Wutai Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)

When you step into Wutai Mountain, your feelings will be greatly improved. You feel refreshed, cool and cool, itchy your heart, the air is clear, your eyes are cool, the sky is so blue. The blue is thorough and thorough, and it is dotted with the white and white clouds. The heart is bursting with tears. Unconsciously, the tears soaked in the eyes, and the inexplicable excitement is beyond words. Inside and outside the temple, cigarettes are lingering, and there is a mysterious and solemn atmosphere everywhere. A group of people came and went again with piety and confusion. Throughout the Wutai Mountains, the rafts, the gullies, the valleys and rivers, the forests and the mountains, the basins and the mountains are interlaced, the temples and temples are intertwined with each other, the scenery is picturesque, the peculiar peaks and cliffs, the sturdy and ancient pines and cypresses, and the overflowing Yunshan foggy sea. The magnificent temple towers and the larchs strolling through the mountains are built into a splendid world, forming a beautiful place with bright colors, suitable for people to browse and summer.

Wow! Haven't you been to this place in Shanxi yet?

Buddies😃, today I'm going to bring you a super detailed Shanxi travel guide for June🎈, to let you feel the unique charm of Shanxi😎! First, let's understand the geographical location👀: Shanxi is located in the North China region of our great China😜, which is one of the birthplaces of the Chinese nation👍. 🌈Let's talk about the local features😎: The historical and cultural heritage here is rich👏, the natural scenery is unbelievably beautiful🌅, and there are various mouth-watering local delicacies😋. 💃Plan the travel route🤔: Start from Taiyuan🚩, and visit famous attractions such as Pingyao Ancient City👣, Mount Wutai🧐, Yungang Grottoes🤩, Hukou Waterfall👀, etc.🤗. 👍Must-visit attractions not to be missed: 🏯Pingyao Ancient City🤩: The admission is free here😃! Strolling through the quaint streets🚶♀️, it's like traveling back to ancient times😜. There are various local snacks in the ancient city🍡, eating while walking, it's simply too comfortable😎! ⛰Mount Wutai👏: A Buddhist holy land🙏, filled with tranquility and solemnity🤫. 🌸Yungang Grottoes😲: A treasure of ancient Chinese grotto art👏, each Buddha statue is astonishing👍. 🏞Hukou Waterfall😆: The momentum and the scene are really super spectacular👍! 🌳Jinci Temple🤓: Admire the beauty of ancient architecture🤩, feel the charm of history😎. 🛕Wang's Grand Courtyard🥳: Grand scale👍, exquisite architecture🤩. 🌄Mount Heng🤗: The scenery is beautiful🤩, climb high and look far🧐, the beautiful view is all in sight👀. 🎯The characteristics of each attraction: Pingyao Ancient City: Quaint streets😜, full of life atmosphere👀; and various local snacks🍢, making you eat non-stop😋. Mount Wutai: Many temples🙏, where you can pray sincerely🙏. Yungang Grottoes: Exquisite grotto art👏, showing the charm of ancient culture🤩. Hukou Waterfall: The sound of the waterfall is thunderous👂, the mist is pervasive😮, the scene is super shocking😆. Jinci Temple: Unique ancient architectural style😉, long history🤓. Wang's Grand Courtyard: Well-preserved courtyard👍, reflecting the traditional architectural style of Shanxi🤩. Mount Heng: Beautiful natural scenery🤩, fresh air🤗. 👗Personal travel tips to remember: Don't skimp on sun protection👒, arrange for sun umbrellas🌂, sunscreen🧴, etc.🤗. Comfortable shoes👟 are important🤔, otherwise, your feet will protest after a long walk😣. Learn some historical and cultural knowledge in advance📖, so you will feel more when appreciating the attractions👀. Pay attention to environmental protection🌳, take care of the beautiful scenery👏. 🎉Local food street recommendations: Taiyuan Food Street: A dazzling array of delicacies😍, the average consumption is also quite moderate😎. Pingyao Ancient City Snack Street: Authentic Pingyao food waiting for you to taste😋, affordably priced👍. Mount Wutai Food Street: Experience the special food of the Buddhist holy land🤩. Datong Antique Street: A variety of delicacies👏, there must be something you like😜. Yuci Old Town Food Street: Various snacks to satisfy your cravings🤗. 😍To sum up: Shanxi is really a great place worth visiting👏👏👏! Rich historical culture👀, beautiful natural scenery🤩, delicious local food😋, will definitely make you linger and forget to return🥳🥳🥳!

