Hidden Gem: Qianshi Mountain in Jianchuan

During my trip to Dali, I chose a hidden gem destination—Qianshi Mountain in Jianchuan. I stayed at Fangxing Inn, located outside the north gate of the ancient town, for just 80 yuan per night. The inn offers clean accommodations, a warm and welcoming host, and excellent value for money. The owner even provides free tickets to the scenic area. From the inn, I headed straight to Qianshi Mountain to embark on a fascinating journey exploring this lesser-known paradise. Here’s my detailed one-day itinerary for Jianchuan Qianshi Mountain, combining the latest updates (June 2025) and optimized routes to efficiently explore this "Stone Lion Museum": 🗺️ Efficient Route Plan (Approx. 7 hours) North Gate Inn → Qianshi Mountain Scenic Area (8:30 AM) → Qiantai Slope/Scenic Shuttle (9:00 AM) → Qianshi Archway (9:30 AM) → Yangxin Road (10:00 AM) → Jingang Gate (10:30 AM) → Xianlin Zen Temple & Chongxiao Ancient Cypress (11:00 AM) → Lion King Square (12:30 PM) → Qianshi Wall (1:30 PM) → Wenfeng Tower (2:30 PM) → Return (3:30 PM) 🦁 Key Highlights 1. Lion King: The World’s Largest Stone Lion (Main Peak at 2,780 meters above sea level) Impressive Stats: Standing 25 meters tall and 18 meters long, this Guinness-certified largest stone lion features a crouching pose with a ball and a fierce expression. Current Status (2025): A glass viewing platform is under construction; distant shots or long-focus photos from Wenfeng Tower are recommended. Photography Tips: ✅ Low-angle shot: Capture the lion’s paw from a 45° angle to emphasize its imposing presence. ✅ Drone shot: From Wenfeng Tower, capture the Lion King with the surrounding mountains. 2. Wenfeng Tower: Ming Dynasty Ancient Tower with Lion King Views Cultural Significance: A nine-story ancient tower featuring rare Dragon King statues in its niches, believed to enhance Jianchuan’s literary culture. Benefits of Climbing: Panoramic views of Jianchuan Basin and the Lion King, ideal for drone photography (requires a telephoto lens of 200mm or more). Note: The steep stairs leading to the tower require about 20 minutes of climbing; travel light. 3. Qianshi Wall: A 45-meter Giant Lion Relief Artistic Value: A 41-meter-long wall featuring 1,000 lion carvings from nine dynasties, centered around a ball motif. Best Spot: Capture the full view from the pavilion to the east and look for hidden "cute lions" (rolling, tilting poses). 4. Chongxiao Ancient Cypress: A Thousand-Year-Old Sacred Tree Unique Feature: An 80-meter-tall giant cypress standing on a cliff with only one-third of its roots intact, revered by the Bai people as a spiritual tree. Experience: Circle the tree three times to make a wish, and pair it with the "Long Sword Pointing to the Sky" stone carving for a perfect shot. 📸 Other Must-See Spots Qianshi Archway: The world’s largest stone archway with 1,000 lion carvings and Wang Xizhi’s inscription "Path to Langhuan" at the end of Qiantai Slope. Yangxin Road: Lions every ten steps; interact with "Perfect Family Lions" and "Three Lions of Prosperity" between Qianshi Archway and Jingang Gate. Jingang Gate: A natural stone gate inscribed with "One Aperture Enlightenment"; capture silhouettes through the gate and slow-motion shots of the stream behind it. Xianlin Zen Temple: A suspended ancient temple with red walls, green tiles, and lion-carved window decorations; take panoramic shots of the ancient cypress from the pavilion behind the temple. 🚌 Transportation & Tips (Starting from North Gate) Transportation: Walking: 10 minutes from the inn to the scenic area’s west gate via Wenxian Road. Scenic Shuttle: Round trip for 30 yuan, saving you from climbing the 999 steps of Qiantai Slope. Tickets: 20 yuan (free for visitors aged 70 and above). Construction Notice: The Lion King’s glass platform is under construction until July 2025, with restricted access to certain areas. 🍜 Dining & Gear Recommendations Lunch Options: ✅ Bring light snacks: Enjoy a meal at the Lion King Square rest area (recommended: milk cake and plum juice). ✅ Post-hike: Try "Mountain Old Leg Hotpot" (ham and mushroom soup) outside Jingfeng Park. Inn’s Value-Added Services: 🔸 Free hiking poles and mosquito repellent (essential for summer). 🔸 Reserved seating at "Wang’s Cold Noodles" in the ancient town upon return. ⚠️ Key Reminders Safety: Wear non-slip shoes for the steep Wenfeng Tower trail. Cultural Etiquette: Avoid climbing ancient cypress trees and keep your voice low in temples. Best Timing: Morning for sunlit Lion King photos; evening for soft light on Qianshi Wall. This guide covers 90% of Qianshi Mountain’s highlights, balancing efficiency and cultural depth to help you fully experience the wonders of the stone lion paradise!