Jiuhua Mountain: A Sacred Buddhist Pilgrimage Destination
Jiuhua Mountain, one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains, is a renowned site for pilgrims, dedicated to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the embodiment of boundless vows. As the saying goes, according to the esteemed monk Master Mengcan, one must cultivate the blessings of seven lifetimes to be worthy of visiting Jiuhua Mountain. Many Buddhist devotees dream of making a pilgrimage to Jiuhua, but with so many temples and a complex network of routes, first-time visitors often feel uncertain about how to navigate the mountain. In this guide, we’ll provide detailed information to help you plan your journey.
Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains:
| Mountain | Location | Deity | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Wutai | Shanxi Province | Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) | Known for its five flat peaks, symbolizing the wisdom of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. A major pilgrimage site for both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhists. |
| Mount Emei | Sichuan Province | Samantabhadra (Puxian) | Associated with the Bodhisattva of universal virtue. Famous for its scenic beauty and the Golden Buddha statue atop the summit. |
| Mount Putuo | Zhejiang Province | Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) | Dedicated to Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy. A serene island mountain with numerous temples, known as a major center for meditation and compassion. |
| Mount Jiuhua | Anhui Province | Ksitigarbha (Dizang) | Revered for its 99 temples and dedicated to Ksitigarbha, the Bodhisattva of Hell Beings. Popular for afterlife blessings and spiritual devotion. |
Each of these mountains is not only a sacred site but also a natural haven for pilgrims seeking enlightenment and connection with the divine.
How to Reach Jiuhua Mountain
By High-Speed Train (Jiuhua Mountain Station)
Jiuhua Mountain Station is located in Rongcheng Town, Qian County, about 20 kilometers from the Jiuhua Mountain Tourist Service Center. At the train station, you’ll find a tourist service point where you can purchase tickets, including an all-in-one scenic area transport pass (50 RMB). From there, take a free shuttle bus (20 km, 25 minutes) to the Jiuhua Mountain Tourist Service Center. Once at the center, you can transfer to the scenic area bus that takes you up the mountain.
Route:
Jiuhua Mountain Station → Jiuhua Mountain Tourist Service Center → Scenic Area Bus to the Mountain
By Air (Chizhou Jiuhua Mountain Airport)
Chizhou Jiuhua Mountain Airport is about 50 kilometers from Jiuhua Mountain. Inside the terminal, there is a Jiuhua Mountain tourism service center offering ticket services. There are also direct buses from the airport to the Jiuhua Mountain Scenic Area, with departures approximately 20 minutes after landing. The journey takes about one hour.
Key Scenic Areas of Jiuhua Mountain
Jiuhua Mountain spans a large area, and it’s impossible to fully explore it in just one day. The mountain features four core scenic zones: Jiuhua Street, Baisui Palace, Tiantai, and Huatai. The mountain’s peaks are stunning, with nine main peaks resembling lotus flowers. There are 99 temples on the mountain, including 9 national key temples and more than 30 provincial key temples. These temples are connected by stone-paved paths that weave through streets and alleys, creating a serene, lotus-filled Buddhist atmosphere.
Jiuhua Mountain 2-Day Pilgrimage Tour Itinerary
Jiuhua Mountain is a sacred site for Buddhist pilgrims, offering stunning temples and scenic beauty. For those who have two days to explore, here’s a recommended itinerary to help you experience the essential highlights of the mountain.
Day 1: Key Temples and Scenic Views
- Qiyuan Temple → Fahua Temple → Huacheng Temple → Changsheng Hermitage → Upper Chan Hall → Shengong Hall → Hui Xiang Pavilion → Dongya Chan Temple → Baisui Palace → Return to Jiuhua Street
On Day 1, you’ll explore the major temples and landmarks along Jiuhua Street, starting with the ancient Qiyuan Temple and moving through Fahua Temple and Huacheng Temple, each with rich Buddhist history. Finish the day with a visit to Baisui Palace, before returning to Jiuhua Street for a peaceful evening.