There is not just one mountain here, but a group of peaks

Mount Wutai, located in Shanxi, ranks first among the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, known as 'Golden Wutai', and is the sacred place of Manjushri Bodhisattva. Mount Wutai is not a single mountain, it is a series of peaks situated on the 'Ridge of North China', with the highest point at an altitude of 3061 meters. In June 2009, Mount Wutai was inscribed on the list of World Cultural Heritage. If you can't find the direction, just go out for a walk, the answer may be on the way.

Mount Wutai is a must-see attraction!!

Mount Wutai!! Truly breathtaking beauty!! With beautiful foxes and cows! The Dongtai Peak even has the heavenly Wanghai Temple that seems like a paradise on earth!! Highly recommended!! Don't miss it!! Summer is really the perfect time to visit Mount Wutai! The weather in the mountains, over 10 degrees Celsius, completely blew my mind! Below is a two-day and one-night self-driving travel guide to Mount Wutai~ Mainly for praying and playing, the itinerary is quite relaxed and spontaneous For those driving themselves, remember to make a vehicle reservation at the "Mount Wutai Tourist Service Center" in advance! Otherwise, you can't drive into the scenic area~ which is very inconvenient! Accommodation: Homestays within the scenic area Itinerary: DAY: Arrive at noon, you can eat outside the scenic area first~ There are many small restaurants to choose from, after entering the scenic area · Baohua Temple, drive all the way to the end, there are so many cute little lambs 🐑 at the entrance, so adorable~ · Bodhisattva Peak, 10r/person, a royal temple with extraordinary grandeur! · Longquan Temple, you can drink spring water in the temple! Many people bought big buckets I, inexperienced, queued for a long time and only got a small bottle~ The water is ice-cold! I really love the architecture of Longquan Temple, it's exquisitely beautiful. By the time we left, it was already 6:00, check into the homestay, have dinner and rest~ You can drive to a nearby creek to play in the water!! DAY: · Wuye Temple, arrive on an empty stomach by car at 8:00 (Parking at Wuye Temple is difficult!! It is recommended to park nearby and walk) After coming out, check out the only vegetarian Dicos in the country! (Feels even better than the meat ones, how is that possible!! Highly recommended!) · Dailuo Peak, 8r/person, climb up and take the cable car down, the scenery at the top is unbeatably beautiful~ · Dongtai Peak, you must, must, must go! The most shocking part of the entire Mount Wutai scenic area was Dongtai Peak! When we went, it was partly cloudy and sunny, and we saw a sea of clouds so beautiful I was speechless! · Wanghai Temple, just climb up and you'll reach Wanghai Temple! I didn't expect such a large temple on the mountain top! Floating in the clouds! The misty clouds gave everyone the illusion of having arrived in heaven 😭 It's really, really, really celestial! So grand! It was worth the several hours of climbing! (Elderly and children can take a shuttle bus back and forth) We descended around 4:00, you can directly leave the scenic area from Dongtai Peak and head back~ Had knife-cut noodles on the way! (Restaurants in Shanxi are generally closed from 2-6 pm!!! Almost couldn't find food!!) Arrived in Tianjin at 9:00. tips: The altitude is high in the mountains! The air is thin! Pay attention to sun protection!! Sun protection! Even on cloudy days you can get sunburned! Bring a thick coat! A thick coat! I brought a light spring/autumn jacket, but still felt cold at Dongtai Peak! Bring enough dry food! Food, drinks, energy bars!!! Replenish your energy in time~ Lastly May all your wishes come true

China's foremost national treasure—the East Great Hall of Foguang Temple

Japanese scholars once unreasonably clamored that 'there are no wooden structures from the Tang Dynasty or earlier on Chinese soil.' Liang Sicheng traveled across much of China and identified the Great Foguang Temple in Shanxi as a relic of Tang Dynasty architecture, shattering the claim that one must go to Japan to see Tang Dynasty buildings. Foguang Temple is a gem of ancient Chinese architecture and holds an important place in the history of world architecture. Liang Sicheng joyfully exclaimed: 'This is the only Tang Dynasty wooden structure we have encountered in our years of searching. Not only that, within this very hall, we found Tang Dynasty paintings, Tang Dynasty calligraphy, Tang Dynasty sculpture, and Tang Dynasty architecture. They are rare treasures, but together they are uniquely unparalleled.' He also said: 'The grandeur of the chessboard-like layout, the profound depth of the eaves, the gentle slope of the roof, stable and majestic, containing infinite strength, are quite sufficient to represent the vitality of the era that was just beginning to wane.' He praised it with the high accolade of 'China's first national treasure.' Foguang Temple was founded during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. During the Huichang period of Emperor Wuzong of Tang, Buddhism was suppressed, and the Maitreya Pavilion and all the halls were destroyed in an instant, with only the Northern Qi Ancestral Master's Pagoda and several surrounding tomb pagodas surviving. After Emperor Xuanzong of Tang ascended the throne and revived Buddhism, in the eleventh year of Dazhong (857), the monk Yuanjie raised funds to rebuild Foguang Temple on the original site. The existing East Great Hall was reconstructed with the donations from Ning Gongyu, the favored wife of the eunuch Wang Shoucheng from Kyoto. The Tang Dynasty stele in front of the hall and the four beams in the north side room both mention 'Donated by Ning Gongyu, a female disciple,' mutually corroborating each other. 📍 Address: 50 meters east of Z051, Doucun Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province 🈺 Opening Hours: 8:30-16:30

