Xiong'er Mountain National Geological Park in Zaozhuang

Xiongershan National Geopark (熊耳山国家地质公园) is located in Beizhuang Town, Shanting District, Zaozhuang. A National 4A-rated Tourist Attraction, it features a typical karst landscape with isolated flat-topped hills, known as gushan or gu landforms, on the southern foothills of the Taiyi Mountains. The main peak reaches an elevation of 483 meters, and the outline of the mountain resembles a bear’s ears, giving Xiongershan, meaning “Bear Ear Mountain,” its name.

The park’s signature attraction, Shuanglong Grand Fissure, is a geological formation created in marine sedimentary rock layers dating back approximately 500 million years. The rock strata fractured and collapsed during the catastrophic 8.5-magnitude Tancheng Earthquake of 1668, forming a rare earthquake-related geological relic in China often described as “the scar of the Earth.” The scenic area combines a giant geological fissure, natural caves, massive earthquake-induced rockfall formations, and sites associated with the revolutionary history of the region.

Xiongershan is both a natural textbook of geology and an off-the-beaten-path destination in southern Shandong for hiking, exploration, and summer escapes. The surrounding mountain vegetation is dense, while temperatures inside the canyon are typically 3–4°C lower than in the urban areas, creating a pleasantly cool environment during the summer months.

Main Highlights

Shuanglong Grand Fissure

Shuanglong Grand Fissure is the park’s most important geological attraction. The fissure extends for nearly 1 kilometer and reaches depths of approximately 30–50 meters, with steep and rugged rock walls. In several sections, the cliffs form dramatic “A Line of Sky” passages, where the gap becomes so narrow that visitors may only pass sideways one at a time.

Clear traces of earthquake-related fractures remain visible on the rock faces, while cliffside pine and cypress trees grow from cracks in the rocks. Small stalactite formations can also be found along the route. Visitors hike directly through the fissure along sections equipped with chain-assisted paths and walkways, creating an adventurous atmosphere while offering an up-close view of the geological formations.

Longzhuaya Earthquake Rockfall Site

The Longzhuaya Earthquake Rockfall Site contains extensive clusters of enormous boulders scattered and stacked across the mountainside. These giant rocks are direct physical remnants of the mountain collapse caused by the historic earthquake. Their unusual shapes have inspired names such as Lovers’ Rock and Sword-Testing Rock, while massive blocks piled together create natural stone corridors and narrow rock passages.

Walking among these formations provides a striking and tangible impression of the tremendous geological forces released by a major earthquake.

Cave Group: Huanglong Cave and Wolong Cave

Huanglong Cave is a large natural limestone cave with a cool, humid, and relatively stable internal temperature. The cave contains a variety of stalactites and stalagmites, which appear particularly striking under the installed lighting.

Wolong Cave is more winding and secluded, with a cool interior that makes it a pleasant place to escape the summer heat. Some sections of the cave are low, requiring visitors to bend down while passing through.

Xiongershan Geological Museum

Located near the entrance to the park, the Xiongershan Geological Museum is a science and education exhibition space featuring rock specimens, earthquake demonstration models, and illustrated panels explaining the formation of the isolated hill landscape and the geological mechanisms behind Shuanglong Grand Fissure.

The museum is particularly suitable for families and educational study tours, providing useful background information that helps visitors understand the geological evolution of the entire geopark before entering the mountain trails.

Main Peak Viewing Platform

After reaching the viewing platform on the main peak of Xiongershan, visitors can enjoy a 360-degree panorama of the mountains, villages, farmland, and distinctive hill formations of southern Shandong. The broad views are particularly rewarding after the more enclosed canyon and cave sections of the hike.

Ancient vines and old trees can also be found along the mountain trails. In spring and summer, their dense foliage provides welcome shade and natural resting places for hikers.

Niubi Cave Revolutionary Heritage Site

Niubi Cave is a natural rock cave that served as a former activity site for an early grassroots Communist Party organization in southern Shandong. The site preserves memories of the revolutionary struggles that took place in the mountainous areas of the region and combines geological interest with the educational value of red tourism.

