Tales of the Strange in Southern Shandong: The Mountain Hides a Haunting

The Yimeng mountains stretch on, and the Yi River flows strong. In the ancient lanes and deep mountains of Fei County, forbidden tales have been passed down by word of mouth for generations.

At the Yihe River ferry, a red embroidered shoe beckons souls to their replacements in the dead of night. In the abandoned clock shop on the old city's ancient street, the chimes steal years from the living. In the fog-shrouded hills behind Zhaojiayu in Datianzhuang, mountain spirits mimic voices to lure travelers astray.

I was born in southern Shandong and love seeking out old rural tales. I've traveled through Fei County's villages and ancient lanes, collecting eerie legends on the verge of being buried by time. Riverbanks, old shops, dense forests: forbidden places one after another, strange incidents one after another, slowly come to light.

Mountains conceal darkness; waters hold grudges.

I am only a recorder. I write down every mysterious tale from the wilds of southern Shandong, stories too eerie for anyone to speak of aloud.