Shanxi Ancient Architecture Treasure | Foguang Temple, the Chinese Aesthetics Originating from the Tang Dynasty

Those who love ancient architecture must visit Shanxi more often, as the province alone upholds half of China's ancient architectural heritage. The surviving ancient buildings cover various historical dynasties, truly making it a 'Treasury of Ancient Chinese Architecture'. Getting to know Shanxi's Xinzhou starts with the Buddhist holy land of Mount Wutai, but Xinzhou is not just about Mount Wutai. The only three remaining Tang dynasty wooden structures in China, Foguang Temple, Nanchan Temple, and Guangrenwang Temple, are all located in Shanxi, with both Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple in Xinzhou. Although Foguang Temple is located in Wutai County, Xinzhou, it is not part of the Mount Wutai scenic area and is situated in a more remote and tranquil location. The entire temple complex is built against the mountain, with three levels. Inside the temple, not only is there the East Great Hall built during the late Tang Dynasty, but also the Manjusri Hall from the Jin Dynasty, an ancient pagoda from the Northern Wei Dynasty, and many Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, making it a historical architectural complex that spans across time. 👉Recommended attractions: 🔸East Great Hall: Built on a three-tiered platform, it is the earliest Tang dynasty wooden structure discovered by Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, and the existing largest hall-style wooden structure. The hall is seven bays wide, with huge bracket sets extending three meters from the eaves. Looking up, the grandeur is overwhelming, and I couldn't capture it all with a wide-angle lens. This Tang dynasty building, along with the Tang dynasty murals, colored sculptures, and inscriptions inside the hall, were collectively referred to as the 'Four Excellences' by Liang Sicheng. 🔸Manjusri Hall: Located on the first level platform, it is a Jin dynasty building, with the Buddha statues and murals inside restored during the Ming dynasty. This shows that Foguang Temple's preservation to this day owes much to the attention and protection it received from successive dynasties. 🔸Ancestral Master Pagoda: Foguang Temple was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty and was destroyed twice, leaving only this ancient Northern Wei pagoda as evidence. 🔸Ancient Pines: In front of the East Great Hall, there are two ancient pines over a thousand years old, standing 30 meters tall like a large screen hiding the East Great Hall behind them. On the side of the Foguang Temple gate, there is a unique lying pine, to which locals have tied many red ropes as a sign of reverence. 🕑Opening hours: 8:30-16:30 🎫Ticket price: 40 yuan, guided tour service available for a fee. 🚗Transportation: Located in a remote mountain area, suitable for self-driving, about 100 kilometers from Xinzhou, a 2-hour drive, with good overall road conditions, and a parking lot below the temple.

This is the most spectacular Jin Dynasty hanging eave hall I have ever seen!

I remember that as the main hall, the roof style is mostly hip-and-gable, with a few being shed roofs, but the Fengxian Temple in Jiyuan has taken a different path, constructing the roof of the Sanqing Hall, which is a five-bay main hall, into a hanging eave style, a style usually found in side halls or lesser halls, making Fengxian Temple a most unique existence! Jiyuan, as one of the small cities with a dense concentration of ancient Chinese architecture, naturally has the Fengxian Temple, a historical site I could not miss on my visit to Jiyuan. The Sanqing Hall of Fengxian Temple, originally built during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt in the 24th year of the Dading era of the Jin Dynasty (1184 AD), is one of the three oldest and most authentic wooden structures in Henan, with a width of five bays and a depth of seven rafters. The large stone columns are topped with huge bracket sets, and due to its five-bay volume, its wind boards (Figure 3, located at the ends of the roof extending from the gable walls, made of wooden strips nailed to the top of the purlins forming a herringbone pattern as shown in the picture, serving both to protect against wind and snow and to cover the ends of the rafters) are exceptionally large. When I came to the side of the hall, I was truly shocked; this was the first time I had seen such a huge wind board. The Sanqing Hall also has several architectural features: First, it is early in date and high in purity. The Fengxian Temple's Sanqing Hall we see today was rebuilt in 1184 AD, and there are very few buildings like the Sanqing Hall from the Song and Jin periods left in the country. High purity means that the entire hall is well-preserved, with its wood and stone materials largely retained from the Song and Jin dynasties to the present, compared to buildings that were extensively renovated during the Ming and Qing dynasties, its 'gold content' is very high. Second, it uses a column-reducing method, with a clever design. The hall was originally supposed to be supported by eight columns, but in reality, only two are used. Third, the materials used are huge and varied, with many components bearing labels indicating the use of woods such as chaste tree, persimmon, jujube, and mulberry. The size of the chaste tree and persimmon beams, and the jujube and mulberry columns are very rare. Mr. Liang Sicheng, a famous Chinese architect, commented after visiting the Sanqing Hall of Fengxian Temple: 'The technique is bold and the ideas are extraordinary.' The Wutai Mountain Foguang Temple's Manjusri Hall, which is famous for its column-reducing construction method, has seven bays and uses four columns, while the Sanqing Hall has five bays and uses two columns. In terms of the column-reducing technique, the Sanqing Hall of Fengxian Temple is even better than the Manjusri Hall.

