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Jiuhua Mountain Travel Guide | China's Sacred Buddhist Mountain & Ksitigarbha Bodhimanda

5A LevelReligious Sites

Jiuhua Mountain

Jiuhua Mountain

Anhui

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Category:Religious Site

Jiuhua Mountain, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains, is renowned for its spiritual landscapes and as the bodhimanda of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. With towering peaks, ancient temples, and misty clouds, it offers a serene and solemn atmosphere. Climbing to Tiantai Peak, visitors can overlook the sea of clouds and experience the tranquility of the 'Lotus Buddhist Kingdom'.

INTRODUCTION

About This Attraction

Jiuhua Mountain: The Lotus Buddhist Kingdom

Overview

Jiuhua Mountain, located in Qingyang County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province, overlooks the Yangtze River to the north and faces Huangshan Mountain to the south. It is one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains and the bodhimanda of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Renowned for its "supreme incense" and as the "No. 1 Mountain in Southeast China," it is often called the "Lotus Buddhist Kingdom."

The mountain is primarily composed of granite, with rugged and towering peaks. There are 99 peaks in total, among which the nine main peaks—Tiantai, Tianzhu, Shiwang, Lianhua, and Luohan—are the most famous, resembling a lotus flower, hence the name "Jiuhua" (Nine Glories). The scenic area covers about 120 square kilometers, with a protected area of 174 square kilometers. The core scenic spots include Jiuhua Street, Minyuan, Tiantai, and Huatai.

Geographical Location: Qingyang County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province; 117°45′E, 30°30′N.
Altitude: The highest peak, Shiwang Peak, is 1344.4 meters above sea level.
Climate: Northern subtropical humid monsoon climate with four distinct seasons and abundant rainfall; annual average temperature is about 13.4°C.

PRACTICAL INFO

Travel Essentials

Opening Hours

The scenic area is open all day (24 hours), but temples generally close at 17:00-18:00. It is recommended to enter the scenic area between 7:00-8:00 in the morning to avoid peak crowds.

Ticket Price

Admission: Peak season (Jan 16 - Nov 14) 160 yuan/person; Off-peak season (Nov 15 - Jan 15 of the following year) 140 yuan/person. Cable car: Tiantai Cable Car one-way 85 yuan/person, Huatai Cable Car one-way 85 yuan/person, Baishui Palace Ground Cable Car one-way 55 yuan/person.

How to Get There

External Transportation: Take a high-speed train to 'Chizhou Station,' then transfer to a direct scenic area shuttle bus (about 1 hour) to reach the Jiuhua Mountain Visitor Center. Alternatively, drive via G50 Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway or G3 Beijing-Taipei Expressway to the 'Jiuhua Mountain' exit. Internal Transportation: Eco-friendly buses operate within the scenic area, connecting Jiuhua Street, Minyuan, Tiantai Cableway, and Huatai Cableway. To ascend the mountain, you can choose to hike (about 3-4 hours) or take a cable car (Tiantai Cableway, Huatai Cableway, or Baisui Palace Ground Cable Car).

NEARBY

Nearby Attractions

Huangshan

Huangshan

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Hongcun Ancient Village

Hongcun Ancient Village

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Xidi Ancient Village

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Historical Evolution

Taoist Origins and Buddhist Beginnings

The history of Jiuhua Mountain dates back to the Han Dynasty, when it was known as "Lingyang Mountain" and was a Taoist retreat. According to the "Record of Blessed Lands," Taoist figures such as Dou Ziming of the Han Dynasty and Ge Hong of the Jin Dynasty practiced alchemy here. By the Tang Dynasty, Taoist activities still existed, but the introduction of Buddhism completely transformed the religious landscape of Jiuhua Mountain.

During the Kaiyuan period of the Tang Dynasty (719 AD), Prince Jin Qiaojue (Dharma name Dizang) of Silla (present-day Korean Peninsula) crossed the sea to China. Seeing the layered peaks and misty clouds of Jiuhua, he settled here, living in a cave on Dongya Peak and practicing asceticism for 75 years. After his death, his body remained uncorrupted and his face looked as if alive. Monks recognized him as the incarnation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva and built a pagoda to enshrine him. From then on, Jiuhua Mountain was established as the bodhimanda of Ksitigarbha.

Flourishing in Tang and Song Dynasties and Imperial Patronage

From the Tang Dynasty onward, Buddhism on Jiuhua Mountain flourished. By the Song Dynasty, the imperial court issued multiple edicts and bestowed plaques and temples. Jiuhua Mountain, along with Wutai, Emei, and Putuo, became one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Buddhism reached its zenith, with over 300 temples and thousands of monks. The incense was the most prosperous in Southeast China. In the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, Emperor Shenzong twice bestowed the Tripitaka on Jiuhua and ordered the construction of the "Huguo Wannian Temple." Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty also bestowed plaques and silver, further consolidating its status as a sacred Buddhist site.

