and there, attracting many visitors. Out of the big cities in China, only Guiyang has such a large garden for monkeys.

Tips: Don’t irritate the macaques in the park, especially those with babies, who are more likely to harm people.

Kylin Cave

Taking the 382-step Nine-Twist Path leads to Kylin Cave. In front of the cave flows a 400-year-old spring. Among stalactites of various shapes hanging inside, there is a huge one weighed down like a kylin (a beast symbolizing auspice in China), giving the cave its name.

The cave is noted as the site where Chiang Kai-Shek, the leader of the Chinese Nationalist Party at that time, captured patriotic general Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng during the War of Resistance against Japan. Many Chinese people come to visit the cave because of its history.