Shanxi - Recommended Destination for May Day - Foguang Temple

A millennium of time, Shanxi's second day. At Foguang Temple, one can feel the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty, with the ancient trees at the entrance of the East Great Hall, millennium-old murals, ancient pagodas, what have they experienced and what have they seen? The timing is perfect as the lilacs are blooming. Take a deep breath under the ancient trees, trying to take away some of the aura. Involuntarily, one makes a wish for the nation's peace and people's safety in the East Great Hall, as if only then does one deserve its status. May it last for another thousand years.

Mount Wutai is a must-see attraction!!

Mount Wutai!! Truly breathtaking beauty!! With beautiful foxes and cows! The Dongtai Peak even has the heavenly Wanghai Temple that seems like a paradise on earth!! Highly recommended!! Don't miss it!! Summer is really the perfect time to visit Mount Wutai! The weather in the mountains, over 10 degrees Celsius, completely blew my mind! Below is a two-day and one-night self-driving travel guide to Mount Wutai~ Mainly for praying and playing, the itinerary is quite relaxed and spontaneous For those driving themselves, remember to make a vehicle reservation at the "Mount Wutai Tourist Service Center" in advance! Otherwise, you can't drive into the scenic area~ which is very inconvenient! Accommodation: Homestays within the scenic area Itinerary: DAY: Arrive at noon, you can eat outside the scenic area first~ There are many small restaurants to choose from, after entering the scenic area · Baohua Temple, drive all the way to the end, there are so many cute little lambs 🐑 at the entrance, so adorable~ · Bodhisattva Peak, 10r/person, a royal temple with extraordinary grandeur! · Longquan Temple, you can drink spring water in the temple! Many people bought big buckets I, inexperienced, queued for a long time and only got a small bottle~ The water is ice-cold! I really love the architecture of Longquan Temple, it's exquisitely beautiful. By the time we left, it was already 6:00, check into the homestay, have dinner and rest~ You can drive to a nearby creek to play in the water!! DAY: · Wuye Temple, arrive on an empty stomach by car at 8:00 (Parking at Wuye Temple is difficult!! It is recommended to park nearby and walk) After coming out, check out the only vegetarian Dicos in the country! (Feels even better than the meat ones, how is that possible!! Highly recommended!) · Dailuo Peak, 8r/person, climb up and take the cable car down, the scenery at the top is unbeatably beautiful~ · Dongtai Peak, you must, must, must go! The most shocking part of the entire Mount Wutai scenic area was Dongtai Peak! When we went, it was partly cloudy and sunny, and we saw a sea of clouds so beautiful I was speechless! · Wanghai Temple, just climb up and you'll reach Wanghai Temple! I didn't expect such a large temple on the mountain top! Floating in the clouds! The misty clouds gave everyone the illusion of having arrived in heaven 😭 It's really, really, really celestial! So grand! It was worth the several hours of climbing! (Elderly and children can take a shuttle bus back and forth) We descended around 4:00, you can directly leave the scenic area from Dongtai Peak and head back~ Had knife-cut noodles on the way! (Restaurants in Shanxi are generally closed from 2-6 pm!!! Almost couldn't find food!!) Arrived in Tianjin at 9:00. tips: The altitude is high in the mountains! The air is thin! Pay attention to sun protection!! Sun protection! Even on cloudy days you can get sunburned! Bring a thick coat! A thick coat! I brought a light spring/autumn jacket, but still felt cold at Dongtai Peak! Bring enough dry food! Food, drinks, energy bars!!! Replenish your energy in time~ Lastly May all your wishes come true

