Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone

Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Niushou Mountain, also known as Tianque Mountain, gets its name from the twin peaks on its eastern and western sides that resemble the horns of a bull’s head. The mountain boasts picturesque scenery and has long been praised as the “Spring Beauty of Niushou.” Historically, it was home to such classic Nanjing landscapes as Niushou Misty Haze and Zutang Bell-Ringing Monastery, and it preserves many historical relics, including Yue Fei’s anti-Jin Dynasty military fortifications and the Zheng He Culture Park.

Buddha’s Summit Palace

In recent years, the parietal bone relic of Sakyamuni Buddha has been enshrined long-term at Niushou Mountain. Visitors can pay homage during special Buddhist festivals. For specific relic-viewing schedules, please call the scenic area at 4001656363. The Buddha’s Summit Palace was built into an underground palace using an existing mining pit, with six levels underground and three above ground—its grand and solemn architecture alone is well worth seeing. In addition, you can also visit attractions such as the Buddha’s Summit Pagoda and the Buddha’s Summit Temple.

A Millennium of History

Niushou Mountain is a famous Buddhist mountain. In the second year of the Tianjian era during the Liang Dynasty (503 AD), Minister Xu Du built the Buddha Cave Temple, the first temple on the mountain. It was later renamed Hongjue Temple by Li Yu, the last ruler of the Southern Tang Dynasty. Emperor Daizong of the Tang Dynasty once dreamed of a Pratyekabuddha appearing on Niushou Mountain, which led to the construction of the Pratyekabuddha Pagoda. During the Tang Dynasty, the Zen master known as the “Bodhidharma of the East” – Fahui – founded the Niutou Zen sect on Niushou Mountain, historically referred to as “Jiangbiao Niutou.” The establishment of the Niutou Zen sect played a crucial bridging role in transforming Indian Zen into Chinese Zen.

Niushou Mountain Hongjue Temple Pagoda and Cliff Inscriptions

Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, Fifth Batch, October 2002 – Niushou Mountain Hongjue Temple Pagoda and Cliff Inscriptions, Ming Dynasty, Jiangning District, Nanjing City

Special Notices

1. The scenic area offers guided tour services: Buddha’s Sacred Realm area – for groups of 1–30 people, 95 RMB; full route from the east entrance to the Buddha’s Summit Palace – for groups of 1–30 people, 160 RMB.

2. Self-guided audio tour devices can be rented at the Buddha’s Summit Palace. The audio guide covers approximately 10,000 square meters of explorable areas within the palace. The full guided route from the east entrance takes about 3 hours, while the full route through the Buddha’s Sacred Realm takes about 1.5 hours. Rental fee is 10 RMB per unit (with a 200 RMB deposit per unit).

3. The scenic area sightseeing buses are new, fully electric, air-conditioned vehicles. The ticket price is 20 RMB per person. Once purchased, the ticket allows unlimited rides at any stop within the scenic area on the same day.

4. Sightseeing bus routes: East Route – visitors enter from the east gate: Niushou Station → Buddha’s Summit Temple Station → Buddha’s Sacred Realm Station → Tianque Station → Hidden Dragon Lake Station → Niushou Station; West Route – visitors enter from the west gate: Sanbao Station → Tianque Station → Buddha’s Summit Temple Station → Niushou Station → Hidden Dragon Lake Station → Viewing Platform Station → Baoxiang Lake Station → Sanbao Station.

5. Official Weibo: Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone Official Account; Official WeChat: Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone – free audio guides available.

Address: No. 18, Ningdan Avenue, Jiangning District, Nanjing City

Type: Mountain, Historical Site, Historic Architecture, Temple

Rating: AAAA

Recommended Visiting Time: 4–6 hours

Phone: 4001656363

Official Website: http://www.niushoushan.net/

Social Media Accounts:

Opening Hours:

Summer: 9:00–17:00 (may vary slightly by season).

Ticket Information:

Adult ticket: 98 RMB; students, minors aged 6–18 (inclusive), and seniors aged 60–69 (inclusive) with valid ID receive a 50% discount; children under 1.4 meters or 6 years old (inclusive) (must be accompanied by an adult) are free; seniors over 70 with valid ID are free.