Day 2: Scenic Views and Cultural Insights
- Huxingshan Station → Dajue Chan Temple → Tiantai Cable Car → Bai Jing Tai → Tiantai Temple → Hike Down the Mountain → Small Temples Along the Way → Mingyuan Niang Group → Phoenix Pine → Return to Jiuhua Street → Optional: Dayuan Cultural Park
On the second day, begin with a trip to Dajue Chan Temple, then take the Tiantai Cable Car to explore the scenic views from the Bai Jing Tai and Tiantai Temple. Afterward, hike down the mountain, stopping by several smaller temples, such as the Mingyuan Niang Group and Phoenix Pine, before returning to Jiuhua Street. You can also visit the Dayuan Cultural Park if time allows.
Key Temples and Scenic Areas of Jiuhua Mountain
Jiuhua Mountain is home to numerous temples, many of which are closely connected to the legend of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Below are some of the most important temples and sights that you can’t miss:
1. Qiyuan Temple
- Location: Near the entrance of Jiuhua Mountain
- Significance: The first temple you’ll encounter upon entering the mountain. Established during the Ming Dynasty, it is a major Buddhist site with a grand architectural design. The main hall houses statues of the Three Buddhas, made using ancient lacquer techniques.
2. Huacheng Temple
- Location: 3 minutes’ walk from Qiyuan Temple
- Significance: Founded during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, this is the founding temple of Jiuhua Mountain. It also serves as a museum displaying historical relics like palm-leaf scriptures and Emperor’s inscriptions.
3. Upper Chan Hall
- Location: Built during the Qing Dynasty
- Significance: Known for its unique architecture, Upper Chan Hall is famous for the “Dripping Water Guanyin” statue and its scenic location. This temple is a key historical site and also featured in the 1986 TV series “Journey to the West.”
4. Shengong Hall (Meat Body Pagoda)
- Location: A 3-minute walk from Upper Chan Hall
- Significance: This is the site where the golden statue of Ksitigarbha’s body is enshrined. The hall is a deeply revered site, with a local saying that you can only see Ksitigarbha’s face here. The hall is opened once every 60 years, but this is unverified.
5. Hui Xiang Pavilion
- Location: About 25 minutes from Shengong Hall along a stone-paved path
- Significance: Originally called Huayan Chan Temple, it’s a place where pilgrims burn incense as they head towards Tiantai Peak. It also features the Wanfo Pagoda, built with a donation from the philanthropist Cao Dewang in 2006. Climbing the pagoda offers sweeping views of Jiuhua Mountain.
6. Dongya Chan Temple
- Location: A 400-meter walk from Hui Xiang Pavilion
- Significance: Situated at the top of the eastern peak, Dongya Chan Temple provides stunning views of the Yangtze River and the surrounding mountains. It was one of the four major monasteries during the Ming and Qing dynasties.
7. Baisui Palace
- Location: A short 10-minute walk from Dongya Chan Temple
- Significance: Known for housing the remains of the famous monk Wuxia, Baisui Palace is a significant temple with a grand architectural style resembling an ancient fortress. The palace also features a 500 Arhats Hall.
Other Temples in Jiuhua Street
If you have extra time or want to explore more temples, consider visiting these sites:
- Huacheng Temple
- Qiyuan Temple
- Zhantanlin
- Tonghui Chanlin
- Julong Chan Temple
- Tianchi Temple
- Changsheng Hermitage
- Longan Temple
These temples are all located along Jiuhua Street and can be visited without needing to climb the mountain.
Jiuhua Mountain 2-Day Pilgrimage Tour
The second day of your pilgrimage at Jiuhua Mountain offers more temples, scenic spots, and historical landmarks. This itinerary is perfect for those seeking to deepen their spiritual journey while enjoying breathtaking mountain views and cultural heritage.