Three-day Buddhist Enlightenment Tour of Mount Wutai

📆【Travel Guide】 📆Itinerary: Day 1: Taiyuan—>Mount Wutai, visit: Zunsheng Temple, Qingliang Temple, Jinge Temple Day 2: Visit: Nanshan Temple, Bodhisattva Summit, Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, Shuxiang Temple, Wuye Temple Day 3: Visit: Zhenhai Temple, Mount Wutai—>Taiyuan 🚗Transportation Guide: 1. Mount Wutai has an airport located in Dingxiang County, Xinzhou City, with airport shuttle buses going directly to the Mount Wutai scenic area 2. More people travel to Mount Wutai via Taiyuan. Taiyuan Wusu Airport has direct round-trip shuttle buses to the Mount Wutai scenic area, with a one-way trip taking 2.5 hours, using SAIC Maxus 9-seater MPVs. 3. Inside the Mount Wutai Scenic Area, there is Bus No. 8: Dailuo Peak<—>Tourist Center, connecting many attractions, with very frequent services. 🌟Highlights of the Itinerary: Mount Wutai is truly a Buddhist holy land with numerous temples. Below are the highlights of the temples I have visited: 1. Zunsheng Temple: Strictly speaking, Zunsheng Temple is not part of the Mount Wutai Scenic Area, but it is the first temple that pilgrims reached when they entered the mountain in ancient times, hence the plaque at the temple entrance reads: 'Throat of the Five Peaks' 2. Qingliang Temple: Allegedly the place where Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty became a monk. There is a 'Cooling Stone' in the temple, and there is a legend about the origin of the Cooling Stone, which you can search for if interested. 3. Jinge Temple: The only Guanyin Bodhisattva temple in Mount Wutai, with a 19-meter-tall, 42-armed Guanyin Buddha statue, as well as a reclining Buddha. 4. Nanshan Temple: The temple has exquisite brick and stone carvings, and the Yu Guo Temple side hall has a crystal carved Guanyin statue, which is delicate and transparent. 5. Bodhisattva Summit: A royal temple of the Qing Dynasty Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong emperors, with several imperial steles. 6. Xiantong Temple: The first temple of Mount Wutai, with a white beamless hall and a golden copper hall. 7. Tayuan Temple: The iconic building of Mount Wutai: the Great White Pagoda (unfortunately, it is currently under renovation) 8. Shuxiang Temple: The main court of Manjushri Bodhisattva, housing the largest seated statue of Manjushri Bodhisattva in Mount Wutai 9. Wuye Temple: Also known as the Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion, it enshrines the fifth son of the Dragon King. For the story of why the fifth son of the Dragon King is worshipped, please refer to the legend of the Cooling Stone in Qingliang Temple. Wuye Temple is the most efficacious temple for making wishes. 10. Zhenhai Temple: A Gelug sect Tibetan Buddhism temple 📌Small Tips: 1. The scenic area of Mount Wutai usually refers to the area within the five peaks of Mount Wutai (East Peak, West Peak, South Peak, North Peak, Central Peak), while Dailuo Peak, Bodhisattva Summit, Tayuan Temple, Shuxiang Temple, etc., are the core areas of the scenic area, centered around Taihuai Town. These core area temples can be reached by Bus No. 8 in the scenic area. 2. The area outside the five peaks of Mount Wutai, called 'Taiwai', includes national treasure-level buildings: Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple, which are currently most conveniently reached by chartered car. 3. Private cars are currently allowed to enter the scenic area, and most temples can be reached by self-driving, with small parking lots at the temple entrances. 4. Bodhisattva Summit—>Xiantong Temple—>Tayuan Temple—>Wuye Temple—>Shuxiang Temple, these five temples are very close to each other and can be visited in succession, accessible by walking.