Travel Tip: The ground inside the fissure and caves is often damp and slippery, so wear sturdy, non-slip hiking shoes. Some “A Line of Sky” passages are extremely narrow, so visitors with a larger body size should assess whether they can pass safely. The caves are dimly lit, and carrying a small flashlight is recommended. There are many steps along the mountain trails, so a hiking pole can be useful. Mosquitoes and other insects are common in the mountain forests during summer, so take appropriate precautions. Xiongershan National Geopark and Baodugu National Forest Park are two separate scenic areas, and their admission tickets are not interchangeable. Pay attention to the final admission time and allow enough time to complete the hiking route.

Tickets and Reservations

An adult admission ticket costs RMB 60. Full-time students can receive a 50% discount with valid identification. Children under 1.4 meters, visitors aged 65 and above, military personnel, and visitors with disabilities can enter free of charge with valid identification.

Opening hours: 08:30–16:30 from May to October, with last admission at 16:15; 08:30–16:00 from November to April of the following year, with last admission at 15:40. Tickets can be purchased either online or on site, and advance reservations are not mandatory.

A parking lot is available at the scenic area.

Best Time to Visit

The best period to visit is generally April to November. In spring and summer, mountain flowers bloom throughout the area, while the canyon provides a cool retreat during the summer months. Autumn brings rich colors to the mountain forests, making it particularly attractive for hiking and photography.

A complete visit covering the Geological Museum, Shuanglong Grand Fissure, the caves, and the main peak viewing platform takes approximately 2.5–3.5 hours. Xiongershan can also be combined with Baodugu National Forest Park and Taierzhuang Ancient Town to create a two-day itinerary combining southern Shandong’s mountain scenery, geological landscapes, and cultural attractions.

Climate Reference

Southern Shandong has a temperate monsoon climate. June to August is summer, with temperatures generally around 22–32°C, although the canyon feels noticeably cooler. September to November is autumn, with temperatures of approximately 12–23°C. December to February is winter, with temperatures ranging from around -3 to 7°C. March to May is spring, with temperatures of approximately 8–22°C, while humidity in the mountains is generally higher than in urban areas.

How to Get There

By car: Navigate to Xiongershan National Geopark, Beizhuang Town, Shanting District, Zaozhuang. The drive from central Zaozhuang takes approximately 1 hour.

By public transportation: A tourist shuttle route from Sanjiao Garden in Zaozhuang goes directly to the scenic area. Public transportation services are relatively infrequent, so traveling by private car is recommended for greater convenience.

Recommended Visiting Route

After entering the scenic area, visit the Xiongershan Geological Museum, then continue to the Longzhuaya earthquake rockfall site before hiking through Shuanglong Grand Fissure. Continue to Wolong Cave and Huanglong Cave for the cave experience, then climb to the main peak viewing platform for panoramic views before descending the mountain and returning.

For a Shandong travel itinerary, Xiongershan National Geopark can be combined with Baodugu and Taierzhuang Ancient Town to create a southern Shandong route featuring geological landscapes, mountain scenery, revolutionary heritage, and historic culture.

Accommodation

Accommodation around the scenic area mainly consists of local farm guesthouses and rural homestays. Visitors can also return to Shanting District or central Zaozhuang for a wider choice of hotels. Advance booking is recommended during public holidays and peak travel periods.

Navigation and Location

Xiongershan National Geopark (熊耳山国家地质公园)
Maozhai Village, Beizhuang Town, Shanting District, Zaozhuang, Shandong Province.

Best Photography Spots

The most recommended photography locations include the “A Line of Sky” section of Shuanglong Grand Fissure, the massive earthquake rockfall formations at Longzhuaya, the natural cave landscapes inside Huanglong Cave, and the panoramic mountain views from the main peak viewing platform.

Nearby Attractions

Nearby attractions include Baodugu National Forest Park (抱犊崮国家森林公园), Taierzhuang Ancient Town (台儿庄古城), and Taierzhuang Battle Memorial Hall (台儿庄大战纪念馆).