Moxing Mountain Scenic Area

Moxing Mountain Scenic Area

Moxing Mountain Scenic Area

Moxing Mountain Scenic Area is located in the southeastern part of Daishan Island, approximately 2.2 kilometers from Gao Ting Town, the county seat. The mountain covers an area of about 6 square kilometers, surrounded by hills on three sides and facing the sea on one side. Its rolling green ridges feature the highest point, Yuepinggang, at an elevation of 257.1 meters, the highest on the island, offering a broad view to watch the sunrise. Moxing Mountain is picturesque and...

Moxing Mountain is beautiful and lush with trees all year round, providing a serene and pleasant environment with a comfortable climate. Ciyun Bliss Zen Temple is nestled within the greenery on the southern side of Moxing Mountain, while the Penglai Tea Garden, with its elegantly arranged pavilions and terraces, is situated on the southern slope. At the mountain’s northern and southern peaks stand the Bibo Pavilion and the Penglai Jade Buddha Pagoda, respectively, both offering bird’s-eye views of the island’s scenery. Within the mountain’s hollows are pavilions, terraces, and towers. From the Wanghai Pavilion on the eastern side of the mountain, visitors can take in panoramic views of the county’s new look, the sea, and the fishing harbor. When clouds and mist shroud the mountain, the ever-changing scenery creates a mystical illusion of a hidden paradise with glimpses of blue seas and green isles.

The main themes of this scenic area are Buddhist culture as its core, the legend of Xu Fu’s quest for immortality as its backdrop, and the surrounding sea of islands as its setting—forming a richly cultural and visually stunning "Penglai Immortal Mountain." Key attractions include Ciyun Bliss Zen Temple, Bai Feng Snow Accumulation, Huazang World, Tea Garden Morning Mist, Jade Buddha Pagoda, Bibo Pavilion, Wanghai Pavilion, Chaoguo Temple, Jingxiu Nunnery, and Chongfu Temple. There are two main routes up the mountain: a newly built cement road accessible by car in about 15 minutes from the county town, and a stone-paved pedestrian path that takes roughly 30 minutes to climb from the mountain’s base.

Ciyun Bliss Zen Temple

Initially built during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong reign over 240 years ago, Ciyun Bliss Zen Temple has endured many hardships. Since 1983, it has been restored and expanded through donations from devotees both in China and abroad. It now boasts a large-scale complex that includes a parking lot, mountain gate, Fan Gu Qing Yin (Sound of the Buddhist Valley), a liberation pond, bell and drum towers, the Mahavira Hall, Jade Buddha Hall, a poetry wall featuring the “Ten Scenes of Penglai,” a memorial hall, scripture depository, Yixin Pavilion, Jade Buddha Pagoda, and Penglai Tea Garden, covering nearly 100 acres. Approved by the county government in 1985 as a religious tourism site open to the public, it is a major highlight of the Moxing Mountain Scenic Area.

Ascending from the parking lot, to the left is the Fan Gu Qing Yin Cave, beneath which lies a liberation pond. Stepping up high stairs leads to the Penglai Buddhist Kingdom Gate (mountain gate), with the drum tower on the left, the bell tower on the right, and the Jade Buddha Hall in the center, spanning about 200 square meters and housing a white jade reclining Buddha, flanked by the Eighteen Arhats of varying sizes and shapes. Above the Jade Buddha Hall lies the temple’s main hall—the Mahavira Hall, standing 25.3 meters tall and enshrining a nearly 10-meter-high gilded “Three Saints of the West,” alongside various gilded manifestations of Guanyin, creating a magnificent and resplendent atmosphere. A flight of stairs from the Mahavira Hall leads to the “Ten Scenes of Penglai” poetry wall, inscribed with verses by Liu Menglan, a Qing Dynasty poet from Daishan, praising the island’s enchanting landscapes. Nearby is the scripture depository, and further up lies the old site of Ciyun Nunnery, beside which stands a stele inscribed by the renowned calligrapher Jiang Dongshu.

Fan Gu Qing Yin

Located beside the mountain gate of Ciyun Bliss Temple, this cave is cool and refreshing inside. At its bottom lies a pool, and water droplets from crevices in the cave ceiling fall into the pool, producing a sound like jade beads dropping onto a jade plate. A statue of Guanyin holding a willow branch stands inside the cave, and the spring water flowing from her sacred vase is particularly sweet. Upon entering, one is greeted by refreshing air, pleasant sounds, and soothing water—an experience full of charm.

Huazang World

Huazang World is a unique tourist attraction within Ciyun Zen Temple, built in 1989 with funding from Venerable Wudao, a eminent monk from Putuo Mountain and native of Daishan, and designed by Professor Chen Congzhou, a renowned expert in ancient architecture from Tongji University in Shanghai. Covering about 15 square meters, its walls and ceiling are inlaid with Belgian glass at various angles. At its center sits a gold-leaf-covered Amitabha Buddha. Based on the description of the Western Paradise in the Avatamsaka Sutra and using principles of optics and refraction, the space evokes visions of paradise, sparking endless reverie. The boundless realm, the central Buddha surrounded by countless others, and the feeling of being one among a million worshippers make visitors feel as if they’ve entered heaven. According to scriptures, “Huazang World” means “Huá” (flower) represents the sky, and “cáng” (store) represents the earth—signifying the vastness of the Western Paradise. This attraction is unique in China. After visiting, Mr. Zhao Puchu wrote: “Now I know the Buddha’s land spans the three thousand realms; ascending Golden Mountain, I pay homage to the Golden Immortal...” His original calligraphy has been engraved on a stele erected outside the entrance of Huazang World.