Mount Wutai, the gateway to the Buddhist holy land in Shanxi

✨✨ Located in the northeast of Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, Mount Wutai is the foremost among China's four famous Buddhist mountains, a holy land where Esoteric and Exoteric Buddhism coexist, and the sacred place of Manjushri Bodhisattva, who presides over wisdom. Today, I will share with you a detailed guide to a one-day tour of Mount Wutai. 1. Transportation🚖 Mount Wutai Airport is about 100 kilometers away from the scenic area, and Taiyuan Wusu Airport is 240 kilometers away. To get to Mount Wutai scenic area from Taiyuan, you need to go to Taiyuan East Bus Station to take a coach. 2. Tour Route🚸 Morning: Visit the most efficacious Wuye Temple for making wishes, the ancestral temple of Manjushri - Shuxiang Temple, the landmark temple Tayuan Temple, and Xiantong Temple, the first temple to be established on Mount Wutai. Afternoon: Pay homage to the Wufang Manjushri on the top of Dailuo Peak, known as the 'Small Pilgrimage'. 3. Temple Introduction🙏🏻 【Wuye Temple】 Wuye Temple is the most popular temple on Mount Wutai. Originally a small temple belonging to Tayuan Temple, it became the most incense-burning temple on Mount Wutai due to the 'Wuye's' reputation for granting whatever is asked. As the saying goes, 'It's not the height of the mountain that makes it divine, but the presence of immortals; it's not the depth of the water that makes it divine, but the presence of dragons.' 【Shuxiang Temple】 Shuxiang Temple is the ancestral temple of Manjushri on Mount Wutai. The Great Manjushri Hall in the temple houses the largest statue of Manjushri on Mount Wutai. Manjushri Bodhisattva, who governs wisdom, is known as the teacher of Buddhas and has taught seven Buddhas, which speaks volumes about the vastness of Manjushri's wisdom. 【Xiantong Temple】 Xiantong Temple is the earliest and largest temple on Mount Wutai. Two thousand years ago, during the Yongping period of the Eastern Han Dynasty, two high monks, She Moteng and Zhu Falan, built China's first temple - White Horse Temple - on the outskirts of the then capital, Luoyang. Xiantong Temple on Mount Wutai was built by these two monks after they came to Mount Wutai, making it the second temple on Chinese soil. 【Tayuan Temple】 In many people's minds, Mount Wutai is associated with a majestic and tall White Pagoda. This pagoda, officially named the Sakyamuni Relic Pagoda, was built during the Ming Dynasty's Wanli era. Standing at 56.3 meters, it is a landmark of Mount Wutai. The temple where this pagoda is located is called Tayuan Temple, and as the name suggests, the temple is named after the pagoda. 【Dailuo Peak】 Dailuo Peak is located on a small mountain peak to the east of Taihuai Town. Ascending the 1080 steps of the 'Great Wisdom Path' from the foot of the mountain, you can worship the Wufang Manjushri Hall on the top of Dailuo Peak. The hall enshrines Manjushri from the east, west, south, north, and center, equivalent to paying homage to the Manjushri of the five peaks of Mount Wutai, hence the name 'Small Pilgrimage'. 4. Cost💰 Ticket: The entrance fee is 135 yuan. If you reserve a ticket through the 'Holy Land Service' official WeChat account, you will receive free explanations at three temples, free admission to Wuye Temple, Shuxiang Temple, 10 yuan for Bodhisattva Peak, 10 yuan for Xiantong Temple, 8 yuan for Dailuo Peak, and 10 yuan for Tayuan Temple. Reserve tickets and parking spaces through the 'Holy Land Service' official WeChat account, and you will receive free explanations at three temples

Exploring Mount Wutai: A Journey of Mystical Temples and Efficacious Prayers

Mount Wutai, a sacred Buddhist site, attracts countless devotees and tourists with its long history and profound religious culture. Let us embark on this spiritual journey, exploring the legendary temples and experiencing the unique blessings. Day One Itinerary: - Wuye Temple: Renowned as the most prosperous place for seeking wealth, opens at 7 am in summer and 7:30 am in winter. Devotees queue overnight to be the first to offer incense, silently chanting mantras to show sincerity. - Tayuan Temple: Circling the white stupa clockwise is a traditional ritual for praying for blessings. - Xiantong Temple: As the foremost of Mount Wutai's five major Zen sites, it carries a wealth of Buddhist culture. - Bodhisattva Summit: The glory of the royal Tibetan monastery is awe-inspiring every morning. - Dailuo Temple: Climbing 1080 steps to the Xiaochaotai for a different kind of spiritual baptism (cable car available in winter). Day Two Itinerary: - Dongtai Wanghaifeng Sunrise: Ascend to the top to witness the magnificent sunrise and feel the awe-inspiring power of nature. - Shuxiang Temple: Home to the world's largest statue of Manjushri, the guardian of wisdom and academics. - Fanxian Mountain: Climbing it offers a panoramic view of the entire core area's temples, an excellent place for seeking marriage. About Vegetarian Meals: Guanghua Temple and Puhua Temple serve delicious vegetarian food daily to help purify the body and mind, fostering wisdom and compassion. Transportation and Accommodation: You can opt for a private car or book a shuttle to the scenic area. Recommended accommodation is near Guanghua Temple for easy access to all major attractions. Special Tips: Do not miss the sunrise at Dongtai, one of the most spectacular natural beauties of Mount Wutai. As the sun rises from the peak of 2796 meters, thousands of golden rays fall upon the sea of clouds, with snow peaks and golden temples reflecting each other's glory, offering a spiritual baptism and a visual feast. Please bring your devotion and expectations, Mount Wutai awaits your arrival, wishing your spiritual journey to be filled with tranquility and harmony.