Modern Inheritance

In modern times, despite wars and turmoil, the Buddhist tradition of Jiuhua Mountain has never ceased. In 1983, the State Council designated Jiuhua Mountain as a national key Buddhist mountain and listed Huacheng Temple, Roushen Baodian, and Baisui Palace as national key temples. In 2019, Jiuhua Mountain was included in the UNESCO Global Geoparks list, and its natural and cultural heritage value has been internationally recognized.

Architectural and Scenic Layout

The architectural layout of Jiuhua Mountain follows the terrain, skillfully integrating natural landscapes with religious significance, forming a unique pattern of "the mountain as the Buddha's body, and the Buddha within the mountain." The temples are distributed in a pattern of "one core, two wings, and three lines."

Core Area: Jiuhua Street

Jiuhua Street is the "heart" of Jiuhua Mountain, at an altitude of about 600 meters, located in a mountain basin. Here, temples stand in clusters and the sound of chanting fills the air. It is the religious, cultural, and commercial center of the entire scenic area. The main architectural complexes include:

Huacheng Temple: The founding temple of Jiuhua Mountain, first built in the Zhide period of the Tang Dynasty (756 AD), and the original site of Jin Qiaojue's practice. The existing buildings are from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with four courtyards built along the mountain. The Mahavira Hall is five bays wide and four bays deep, about 18 meters high, enshrining Sakyamuni Buddha and Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas. Huacheng Temple is the oldest temple on Jiuhua Mountain and the foremost among all temples.
Roushen Baodian (Body Relic Hall): Commonly known as the "Body Relic Pagoda," it enshrines the body of Jin Dizang. First built in the Tang Dynasty, the existing building was rebuilt during the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. The hall is square, about 15 meters on each side and 20 meters high, with a roof covered by iron tiles and surrounded by stone pillars and corridors. In the center of the hall stands a seven-story wooden pagoda, about 17 meters high, enshrining the body of Jin Dizang. Roushen Baodian is the most sacred site on Jiuhua Mountain and the core of pilgrimage.
Qiyuan Temple: One of the largest temples on Jiuhua Mountain, first built in the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. Its mountain gate is a three-story, double-eaved hip roof, about 12 meters high, imposing in scale. The Mahavira Hall is seven bays wide and five bays deep, capable of accommodating a thousand people for chanting. Qiyuan Temple is famous for its exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, and paintings.

Eastern Route: Minyuan and Tiantai

From Jiuhua Street eastward, through the Minyuan Scenic Area, one can ascend to Tiantai Peak. Minyuan is the "back garden" of Jiuhua Mountain, known for the Phoenix Pine, Minyuan Bamboo Sea, and nunneries. Tiantai Peak is one of the main peaks, at an altitude of 1306 meters, with the saying, "If you don't climb Tiantai, you haven't really been to Jiuhua."

Tiantai Temple: Located at the summit of Tiantai Peak, first built in the Song Dynasty, with existing buildings rebuilt in the late Qing Dynasty. The temple is built against the cliff, with five stories stacked upon each other, blending with the rocks. Inside, a statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is enshrined, and the incense is extremely prosperous. From Tiantai Temple, one can overlook the entire Jiuhua Mountain, with clouds surging and a majestic view.
Baisui Palace: Located at the top of Chaxiao Peak, first built in the Ming Dynasty. It is named after the Ming Dynasty monk Wuxia, who practiced here until the age of 126 and whose body remained uncorrupted after death. He was posthumously honored as "Yingshen Pusa" (Incarnation Bodhisattva). Baisui Palace is a five-story, walk-around building, about 15 meters high, with exquisite interior structure, and is one of the best-preserved Ming Dynasty buildings on Jiuhua Mountain.

Western Route: Huatai Scenic Area

The Huatai Scenic Area is mainly known for its natural scenery, featuring strange peaks, strange rocks, alpine rhododendrons, and sea of clouds and sunrise. The area has a high-altitude plank road, about 1.5 kilometers long, suspended on cliffs, allowing close-up views of the granite peak forest landform. Huatai Main Peak is 1299 meters above sea level, an excellent spot to view the panoramic view of Jiuhua Mountain.

Architectural and Natural Features

Architectural Features: Fusion of Huizhou Style and Buddhist Temples

The architecture of Jiuhua Mountain has distinct Huizhou style features, while integrating the solemnity and mystery of Buddhist temples. Its characteristics include:

Built on the mountain, staggered and layered: Temples are often built on cliffs and steep slopes, using techniques of "borrowing scenery" and "contrasting scenery" to harmonize with the natural environment. Examples include Baisui Palace and Tiantai Temple, which follow the mountain's contours, creating a rich skyline.
Huizhou elements: Extensive use of white walls, black tiles, and horse-head walls, contrasting with the green mountains and waters. Interior decoration features wood carvings, stone carvings, and brick carvings, with themes of Buddhist stories and auspicious patterns, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship.
Iron tiles and stone walls: Due to the rainy and humid mountain climate and frequent lightning strikes, many temples (such as Roushen Baodian and Baisui Palace) use iron tiles for roofing to enhance durability and fire resistance. Walls are often built with local granite, solid and heavy.
Body relic pagodas: A unique architectural form of Jiuhua Mountain, such as the seven-story wooden pagoda in Roushen Baodian, which serves both as a container for sacred relics and as the core space of the building, reflecting the Buddhist tradition of "pagoda-temple integration."

