Shengji Mountain Scenic Area
Yemaotai Town is under the jurisdiction of Faku County, Shenyang City. As an important frontier town in western Shenyang, it enjoys a superior geographical location. It borders Xinmin City to the south, Fuxin City and Inner Mongolia to the north, with a well-developed highway network. National Highway 101 runs through the whole town, and it is only 15 kilometres away from the Shenyang-Zhangwu and Tieling-Fuxin Expressways.
Yemaotai Town boasts a long history and numerous celebrities. The nationally renowned Liao Dynasty Tomb Group is located on Shengji Mountain within the town, which was designated a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 2001. It is a high-grade historical site of the Liao and Jin dynasties that integrates scientific research, popular science education and sightseeing.
Shengji Mountain lies about 1 kilometre west of Yemaotai Village in Yemaotai Town. Formerly known as West Hill of Yemaotai, it ranks as the second highest peak in the town, with an altitude of 203 metres. The mountain features steep slopes and jagged rocks, stretching southeast like a giant dragon lying sound asleep on the ground. The mountaintop is covered with huge, oddly shaped boulders. Standing on the summit and looking southward, visitors can overlook the northern bank of the Liao River. Stretching endlessly far away are fertile farmlands crisscrossed by field paths. Nearby, wild flowers bloom among towering ancient trees, forming a vivid northern frontier landscape painting.
Archaeological excavations show that the Liao tombs are concentrated on the lower southern slope of the mountain, a treasured feng shui location on the sunny side of Shengji Mountain. The total number of tombs and the rank of their occupants remain hard to estimate. Up to now, 23 tombs have been unearthed. The most important one is the tomb of Xiao Yi, Prime Minister of the Northern Council of the Liao Dynasty.
A great many cultural relics have been excavated, including stone inscriptions, murals, silk paintings and stone coffins. Among them, two silk paintings — Playing Go in Deep Mountains and Pastoral Fun in Suburban Gardens — have shocked archaeological circles at home and abroad. They are of great significance for the study of Liao-Jin history and the culture of the Khitan people in frontier regions.
This ancient land of the Liao and Jin dynasties witnessed the evolution of regional ethnic culture and its interactions with central China. It is the only site of its kind in China and even the whole world, possessing precious value for historical research and science popularization.
On the lower part where the northern slope of Shengji Mountain meets the southern slope of Yemaotai Mountain, there is a row of strangely shaped grottoes along the hillside. Caves nest inside other caves with layered scenic views. Dripping water forms lifelike natural stone figures. Each cave is more than three metres high and holds ice that never melts all year round, hence the local name "Cold Palace".
With unclear origins, artificial traces and bizarre shapes, these grottoes remain an unsolved mystery. Moreover, they lie just west of the tomb group, making them worthy of in-depth research and protection.
The tourist zone of Shengji Mountain in Yemaotai is divided into three distinctive scenic sections according to tomb distribution, geographical conditions and natural landscapes.
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Tomb Scenic Area of Xiao Yi, Prime Minister of the Northern Council of the Liao Dynasty
Centred on Xiao Yi’s tomb, this zone showcases the rich culture and folk customs of Khitan nobles.
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Sightseeing Zone of Shengji Mountain
Making full use of the winding mountain terrain, this area is themed on six local folk tales that depict the gorgeous frontier scenery and the colourful lives of imperial nobles in the northern borderland:
- Sacred Spring Pool: where the imperial concubine took baths according to legend;
- Moon-Watching Platform: built for the Empress Dowager to admire the moon;
- Hunting Ground: the hunting site of Emperor Tianzuo;
- Water Fun Lake: where the imperial concubine rowed boats and enjoyed water games;
- Mounting Stone: the stone stepped on by Xiao Yi when he went out for excursions;
- Golden Foal Cave: said to be the lair of a golden pony that ran into the cave.
- Cliff Scenic Area of Shengji Mountain
This area features towering vertical rock faces and steep peaks quarried from ancient stone pits over hundreds of years. It embodies the bold spirit of northern China — towering mountains stretching across vast fertile plains, presenting the magnificent scenery of perilous peaks.
For years, distinguished domestic archaeologists, famous tourism experts and international delegations have visited here for field investigations. All have reached the same conclusion: endowed with outstanding geographical advantages and first-hand historical materials, the Liao tomb group on Shengji Mountain is an ideal destination for investigation, sightseeing and leisure.
Here you will find genuine mountains, natural waters and original landscapes: towering vertical cliffs, mysterious ancient caves with long legends, evergreen pines and cypresses, fragrant black locust woods, and the gurgling Sacred Spring Pool.
Particularly well-preserved legendary sites include the Golden Foal Cave, Green Stone Gate, Moon-Watching Platform, Hunting Ground and Water Fun Lake. The vivid scenes immerse visitors deeply and make them reluctant to leave.
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