Mount Wutai Super Practical Travel Guide

Hi there, buddies! Today, let's talk about some travel tips for Mount Wutai. This mountain in Shanxi is not only beautiful but also has a strong Buddhist cultural atmosphere✨. 🚌 Convenient Transportation Whether you're starting from Taiyuan or Datong, you can get there directly by high-speed train or long-distance bus, which is super convenient. Once you're there, chartering a car, renting one, or taking a taxi are all good choices. 🏠 A Variety of Accommodation Options There are various accommodation options here, from temples to hotels, suitable for different budgets and preferences. Remember to book in advance to avoid the place being fully booked. 🌸 Best Time to Visit Spring and autumn are the golden seasons here, with fantastic weather and breathtaking scenery. 🕌 Must-Visit Attractions - Wuye Temple: The incense is thriving, not to be missed. - East Peak: Overlooking all the smaller mountains, with clouds rolling like the sea. - Dai Liao Top: A Buddhist holy place, purifying the soul. - South Zen Temple and North Zen Temple: Ancient and tranquil, offering a peaceful retreat. ⚠️ Precautions - Respect local customs and protect cultural heritage. - Prepare sunscreen and rain gear to deal with changeable weather. - Follow the rules of the scenic area, safety first. I personally really like the combination of nature and culture here, and every visit brings different gains and insights. Do you have similar travel experiences? Come and share!

Wutai Mountain - Foguang Temple 2-Day Tour Transportation Guide (Non-Self-Driving)

Unlocked a pretty good route during the May Day holiday. It saves both money and time, recommended for solo travelers! Taiyuan - Wutai Mountain Scenic Area Carpool Wutai Mountain Scenic Area Free Shuttle Bus It's convenient to take the bus to various temples within the scenic area, especially if you stay close to the main road. You can also walk, which is about two to three kilometers. Wutai Mountain - Wutai County Ruchun Village Bus Make sure to contact in advance to confirm the bus schedule, just wait at the station. There might be only two buses a day. It costs 25 yuan, and takes about an hour and a half. I met up with the chartered driver when I arrived at Ruchun Village. Ruchun Village - Foguang Temple - Nanchan Temple - Dongye Chartered Car There are many drivers along this line, but not many can plan the most suitable route for you. My driver arranged everything clearly. And since I visited fewer places, the chartered car fee was relatively cheap. Dongye - Taiyuan Bus The bus also has a schedule, and the driver knows it, so we just waited at the pick-up point in advance. But the seats are limited when leaving from Wutai County, and I just happened to get the last one. It costs 46 yuan, 2 hours. Other tips: If staying within Wutai Mountain Scenic Area, Yangbaiyu Village is recommended, with more dining and lodging options, convenient for taking the bus to the core area, and also walkable. The vegetarian meal at Puhua Temple starts at 11 am. The cable car to Luotai Peak was not operating during the May Day holiday, so climbing was the only option. Other climbs include Bodhisattva Peak and Fanxian Mountain. Generally speaking, the scenic area of Wutai Mountain gets less crowded after 3 pm, and the morning is the busiest time. For most tourists, one day is enough to cover the core scenic area of Wutai Mountain. Overall, if you can drive yourself, it's much more convenient. Make sure to book your vehicle in advance to enter the scenic area.

As agile as a bird, as swift as an arrow | Jinbei's Nanchan Temple & Foguang Temple

