Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area: Building on ecology as its foundation, nurturing culture as its soul, and composing a new chapter for this renowned northern mountain.-Hengshan Mountain

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Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area: Building on ecology as its foundation, nurturing culture as its soul, and composing a new chapter for this renowned northern mountain.

Publish Time:

2025-10-26 16:28

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Hengshan Mountain, the Northern Peak among China's Five Great Mountains, has since ancient times been a symbol of the nation’s beautiful landscapes and rivers, a representation of the country’s enduring stability and prosperity, and a spiritual totem embodying the essence of the Chinese people—earning it the esteemed status of "National Mountain." As a quintessential embodiment of northern landscape culture and a vital ecological barrier, what insights has Hengshan Mountain gained in safeguarding its lush greenery and clear waters? And in terms of cultural heritage preservation combined with practical innovation, what invaluable experiences and remarkable achievements have been realized?

Recently, the People's Daily National Party Media Information Public Platform, People's Daily Online, Workers' Daily, and others issued "Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area: Building on Ecology, Rooted in Culture, and Ushering in a New Chapter for the Famous Northern Mountain" One article. Let’s explore together the key to Hengshan Mountain’s development in the context of the new era.

Here is the full text:

Recently, Cao Qilong, Party Secretary of the Management Center and Director of the Administrative Committee of Shanxi Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area in Shandong's Mount Tai, was a guest on the program "Beautiful China Talk" (Mount Tai Edition). He shared insights into the scenic area's practices in ecological conservation and cultural heritage preservation, highlighting Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area's series of effective initiatives and achievements that have garnered widespread attention.

Hengshan Mountain, a shining gem of northern landscape culture and a vital ecological barrier, has consistently followed Xi Jinping’s Thought on Ecological Civilization in recent years, placing ecological protection firmly at the heart of its development agenda. During the program, Cao Qilong introduced that the Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area has been vigorously advancing its "greening" and "expanding greenery" initiatives as part of its "mountain management" campaign. To date, the area has planted 56,000 new seedlings, including Chinese pine and mountain peach trees, effectively increasing green cover across 1,300 acres. Meanwhile, 1,500 acres of scenic forests have undergone upgrades and renovations, while over 2,700 acres of young and middle-aged woodlands have received intensive tending and care. Additionally, more than 50,000 acres of surrounding mined areas have undergone comprehensive ecological restoration, restoring the once-barren landscapes to vibrant greenery. Beyond these efforts, the Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area also takes meticulous care of 103 ancient and iconic trees, ensuring their long-term health by uniformly tagging them, maintaining electronic records, and conducting regular maintenance along with targeted pest and disease control measures—thus safeguarding these living "fossils" and securing their enduring legacy.

Autumn Colors of Mount Hengshan — Snowfall / Photo by

In terms of "water management," the focus has been on comprehensive water environment improvement, with dredging projects carried out in rivers and lakes. Four flushing toilets were renovated to meet emission standards, and a new attraction called "Xuanwu Lake" was created—now a vibrant highlight along the Qianshan walking trail and a popular spot for tourists to check in. Thanks to the excellent ecological environment, Hengshan Mountain enjoys a cool and pleasant summer climate, with an average temperature hovering around just 22°C. As a result, it has successfully earned recognition as a "summer-resort tourism destination." Moreover, the mountain provides an ideal habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna, thriving here are high-quality, authentic medicinal herbs like "Hengshan Mountain Astragalus." It also serves as a crucial stopover for swans migrating between north and south, while rare species such as the clouded leopard and black stork continue to breed and flourish in this pristine ecosystem.

Poetic haven for swans at the foot of Hengshan Mountain / Photo by Hengshan Mountain’s Snow

In addition to ecological conservation, Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area also shines brightly in cultural heritage and innovation. Cao Qilong noted that the scenic area has established the "Beiyue Cultural Research Institute," which has so far published more than 10 specialized books on Beiyue culture and over 100 scholarly articles, deeply exploring and interpreting the historical and cultural significance of Hengshan Mountain. Meanwhile, the Hunyuan Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall has been completed and opened to the public, with plans underway for a Military Culture Museum. Moreover, the Yuan Dynasty murals at Yong'an Temple are being revitalized through immersive performances like "Praying for Blessings: Yong'an," breathing new life and energy into this ancient cultural legacy.

North Yue Historical and Cultural Exhibition Hall | Hunyuan Culture & Tourism/Photo

In terms of brand promotion, the Hengshan Mountain scenic area has actively gone global, collaborating with mainstream media outlets as well as renowned brands like LV and Planet Research Institute on joint marketing initiatives. Popular works such as "Black Myth: Wukong" and "Langlangshan Little Monster" were filmed at Hengshan Mountain, while cultural and creative products like the Hanging Temple Quicksand Fridge Magnets have become instant hits, further boosting Hengshan Mountain's visibility and appeal among younger audiences. "We hope that through these efforts, more people will come to know and fall in love with Hengshan Mountain, truly appreciating the unique charm of this famous northern mountain," said Cao Qilong, extending a heartfelt invitation to all.

The series of initiatives undertaken at the Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area have not only laid a solid foundation for its own sustainable development but also provided valuable lessons for ecological conservation and cultural heritage preservation in scenic spots across the country. Cao Qilong stated that Hengshan Mountain will continue to strengthen its green foundation, share the compelling story of this renowned northern mountain, and demonstrate new responsibilities and achievements as China advances on its journey toward building a beautiful nation.

"Beautiful China: A Dialogue," jointly launched by the China Association of Scenic and Historic Areas and various central media outlets, is a large-scale, multi-media interview series dedicated to "promoting ecological civilization, spreading Chinese culture, and building a beautiful China." The program aims to gather cutting-edge insights, share practical experiences, and explore pathways for high-quality development of the nation's scenic and historic areas. To date, the show has been successfully held in Tianjin, Zhejiang, Tibet, Sichuan, and other regions, generating widespread acclaim and significant impact.

Keywords:

Must-visit Yong'an Temple | The "Langlangshan Little Demon: A Shanxi Journey" event is officially launched

Hengshan Mountain Scenic Area: Building on ecology as its foundation, nurturing culture as its soul, and composing a new chapter for this renowned northern mountain.