Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, the great Li Shimin, visited Qianshan and added to the temples already standing among the peaks. The Ming and Qing dynasties continued the tradition of imperial patronage. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong both made pilgrimages here, composing poetry that can still be seen inscribed in the rock. The temples they enhanced survive in Tang, Ming, and Qing architectural styles, a chronological survey of Chinese religious building spanning a millennium. The twentieth century brought upheaval: revolution damaged some structures, and the site fell into abandonment. But restoration came, and expansion followed. New temples dedicated to Maitreya Buddha now complement the ancient shrines. Hiking between these sacred sites, visitors encounter stone paths and staircases laid into the mountainside, some so steep they require ladders and handholds. Cable cars provide alternatives for three routes, though none reaches the very summits.

The granite peaks of Qianshan rise to 708 meters at their highest point, clothed in pine on the ridgetops and deciduous forest in the valleys. Flora and fauna abound in this protected landscape, though the star attraction remains geological: the endless parade of lotus-shaped summits that give the park its name. Summer brings temperatures around thirty-two degrees Celsius, perfect for hiking despite occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Winter transforms the park into a world of ice, with temperatures plunging below minus twenty and heavy snow not uncommon. Spring and autumn offer milder conditions and changing colors. The mountain paths vary from broad valley roads to near-vertical ascents where safety barriers protect against the most treacherous drops. Young children require careful supervision, and those with a fear of heights may find certain routes challenging.

Among Qianshan's scenic spots, the natural Buddha formation commands special attention. Standing seventy meters high, this rock outcropping presents the unmistakable profile of Maitreya Buddha when viewed from the proper angle. Whether one sees divine intention or geological coincidence, the effect is striking. Several temples have been built on the overlooking hills to venerate this phenomenon, and the Great Buddha Scenic Spot has become a major draw. A cable car carries visitors partway up for twenty yuan, with additional climbing required to reach the best viewpoints. The annual Great Buddha Festival in June transforms the park into a celebration of faith and spectacle. Other attractions include the Heaven above Heaven Scenic Spot and the Five-Buddha Summit, each with its own cable car access and constellation of temples.

Anshan, eighteen kilometers northwest, serves as the gateway to Qianshan. The industrial city offers rail connections to Shenyang, the provincial capital ninety kilometers north, with trains running frequently and taking fifty minutes. Shenyang airport provides the closest air access, while Dalian to the south offers an alternative with daily coach service. From Anshan's central bus station near the train station, bus number 8 runs frequently to the park's main gate for two yuan, though taxis make the journey for thirty-five to forty yuan with reliable meters. Motor vehicles cannot enter the park itself. Visitors walk or hire electric shuttle buses for ten yuan per ride. Park entrance costs eighty yuan from April through October, sixty yuan in winter. Individual temples may charge small additional fees, and the aviary at the back of the park requires separate admission. Country-style restaurants flourish outside the gates, serving traditional dishes at reasonable prices, while the city of Anshan offers more refined options and the nightlife absent within the park's peaceful confines.