With an endless stream of tourists and study groups, Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple at the southern foot of Mount Wutai have become pilgrimage sites, simply because they house the two oldest wooden structures from the Tang Dynasty in China. The photos may seem ordinary, but they exude a simple and grand atmosphere, showcasing the distinctive style of Tang Dynasty architecture! Nanchan Temple: The Great Buddha Hall was built in the third year of the Tang Dynasty's Jianzhong era (AD 782), making it over 1200 years old and the oldest existing wooden structure from the Tang Dynasty in China. It is also one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Although small in scale, the Great Buddha Hall is exquisitely crafted, with a simple technique that embodies the grand and minimalist artistic style of the Tang Dynasty. The temple houses 17 exquisite Tang Dynasty colored sculptures, which are considered treasures of Tang Dynasty sculpture art (photography is prohibited, and two Bodhisattva statues in front of the Great Buddha have been stolen). Foguang Temple: The temple's main hall, the East Great Hall, was completed in the eleventh year of the Tang Dynasty's Dazhong era (AD 857). In terms of construction date, it ranks third after the Nanchan Temple's main hall in Wutai County and the Guangrenwang Temple in Ruicheng County (AD 831) among the existing wooden structures in China, making it the most complete and largest of the existing Tang Dynasty wooden buildings. Foguang Temple's Tang Dynasty architecture, sculptures, murals, and inscriptions are all of high historical and artistic value, earning it the nickname 'The Four Excellences'. Tips: Gain knowledge - Liang Sicheng, Lin Huiyin, and Foguang Temple Not far from Nanchan Temple, Foguang Temple became world-famous because of Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin, turning it into a holy site for lovers of ancient architecture, paying tribute to the two masters. The discovery of Foguang Temple's Tang Dynasty structures is credited to the famous Chinese scholar Mr. Liang Sicheng. While reading Paul Pelliot's 'Dunhuang Grottoes Catalogue', Mr. Liang noticed the depiction of the 'Great Buddha's Light Temple' in Cave 61 (see 'Architect Liang Sicheng' by Lin Zhu) and was inspired. To verify the hypothesis that 'there must still be Tang structures in domestic temples', he made a special trip to Mount Wutai in Shanxi Province in 1937 to search for treasures. Mr. Liang personally wrote a detailed, specific, and vivid account of the inspection process of Foguang Temple's Tang Dynasty structures. I really want to sculpt a statue of myself here, to accompany this devout Tang Dynasty noblewoman, sitting cross-legged in this solemn and silent place for a thousand years. - Lin Huiyin Tips: Gain knowledge - Tang Dynasty Wooden Structures There are a total of three complete and two 'half' Tang Dynasty wooden structures preserved in the country, with three and a half of them in Shanxi. 1. The main hall of Guangrenwang Temple in Ruicheng; built in the sixth year of the Tang Dynasty's Dahui era (AD 832), near Yongle Palace. 2. The Great Buddha Hall of Nanchan Temple in Wutai; the earliest existing Tang Dynasty wooden structure. Built in the third year of the Tang Dynasty's Jianzhong era (AD 782). 3. The East Great Hall of Foguang Temple in Wutai; constructed in the eleventh year of the Tang Dynasty's Dazhong era, which is AD 857. From the beams to the doors and windows, it has been well-preserved for over a thousand years. Half: Tiantai An in Pingshun, Shanxi; its main wooden structure is from the late Tang Dynasty, specifically the fourth year of Tianyou (AD 907). Half: The bell tower inside Kaiyuan Temple in Zhengding, Hebei; its lower level is still the original Tang Dynasty structure, which is very precious.

Nanzhao Temple

Nanzhao Temple is located on the north bank of the Xiaoyin River in Yangbai Gully near Lijiazhuang in Yangbai Township, southwest of Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, 8 kilometers away from Dongye Town. It has a history of more than 1200 years. The temple faces south with its back to the north and covers an area of 3078 square meters. The main structures within the temple include the Mountain Gate (Guanyin Hall), the East and West Side Halls (Bodhisattva Hall and Dragon King Hall), and the Great Hall, forming a quadrangle courtyard-style complex. It is the earliest existing wooden structure in China and a key national cultural heritage site. The Great Hall is the oldest existing Tang Dynasty wooden structure in China. The Tang Dynasty sculptures in the temple are exquisite, considered to be treasures of Tang Dynasty sculptural art, and hold significant historical status and artistic value.

Datong in the Winter.

We stayed in Datong for 1 full day during January 2023. The temperature ranged between-10 and -20 so was pretty chilly and you need lots of layers. There are two main activities/ attractions in Datong, the Yungang Grottoes and The Hanging Temple. the Yungang Grottoes are close to the city about a 20min taxi from the centre and definitely worth a visit. The Hanging Temple is further away and requires a 1hr to 1hr and half taxi. Which our hotel helped organise. but this is definitely worth doing the Temple is just magical.#2023travelwish #datong

Yungang Grottoes

It’s a Buddhist cave-carving complex. All the statues are carved in caves or small grottoes. They are dated 5th and 6th centuries. It’s a UNESCO heritage and it’s amazingly beautiful! Statues really impress. Some of them are big like skyscrapers, some statues are very small, but cover the whole wall in the cave. The complex is big, you can walk around. There is a part with caves, but the other part of mountains is surrounded by beautiful natural landscape. You can walk in the park, or alone the river. You will spend at around 4 hours there, so food 🥢🥡 options are available on the territory. #bucketlistreboot

We visited these caves as well as the Longmen caves. Both are remarkable although Longmen has a greater “wow” factor. Keep in mind if you do go to Datong that it is a coal city and the air is often polluted. #wintergetaway #wintergetaway

Yungang grottoes is located near the city of Datong. It is a very common place for tourists who come to visit Datong, as it is easy to reach. Public bus will take around 40 minutes so it is quite convenient. Inside, you will see really massive statues from the history which are just beautiful. There is also a museum inside. #HalloTrip