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Cloud-Capped Hermitage

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Nestled on the mountainside of Yingke Summit at an elevation of 150 meters, Cloud-Capped Hermitage derives its name from a famous line in Tao Yuanming’s “Ode to Returning Home” during the Eastern Jin Dynasty: “Clouds emerge aimlessly from the mountain hollows; birds, tired of flying, know to return.” This poetically captures the hermitage's idyllic, otherworldly ambiance. Originally built during the early Jianlong era of the Northern Song Dynasty, the hermitage has enshrined the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) since its inception. For over a thousand…

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Cloud-Capped Hermitage is a Zhejiang Provincial Cultural Heritage Protection Unit.

Located on the mountainside of Yingke Summit at an elevation of 150 meters, Cloud-Capped Hermitage takes its name from a famous line in Tao Yuanming’s “Ode to Returning Home” during the Eastern Jin Dynasty: “Clouds emerge aimlessly from the mountain hollows; birds, tired of flying, know to return.” This vividly conveys the hermitage’s serene, utopian atmosphere.

First established in the early Jianlong period of the Northern Song Dynasty, the hermitage has enshrined the Goddess of Mercy since its founding. Over the past thousand years, it has been destroyed and rebuilt five times, reaching its peak during the mid-Ming Dynasty. At that time, Putuo Mountain frequently suffered from pirate raids, prompting monks and nuns to seek refuge here by crossing the sea. Legend has it that Guanyin’s sacred site is on Mount Putuo, but due to the heavy flow of worshippers, the goddess could find no peace day or night. Following a suggestion from the Dragon Girl, she began crossing the sea by night to rest here. However, when word leaked out, devotees flocked to the site, leading to Cloud-Capped Hermitage being nicknamed the “Nighttime Putuo.”

In 1993, the Haiyan County People's Government designated Cloud-Capped Hermitage as a key cultural relic protection unit, giving the ancient hermitage a new lease on life. It now comprises 73 halls spread across 11 acres of land. In the same year, the Provincial Religious Affairs Bureau officially approved it as a place of religious activity, and Zhao Puchu inscribed its name plaque.

The hermitage currently features the “Xuedou Spring,” known for its sweet, refreshing water that flows year-round, making it ideal for brewing tea.

Address: Nanbeihu Scenic Area, Gancun Town, Haiyan County, Jiaxing City (near the mountainside of Yingke Summit)

Type: Historic Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 hours

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 10.0 RMB

The Nanbeihu Scenic Area ticket is 80 RMB; an additional 10 RMB is required for Cloud-Capped Hermitage.