Penglai Tea Garden

Located on the western and southern sides of Ciyun Zen Temple atop Moxing Mountain, the tea garden spans about 300 acres and is famed for producing “Penglai Xianzhi,” one of Zhejiang Province’s top ten famous teas. This tea is mellow and delicious, beloved by many. Lush green tea fields cover the slopes in neat rows and patches. Producing over 100,000 pounds of tea annually, only about 100 pounds of the authentic “Penglai Xianzhi” Guyu (Grain Rain) tea is made each year. During the Qingming season, when mist and rain shroud the mountains, the tender tea buds glisten. Picking them requires skill, and the resulting tea offers a fragrant aroma and a lingering aftertaste. The tea’s rich flavor and elegant fragrance are truly delightful. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the sea and mountain air, visitors can also enjoy a peaceful and refreshing experience.

Chaoguo Temple

Situated at the northern foot of Moxing Mountain’s northwest ridge, about 4 kilometers northwest of the county town, Chaoguo Temple was first built in the second year of the Tianfu era during the Later Jin Dynasty of the Five Dynasties period (937 AD), making it over 1,000 years old and the oldest temple in Zhoushan. As one of Zhoushan’s four great temples, it has been well preserved since being managed by the military after the liberation. The temple still retains its front and rear halls, each with five rooms, along with over ten side rooms on the east and west sides—all built with brick and wood, covering about 5,000 square meters. It has now been largely restored and opened to the public.

“Chaoguo,” a Buddhist term, means attaining enlightenment after transcending the mortal world. The Republican-era “Daishan Town Annals: Literature: Record of Chaoguo Temple” states: “During the Song Dynasty, Chaoguo Temple on Daishan Island was already ‘the most celebrated site on the island, with expansive foundations, grand construction, pine and bamboo surrounding the hills, and lotus ponds encircling the buildings. Those seeking scenic beauty and tranquility all lingered here in admiration.’ By the Ming Dynasty, raids by Japanese pirates left the temple in ruins. In the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Monk Zixiu came to Daishan to raise funds for its reconstruction, ‘renovating the main hall, corridors, living quarters, and kitchens, adding a new mountain gate and statues of Vajra Guardians, thus bringing renewed glory to the centuries-old Chaoguo Temple.’ The Changguo Dian Yong contains a poem about Chaoguo Temple: ‘White stones atop the peak veiled in mist, within the divine mountain a mirage-like pearl palace; verdant cliffs and shady woods for your viewing pleasure—who says the path to Penglai is blocked?’

Wanghai Pavilion

Located about 100 meters up the eastern slope of Ciyun Bliss Zen Temple on Moxing Mountain, this pavilion faces the sea with its back to the mountain, offering a broad view surrounded by lush pines. From its southeastern side, visitors can gaze at the sea, islands, harbors, fishing boats, salt pans, aquaculture farms, and the new look of the entire county—an excellent vantage point for enjoying the fairyland scenery of Penglai. The pavilion is cleverly formed by joining two hexagonal structures, enclosed with wooden railings, stone seats, and a glass-tiled roof, topped with a sculpture of a pair of cranes. Each of its ten upturned eaves features carvings of dragons and phoenixes, while its pillars bear an inscription: “Sincere devotion brings blessings when worshiping immortals and Buddhas; a lofty pavilion offers the perfect view for mountain and sea gazing.” Covering a construction area of 25 square meters, the stone-paved pedestrian path leading down to the county town passes by this pavilion.

Chongfu Temple

Located on the southern foothills of Moxing Mountain within Gao Ting Town, the county seat, Chongfu Temple was first built during the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty, hence its name. It underwent two major renovations during the Kangxi and Qianlong eras of the Qing Dynasty and still houses plaques inscribed with “Chongfu Temple” from the Qianlong Wuwu year and the Guangxu era. This well-preserved example of pure Qing Dynasty architecture, though modest in size, features a well-organized layout. The front and main halls are connected on both sides by wing rooms forming a courtyard, with a stage in the center, a screen wall in front of the hall, and side gates creating a separate yard, totaling nearly 1,000 square meters in floor space. The stage is exquisitely designed, with bracket arms supporting the beam, the beam ends carved on three sides, and the central panels painted with scenes from the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The beam holds a flat board supporting four clusters of bracket sets, bearing the eaves’ central beam. The second and third bracket sets on each side use 45-degree inward angling to support diagonal beams, which in turn hold cross-bracket sets supporting the four-rafter coffered ceiling. The stage’s edge is fitted with rattan-style railings, with stone lion ornaments atop the front railing posts, while the rear features landscape paintings. The roof is covered with small blue tiles in a hip-and-gable style, with upturned eaves and corners, creating a majestic presence. The original dragon, vertical beasts, and theatrical creatures have been replaced with sculptures of opera characters, gilded and inlaid with mirrors, making it a unique ancient community theater stage in Daishan, rich in historical, artistic, and scientific value.

Fragrance of Ancient Osmanthus

Descending along the northern road of Moxing Mountain, in Liujia’ao Village of Gao Ting Town, stand five ancient osmanthus trees with multiple trunks, one of which is nearly 300 years old. These venerable trees are graceful and leafy, and when their golden blooms burst forth in the eighth lunar month, their fragrance wafts for miles. Nestled between wooded hills to the east and the sea to the west, this is a wonderful spot for osmanthus appreciation and leisure.

Address: Southeastern part of Daishan Island, Daishan County, Zhoushan City

Type: Mountain, coastal / beach, historic site

Recommended visiting time: 3–5 hours

Opening hours:

8:30–16:00, last entry at 15:30.

Ticket Information:

Gate Price: 40.0 yuan