Bodhisattva Mountain

Bodhisattva Mountain

Bodhisattva Mountain is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Destination Introduction

“May the Bodhisattva bless with divine light, nature’s timeless charm runs long; attain the true scripture here, and your heart will never waver in this life.”

Bodhisattva Mountain Natural Scenic Area spans 4 square kilometers, with its highest peak over 600 meters above sea level. As a newly developed scenic area in recent years, it is a beautiful landscape created through the intelligence and hard work of the mountain folk, and can be regarded as a rising star among Changping’s natural attractions. In fact, this place has “long been destined to reveal its beauty to the world,” boasting a long history, well-preserved historic sites, numerous legends, lush vegetation, picturesque scenery, beautiful landscapes, blue skies, and fresh air. The grand mountain exudes the demeanor and charm of a true gentleman. The scenic area is located within Liucun Township in the western part of Changping, separated by just one mountain from the beautiful “Hometown of Roses”—Miaofeng Mountain. During the rose blooming season, the air here is also filled with intoxicating fragrance.

Places blessed by the Bodhisattva naturally radiate spiritual energy and enjoy excellent feng shui, with beautiful, serene mountains and a tranquil environment. The scenic area is home to hundreds of species of native plants. Trees grow thick and leafy, brambles are dense, wildflowers vie in brilliance, the hillsides are laden with precious fruits, hidden herbs abound, and the land is like a soft carpet. Thanks to the vast mountain terrain, dense forests, moderate climate, diverse ecosystems, and rich resources, the area teems with wildlife and birds. Deep in the mountains, you can find roe deer, rabbits, badgers, squirrels, and occasionally darting pheasants, magpies, and woodpeckers. These animals and birds freely roam and play in this ecological paradise with its pristine vegetation. With careful protection by people, the mountains are filled with a harmonious atmosphere between humans and animals.

Aside from the stunning natural scenery, the area also features uniquely charming landscapes, simple folk customs, and lively interest. The scenic zone is divided into five cultural areas: Health Preservation Culture Area, Buddhist Culture Area, Folk Culture Area, Ecological Culture Area, and Leisure Culture Area. The first batch of opened Folk and Ecological Culture Areas include a kilometer-long Great Buddha, a thousand-year-old locust tree, Guan Yu Temple, Chinese Toon Garden, Root Carving Museum, Folk Garden, Motherly Love Courtyard, Bodhisattva Hall, Huayi Gallery, Dragon Gate Field, Being-a-Person Stone, Art-of-War Stone, Heart-Reflecting Stone, Five-Colored Rock, Sacred Spring, Loyalty-and-Filial Piety Spring, Brothers’ Ridge, Buddhist Worship Platform, Guanyin Platform, Buddha’s Hand Platform, Viewing Platform, South Mountain Red Leaves, and the Natural Great Buddha. The four major natural wonders of the mountain are even more breathtaking: first, a natural stone Buddha standing 19.9 meters high and 8 meters wide; second, a naturally formed kilometer-long Reclining Buddha; third, a stone Buddha’s hand standing 4 meters tall and weighing 8 tons; and fourth, a “Buddha” character root carving formed naturally from tree roots. These four natural wonders are like the eyes of the scenic area, adding infinite spiritual brilliance and making the scenery even more unique.

The scenic area has built three exhibition areas: Huayi Gallery, Root Carving Museum, and Folk Museum. In the Huayi Gallery, there are portraits of over 150 emperors and empresses from the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, created by modern artists using traditional glass oil painting techniques. The craftsmanship is exquisite and can be described as truly unique. The dragon, a symbol of the Chinese nation, is represented here by a camphor wood root carving titled “Nine Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” measuring 2.68 meters in height, 3.8 meters in width, and 1.16 meters in thickness. This root carving is a masterpiece of Chinese art, meticulously designed and carved by nine artists over nine years. There is also a large black pottery craftwork titled “Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl,” standing 2.68 meters tall and 0.68 meters in diameter. This large-scale pottery craft is highly challenging in terms of molding, carving, and firing. The gallery also houses a giant traditional Chinese painting titled “Five Hundred Arhats,” created by the renowned Chinese painter Tang Ming, which took 16 years to complete. The Root Carving Museum houses many root carving works, including a representation of “Along the River During the Qingming Festival,” all worth viewing. The Folk Museum displays farming tools and daily utensils used by working people, such as pulleys, winnowing baskets, measuring scoops, plows, and rakes.

To visit Bodhisattva Mountain Scenic Area, you can drive directly into the area and get straight to the point. But if you have ample time, are in good physical condition, and all other factors permit, you might consider hiking into the mountain from the valley entrance, specifically from Gaokou Village. This stretch is about three to four kilometers long, winding through two mountains and one path with gentle slopes. Strolling through the mountain valley, you can warm up while gradually immersing yourself in the natural scenery. This gradual transition allows for a deeper appreciation, and once you reach the scenic area, you can climb the steps, pause to take in the views, and savor the experience at a leisurely pace. This approach allows for complete relaxation and full immersion in nature.    Special Note

Hidden within this rugged, narrow valley lies a small pocket village named Bodhisattva Deer. This village has a history of over a thousand years. Historical research indicates that during the Liao and Song dynasties, a precious cultural relic—Bodhisattva Temple—was built halfway up the mountain in the village, and traces of the temple can still be found today. It is said that Bodhisattva Mountain and Bodhisattva Deer Village are strikingly similar and share many touching legends. The most representative of these is the following story: “Long, long ago, Guanyin Bodhisattva rode a white deer from north to south, saving people from suffering along the way. Passing through this place, she found it peaceful and natural, with men farming and women weaving, the people living serenely, every household meditating and worshiping, and compassion shining from the heavens. Deeply moved, the Bodhisattva pointed her hand, and instantly the mountaintop transformed into a magnificent Buddhist temple, radiant like a night pearl. Villagers rushed out of their homes to watch and bowed in reverence. Before long, the Bodhisattva and the white deer, who left their sacred imprints, gradually disappeared. To commemorate the Bodhisattva and the white deer for blessing mankind, the people devoutly named the mountain Bodhisattva Mountain, and the small village was given the name Bodhisattva Deer.”

Changping Changping