Liang Shan

Liang Shan is in southwestern Shandong Provence, in eastern China, and was made famous as the home of martial heroes Song Jiang and Li Kui (statue pictured right) during the Northern Song Dynasty. [960-1127 AD] These men were mentioned in the novel Heroes of the Marsh, written by Shi Nai’an during the Ming dynasty [1368-1644].

In ancient times Liangshan was surrounded by a huge lake which has since drained and is now several kilometers away, leaving this “mountain” standing 150 km above the dry ground in present day Yuncheng county.

Liangshan became famous because of a popular uprising that happened there during the Song dynasty. People who could not stand feudal oppression sought refuge on Liangshan and joined the rebels. Song Jiang was the leader of the 108 martial arts experts who fought on Liangshan against the forces of the Emperor and held the top of the hill against overwhelming odds. Hei Feng Kuo is the pass at the top of the ridge where only two men could stand at a time and there they defended the top with two heroes facing the oncoming enemy in individual combat.

Li Kui is an interesting person in Chinese history, known as the “Black Whirlwind”[Heixuanfeng], his statue is located at Hei Feng Kuo, and he is possibly a non Han Chinese because he appears in the statue to be a bearded, well muscled, black man. He was known for his skill with two axes and the sword. His bravery and strength were legendary. He was said to be upright by nature and took up arms for justice and in the process he killed a landlord, several robbers, and battled tigers early in his career. Later he became a leader of the rebels who used Liangshan as a stronghold. In Heroes of the Marsh he is depicted as a Robin Hood type of figure who robbed the rich and gave to the poor.

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