Natural Features: Granite Peak Forest and Buddhist Culture

Jiuhua Mountain is a typical granite peak forest landform, known for its "five wonders": strange peaks, strange rocks, sea of clouds, sunrise, and Buddha's light.

Strange peaks and rocks: The 99 peaks of Jiuhua Mountain have various shapes, such as "Sleeping Buddha," "Guanyin Peak," and "Candle Peak." Many peaks are named after Buddhist terms and are closely linked to religious legends. After hundreds of millions of years of weathering, the granite has formed many pictographic rocks, such as "Roc Listening to Sutras" and "Golden Turtle Worshipping the North Star," which are lifelike.
Sea of clouds and Buddha's light: Jiuhua Mountain is often shrouded in clouds and mist, especially after rain. The sea of clouds surges, and peaks appear like islands. Under specific weather conditions, a "Buddha's light" phenomenon can be seen—a colorful halo projected onto the clouds around the viewer's shadow, considered an auspicious sign.
Biodiversity: The forest coverage rate of Jiuhua Mountain exceeds 90%, with many rare plants such as Huangshan pine, southern yew, and Magnolia sieboldii. The alpine rhododendron forests bloom in spring, covering the mountains with spectacular colors.

Visitor Information

Best Time to Visit

Jiuhua Mountain is suitable for visits all year round, but the best seasons are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). In spring, mountain flowers are in full bloom; in autumn, the sky is clear and the sea of clouds is spectacular. Summer is cool and ideal for escaping the heat; winter offers beautiful snow scenes, but some mountain roads may be closed.

Transportation Guide

External Transportation: Take a high-speed train to "Chizhou Station," then transfer to a direct scenic area shuttle bus (about 1 hour) to reach the Jiuhua Mountain Visitor Center. Alternatively, drive via G50 Shanghai-Chongqing Expressway or G3 Beijing-Taipei Expressway to the "Jiuhua Mountain" exit.
Internal Transportation: Eco-friendly buses operate within the scenic area, connecting Jiuhua Street, Minyuan, Tiantai Cableway, and Huatai Cableway. To ascend the mountain, you can choose to hike (about 3-4 hours) or take a cable car (Tiantai Cableway, Huatai Cableway, or Baisui Palace Ground Cable Car).

Tickets and Opening Hours

Tickets: Peak season (January 16 - November 14): 160 yuan/person; Off-season (November 15 - January 15): 140 yuan/person.
Cableways: Tiantai Cableway: 85 yuan/person one way; Huatai Cableway: 85 yuan/person one way; Baisui Palace Ground Cable Car: 55 yuan/person one way.
Opening Hours: The scenic area is open all day (24 hours), but temples generally close between 17:00-18:00. It is recommended to enter the scenic area between 7:00-8:00 AM to avoid peak crowds.

Recommended Tour Routes

One-Day Essence Route: Jiuhua Street (Huacheng Temple, Roushen Baodian, Qiyuan Temple) → Baisui Palace (cable car up and down) → Tiantai Peak (cable car up and down, visit Tiantai Temple).
Two-Day In-Depth Route: Day 1: Core temple complex on Jiuhua Street + Baisui Palace; Day 2: Minyuan Nunnery Group + Tiantai Peak + Huatai Scenic Area (depending on physical strength).
Pilgrimage Special Route: Roushen Baodian (worship Ksitigarbha's body) → Huacheng Temple (founding temple) → Baisui Palace (worship Wuxia Chan Master's body) → Tonghui Temple (worship Renyi Shitai's body).

Important Notes

Dress: When entering temples, dress modestly; shorts, short skirts, and slippers are not allowed. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes as there are many mountain paths.
Etiquette: Loud noise and photography are prohibited inside temples (some halls allow). When offering incense, use the free incense provided by the temple; do not bring your own tall or large incense.
Accommodation: Jiuhua Street has many hotels and guesthouses, with prices ranging from 100 to 1000 yuan. It is recommended to book in advance, especially during holidays.
Food: Jiuhua Mountain is famous for vegetarian cuisine. Recommended dishes include "Jiuhua Vegetarian Feast," such as "Ksitigarbha Tofu" and "Jiuhua Three Treasures" (stone ear, bamboo shoots, and fern).
Safety: Mountain weather is changeable; bring rain gear and warm clothing. Be careful on the mountain paths and do not climb unopened areas.

Jiuhua Mountain, a famous mountain carrying a thousand years of Buddhist culture and natural wonders, attracts countless pilgrims and travelers with the solemnity and mystery of the "Lotus Buddhist Kingdom." Here, you can feel the compassion and great vow of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, appreciate the uncanny workmanship of the granite peak forest, and experience the ingenuity of Huizhou architecture. May every pilgrimage be a purification and elevation of the soul.