Shanxian Travel

Shanxian County, Heze, Shandong — historically known as Shanfu, honored as the "Hometown of Archways" for its Hundred Lion Archway and Hundred Longevity Archway. It features natural landscapes such as Fulong Lake and Moon Bay, integrating archway culture, water charm, and red memories. A 2-day in-depth tour unlocks the charm of this millennia-old county, experiencing the unique blend of stone carving art and lake-mountain scenery.

2200+
Years of Urban History
1
4A-level Scenic Area
6+
Core Attractions
10+
Specialty Foods
Hundred Lion Archway, Shanxian, Heze City
Hundred Lion Archway - Number One Archway Under Heaven
The pinnacle of Qing dynasty stone carving art, named for its hundred lions carved in various poses. Exquisite craftsmanship and auspicious symbolism, together with the neighboring Hundred Longevity Archway, they are known as the "Number One Archway Under Heaven."

Shanxian Two-Day One-Night Ancient Charm Water Town Tour

Admire the stone carving art of archways, explore the ecological beauty of Fulong Lake, taste Shanxian mutton soup, experience red culture, and unlock the history and natural beauty of this ancient county

Duration
2 Days / 1 Night
Main Destinations
Hundred Lion Archway, Fulong Lake, Huxi Revolution Memorial Hall, Archway Ancient City, Shanxian Museum
Suitable For
Culture enthusiasts, nature explorers, food seekers, red tourism lovers
Budget per Person
¥400-¥850
01
Ancient Charm Tracing
Hundred Lion Archway · Hundred Longevity Archway · Huxi Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery · Archway Ancient City
Highlights

Morning: Admire the stone carving art of the Hundred Lion Archway and Hundred Longevity Archway. Afternoon: Explore Huxi Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery to honor the martyrs. Evening: Stroll through Archway Ancient City to experience the night atmosphere and taste Shanxian mutton soup.

Attractions
Hundred Lion Archway
National key cultural relic protection unit. Built during the Qianlong era of the Qing dynasty, a four-pillar, three-bay, five-story stone archway covered with carvings of a hundred lions in various poses — standing, lying, leaping, and bounding. Known as the "Museum of Qing Dynasty Stone Carving Art."
Hundred Longevity Archway
Known together with the Hundred Lion Archway as the "Two Marvels." Named for its carving of a hundred "Longevity" characters in different scripts. The carvings incorporate mythological stories and auspicious patterns, showcasing the superb level of mid-Qing stone carving art.
Huxi Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery
Built in memory of the revolutionary martyrs of the Huxi region. The park features a Revolutionary Martyrs Memorial Tower, Memorial Hall, and martyr graves, displaying the heroic deeds of the Huxi people during the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War.
Practical Info
Accommodation
  • Homestays near Archway Ancient City
  • Business hotels in city center
  • Resort hotels by Fulong Lake
Food Recommendations
  • Shanxian mutton soup
  • Shanxian fried dough twist
  • Xu's hanging stove sesame flatbread
  • Honey triple blade pastry
Travel Tips
  • Archway Street is a pedestrian-only street; walking is recommended
  • Please maintain solemnity at the Martyrs Cemetery and follow visitation rules
  • Ancient city night lights turn on at 19:00, perfect for photos
02
Ecology & Scenery
Fulong Lake Ecotourism Area · Shanxian Museum · Moon Bay Reservoir · Departure
Highlights

Morning: Explore Fulong Lake to enjoy the lake scenery. Afternoon: Visit Shanxian Museum to learn local history, tour Moon Bay Reservoir to enjoy pastoral views, purchase specialties before departure.

Attractions
Fulong Lake Ecotourism Area
National 4A-level scenic area, the second largest plain reservoir in Shandong Province with a water area of 21 square kilometers. Islands dot the lake with pavilions, surrounded by wetlands. A tourist resort integrating ecological sightseeing, leisure vacation, and water sports.
Shanxian Museum
Houses over 1,500 artifacts, featuring exhibition halls on "Archway Culture," "Historical Artifacts," and "Folk Customs," systematically showcasing Shanxian's historical development from ancient to modern times and its distinctive culture.
Moon Bay Reservoir
An important water conservancy project and ecological landscape in Shanxian, named for its crescent-shaped lake. Surrounded by thousands of acres of peach orchards, peach blossoms bloom in spring reflecting beautifully on the water — an ideal spot for leisure fishing, picnicking, and camping.
Practical Info
Transportation
  • Fulong Lake is 25 km from county center; take tourist shuttle or self-drive
  • Museum is in city center; take bus routes 1 or 3
  • Moon Bay Reservoir is 10 km from Fulong Lake; self-driving recommended
Ticket Info
  • Hundred Lion Archway / Hundred Longevity Archway: Free
  • Huxi Revolutionary Martyrs Cemetery: Free
  • Fulong Lake Ecotourism Area: ¥40 (including boat ride)
  • Shanxian Museum: Free (registration required)
Travel Tips
  • Fulong Lake is large; bicycles can be rented for a lakeside tour (¥30/hour)
  • Best time to visit Moon Bay is March-April for peach blossoms
  • For vacuum-packed mutton soup, choose direct-sale stores of "Shanxian Mutton Soup Group"

Must-Try Foods in Shanxian

Shanxian Mutton Soup

Known as "China's Number One Soup," originating in 1807. Made from local green goat using a secret ancestral recipe. The soup is milky white, the meat tender, without gamey smell. Best enjoyed with sesame flatbread — a national intangible cultural heritage.

Shanxian Fried Dough Twist

A traditional fried food of Shanxian. Made from flour and sesame, stretched into thin strips and fried until golden. Crispy texture, savory and delicious. Can be eaten directly or soaked in mutton soup — a local specialty snack.

Xu's Hanging Stove Sesame Flatbread

A century-old time-honored snack of Shanxian. Baked in a special hanging stove, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, topped with sesame seeds. Can be stuffed with meat or enjoyed with mutton soup — selected as county-level intangible cultural heritage for its unique craftsmanship.

Honey Triple Blade Pastry

A traditional pastry of Shanxian. Made from flour, honey, and sesame, fried and coated with syrup. Bright red color, sweet but not greasy, soft and sticky texture. Named for the three knife marks on the surface — a festive essential dessert.

Shanxian Travel Tips
Best Time to Visit
  • Spring (Mar-Apr): Peach blossoms at Moon Bay, pleasant weather
  • Summer (Jun-Aug): Lotus flowers at Fulong Lake, ideal for escaping heat
  • Autumn (Sep-Oct): Clear skies, perfect for visiting the ancient city and wetlands
Must-Try Foods
  • Shanxian mutton soup
  • Shanxian fried dough twist
  • Xu's hanging stove sesame flatbread
  • Honey triple blade pastry
  • Mutton soup dumplings
Budget Reference
  • Tickets: approx ¥40
  • Accommodation: ¥120-260/night
  • Meals: ¥60-120/day
  • Transport: about ¥50
  • Total: ¥400-850
FAQ
  • Which Shanxian mutton soup restaurant is the most authentic? → Time-honored brands "Sanyichun" and "Zili" in the county town
  • Can I fish at Fulong Lake? → Yes, in designated areas with a fishing permit
  • Is there parking at Archway Street? → Yes, public parking lots at both ends of the street
  • Does the museum offer guided tours? → Yes, free guided tours at 10:00 AM

Explore Districts & Counties of Heze