Niushou Mountain: Encounter a Millennium of Buddhist Heritage

Niushou Mountain in Nanjing, a Buddhist sanctuary built with huge investment, what's its magic? Today, we'll take you on an immersive journey to experience its charm. 🧳Preparation before Departure: - Documents: Bring your ID card. If you qualify for discounts, bring relevant documents such as student ID, senior citizen card, or disability certificate to save money. - Clothing: Light jackets are suitable for spring. Niushou Mountain is lush and green in spring, perfect for photos. In summer, take sun protection measures, bring sun-protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses. The temperature difference between day and night is significant in autumn, so bring a light sweater. In winter, bundle up in thick cotton-padded clothes, scarves, and gloves. - Items: Fully charge your phone and camera, bring chargers and power banks. Prepare sunscreen, skincare products as needed, and bring common medications in case of illness. 🚉Transportation Guide: External Transportation: - Airplane: After arriving at Nanjing Lukou International Airport, take Metro Line S1 (Airport Line) for about 30 minutes to Focheng Xilu Station. Walk for 15-20 minutes after exiting the station, or transfer to Bus No. 754 to the East Entrance Visitor Center of the scenic area. - Train: From Nanjing Railway Station, take Metro Line 1 for about 30 minutes to Ruanjian Dadao Station. Transfer to Bus No. 754 to Niushou Mountain Scenic Area East Station. From Nanjing South Railway Station, take Metro Line S1 for about 10 minutes to Focheng Xilu Station. Walk or transfer to a bus after exiting the station. - Car: Navigate directly to Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone. There are parking lots at the East and West Gates, with parking fees around 6 yuan/hour. Internal Transportation: - Sightseeing Bus: Highly recommended, 20 yuan/person, one ticket valid for the day, unlimited rides. The scenic area is large, and taking the sightseeing bus can save a lot of energy. - Walking: If you have good stamina, walking in some sections is also a good option. You can slowly appreciate the scenery along the way, but pay attention to reasonable planning of time and routes. 🌟Highlights and Features: Foding Palace: The core attraction of Niushou Mountain, its exterior resembles a "durian." Built using an abandoned mine, it has three floors above ground and six floors underground. The large and small domes have profound meanings. The Zen Garden, Sarira Hall, and Sarira Repository inside are awe-inspiring. The Buddha statues in the Thousand Buddha Hall and Ten Thousand Buddha Corridor are exquisite. The parietal bone relic of Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined here, the only one in the world, incredibly sacred. Foding Pagoda: The landmark building of the Foding Sacred Realm, nearly 88 meters high, with nine levels and four sides, in Tang Dynasty style. Climbing the pagoda offers a panoramic view of Niushou Mountain. The eighth floor houses a full-copper Foding Vajra Bell, engraved with the complete Diamond Sutra. The ninth floor enshrines a seated Vairocana Buddha. Foding Temple: Built in Tang Dynasty style, with a traditional central axis layout, it has seven halls. With a long history, it existed as early as the beginning of the Southern Dynasties. After the Northern Song Dynasty, it was renamed Hongjue Temple. It was destroyed in the war during the Southern Song Dynasty, revived in the Ming Dynasty, rebuilt in 2012, and completed in 2015. Hongjue Temple Pagoda: Located on the eastern foot of Niushou Mountain, it is said that Emperor Daizong of Tang, Li Yu, "built it after a dream." Rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty, the pagoda is 45 meters high, with seven levels and eight sides. It is the oldest existing imitation-wood brick pagoda in Nanjing, with a history of over 1,300 years. The inscription on the pagoda was written by Liu Yuxi. It was listed as a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relic Protection Unit in 1957. 🏨Accommodation Recommendations: Hotels near Niushou Mountain: Budget hotels and resort hotels are available, with moderate prices and convenient transportation, suitable for budget-conscious travelers or those with tight schedules. Some hotels also provide shuttle services. Hotels in Nanjing City: If you want to experience Nanjing's city nightlife, choose a hotel in the city center. Transportation is convenient, and facilities are complete, but you need to allow time for traveling to and from Niushou Mountain. 🍽Dining Recommendations: Vegetarian Cuisine: There is a vegetarian restaurant in the Niushou Mountain Scenic Area. The dishes are exquisite, the ingredients are fresh, and the vegetarian goose, vegetarian ribs, etc., are both realistic in taste and appearance. Even those who are not vegetarian enthusiasts will be full of praise. Nanjing Specialty Snacks: After leaving the scenic area, you can try Nanjing specialties such as duck blood vermicelli soup, beef guotie, and plum blossom cakes. The soup is delicious, and each dish has its own unique flavor. 🗓Itinerary: One-Day Tour: It is recommended to enter from the West Gate (fewer people, closer to Foding Palace), take the sightseeing bus directly to Foding Palace, visit Foding Palace (at least 2-3 hours, including the underground palace, Thousand Buddha Hall, Ten Thousand Buddha Corridor, etc.), then go to Foding Pagoda, climb the tower for a distant view, then visit Foding Temple, and finally, you can stroll along Yinlong Lake Zen Forest Road and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Two-Day Tour: Arrive at a hotel near the scenic area in the afternoon of Day 1. You can stroll around the area in the evening and enjoy the food. Enter from the East Gate on the morning of Day 2, purchase a sightseeing bus ticket, and visit Tianque Station, Foding Sacred Realm, Wuyou Corridor, Foding Pagoda Square, and Foding Pagoda in turn. In the afternoon, go to Foding Palace, Hongjue Temple Pagoda, and Niutou Zen Culture Park. Return to the city in the evening to experience Nanjing's nightlife. 🎫Tickets: Full price tickets are 160 yuan/person. Purchase online one day in advance for a discounted price of 145 yuan/person. Enter the park by swiping your ID card. Opening Hours: 8:30 - 17:30. Entry stops after 16:30. Foding Palace closes at 17:00. Please plan your time accordingly. Photography: The durian poolside of Foding Palace, the palace corridors, and the 4th-floor exhibition stand in the underground palace are all great places for taking photos. Be careful not to disturb others or the normal visiting order. Worshiping Buddha: Respect religious beliefs and temple rules. Do not touch Buddha statues and cultural relics at will. Keep quiet. Niushou Mountain is truly a treasure scenic area integrating natural scenery, historical culture, and Buddhist heritage. Whether you are a photography enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a place to relax, this place can satisfy you. Come to Niushou Mountain and embark on a journey that will touch your soul!