Caimeng Mountain Forest Leisure Tourism Zone

Also known as the Wucai Mountain Area, it lies in the southern part of Nanshimen Township, 30 kilometers northeast of Jiehu, the county seat of Yinan. Standing at an altitude of 762.8 meters, Wucai Mountain is the highest peak in Yinan County. The mountain features gentle southern slopes and steep northern slopes, with rolling mountain ridges surrounded by towering peaks. Boasting elegant mountains and lush forests, the area presents gorgeous scenery and fresh air. In summer, the average temperature atop the mountain is around 3°C lower than that at the foot.

The total forested area of the zone covers 18,000 mu, including 12,000 mu of mixed shelterbelts consisting of Japanese red pine, black pine, black locust and other tree species, as well as 6,000 mu of cash forests planted with cherry, chestnut, apple and other fruit trees. On the southeast slope of the mountain top at an elevation of 550 meters, there lies a forest lawn covering approximately 2,000 square meters. At 700 meters above sea level along the mountain ridge, several huge boulders form a massive natural barrier 50 meters long and 10 meters high. A stone cave beneath the rock wall can accommodate several people. Another unfathomably deep stone cave halfway up the eastern foothill is locally named Divine Dragon Cave. Close to the summit is a narrow passage only about one foot wide yet more than ten meters long, known as the "Path of Perpetual Danger". Climbing upward beside the sheer abyss fills visitors with awe. A 48.5-kilometer circular mountain tourist highway has been built, allowing vehicles to travel close to the mountain top.

The highway stretching from the Nanshimen Township Government compound to the foot of Wucai Mountain winds alongside mountain streams, twisting and turning amid continuous peaks. North of Heishan’an Village at the foot of Wucai Mountain, where the stream bends, a partially submerged pictographic rock resembling a giant toad rests in the water, locally dubbed the Toad Stone. Folk legend holds that this stone ensures the stream never runs dry. Heishan’an Village ranks among Linyi City’s major cherry-producing regions, with thousands of mu of high-quality cherry orchards lining multiple mountain valleys. When spring warms the land, pink cherry blossoms bloom in brilliant profusion. In late spring and early summer, ripe cherries cluster on branches like translucent pearls and agates. More than 90 check dams have been constructed along Toad Stone Gully and Cloth Bag Valley on the eastern foothill of Wucai Mountain. Perennial running water forms cascading waterfalls, presenting a spectacular view. At the foot of West Wucai Mountain sits a reservoir with a storage capacity of 600,000 cubic meters, offering tranquil and refreshing views of mountains mirrored in the lake.

As a vital component of Mengshan Mountain, Wucai Mountain has been incorporated into the overall development plan of Mengshan Mountain by the CPC Linyi Municipal Committee and Linyi Municipal People’s Government, designated as the Caimeng Mountain Forest Leisure Tourism Zone. The planned area centers on Wucai Mountain and also encompasses Daqing Mountain, Dadingzi Hill, Maotou Mountain and other peaks. Beyond abundant natural landscapes, the zone bears a glorious revolutionary history. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, it served as a revolutionary base for military and civilians in central Shandong. The renowned Daqing Mountain Breakout Battle took place here, and Heishan’an Village once housed the former editorial office of Dazhong Daily.

Integrating leisure tourism with revolutionary tradition education, the Caimeng Mountain Forest Leisure Tourism Zone enjoys broad prospects for development.