Day 2: Scenic Views and Temples
- Huxingshan Station → Dajue Chan Temple → Tiantai Cable Car → Baijing Tai → Tiantai Temple → Hike Down the Mountain → Small Temples Along the Way → Mingyuan Niang Group → Return to Jiuhua Street → Optional: Dayuan Cultural Park
1. Dajue Chan Temple
- Location: A short bus ride from Jiuhua Street’s Huxingshan Station to the Tiantai Cable Car station, followed by a 100-meter walk.
- Significance: Originally known as Dajue Chanlin, this temple was rebuilt in recent years. In 1999, Jiuhua Mountain’s famous 99-meter Ksitigarbha statue was initially planned here but was later relocated due to space limitations. The temple features traditional wooden architecture built using the ancient mortise and tenon technique, which gives it a unique charm within the context of Jiuhua’s other temples.
2. Baijing Tai (Sacred Platform)
- Location: A 10-minute cable car ride from the Tiantai Cable Car station.
- Significance: Known also as Dawyuan Temple, this site holds great significance for pilgrims. It is said that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva once prayed here while reciting the Avatamsaka Sutra, leaving behind deep footprints — the “Golden Ksitigarbha Footprints.” Pilgrims follow these sacred marks as part of their spiritual journey, making Baijing Tai a must-visit on the Jiuhua pilgrimage route.
3. Tiantai Temple
- Location: A 25-minute walk up 826 steps from Baijing Tai.
- Significance: Established during the Ming Dynasty (early 15th century), Tiantai Temple is one of the highest temples on Jiuhua Mountain, perched at an altitude of 1,306 meters. This temple is famous for its spectacular views, including cloud seas and breathtaking sunrises, making it a favorite among visitors and photographers.
4. Temples Along the Tiantai Mountain Path
As you descend from Baijing Tai along the Tiantai Mountain trail, you’ll pass several small temples that enhance the peaceful atmosphere of the hike. The temples are connected by the serene environment of the mountain, with dense bamboo forests and pine groves surrounding them.
- Tianqiao Temple (Cuiyun An): Located halfway along the trail, this temple is uniquely positioned between cliffs and deep valleys. A stone arch bridge is the only passageway to this beautiful and isolated spot.
- Chaoyang An, Fuxing An, and Jixiang Temple: These three smaller temples are filled with positive energy and are symbols of good fortune. Their names reflect the optimistic, vibrant atmosphere of Jiuhua Mountain.
- Huiju Temple: A key national temple, Huiju is famous for blending Buddhist and Taoist elements in both its architecture and the statues it houses, representing a rare fusion of the two traditions.
5. Mingyuan Niang Temple Group
- Location: Near Phoenix Pine (Fenghuang Song).
- Significance: The Mingyuan Niang Temple Group consists of over 20 nunneries, mostly built in the late Qing and early Republic periods. These temples are set against a backdrop of bamboo forests and pine trees, and the surrounding area is enveloped by the clear waters of the Longxi River. The temples’ white walls, brown roofs, and traditional courtyards create a tranquil environment. The nuns here live a simple life, focusing on both farming and meditation as they continue to preserve traditional Buddhist practices.
6. Dayuan Cultural Park (Optional)
- Location: At the base of Jiuhua Mountain, near the Ke Village New District and the visitor center.
- Significance: The Dayuan Cultural Park is home to the monumental 99-meter Ksitigarbha Statue and the Hongyuan Hall, which is dedicated to displaying the culture of Ksitigarbha. The park is free to enter, but there are optional services such as the shuttle bus (30 RMB) and entry to Hongyuan Hall (39 RMB). Visitors typically spend 2-3 hours here exploring the statues and exhibits.
Conclusion
Jiuhua Mountain is a place of profound spiritual significance, offering pilgrims a chance to deepen their connection to Buddhist teachings while experiencing natural beauty. This two-day itinerary allows you to visit some of the most important temples and scenic spots, from the towering Tiantai Temple to the tranquil Mingyuan Niang Temple Group. Whether you are hiking the mountain paths or visiting the cultural sites, Jiuhua Mountain offers a rewarding and unforgettable experience for all.
