Thousand Buddha Hill (Qianfo Shan), one of the three major places of interest in Jinan, is located about two and a half kilometers southeast of the city.

It was during the reign of the Emperor Kaihuang (581-600AD) of the Sui Dynasty (581-618AD) that Buddhism flourished in Shandong Province. Many monasteries were built around Lishan Mountain and numerous Buddhist Images were sculptured on the rocky cliffs. Hence the place became known as the Thousand Buddha Hill, which today also embraces Yellowstone Cliff (Huangshi Ya) and Jueshan Mountain in the south and east respectively.

Thousand Buddha Hill, overgrown with grass and flowers as well as age-old pine and cypress,is scattered with pavilions, towers and terraces. Although it is not of impressive height (only 280 meters), nor does it boast weird peaks or strange valleys, the convenient location and picturesque scenery of this spot, as well as the tranquil beauty of the ancient monastery nestled in its bosom, draw tourists by the thousands each year.

Probably the most renowned temple on Thousand Buddha Hill is Xingguo Temple, originally built in the Tang Dynasty. Three hundred stone steps stretch half way up the hill to the temple, which is most famous for the stone inscription opposite the front gate. In the courtyard, there is a sculpture of Emperor Shun, who, according to local legend, ploughed the soil in Jinan as well as inventing the writing brush.

How to get there: Take bus No.31 from the northeast corner of Daming Park. The journey is about 5km.