Fu Ding Xiangshan Temple Scenic Area

Fu Ding Xiangshan Temple Scenic Area

Fu Ding Xiangshan Temple Scenic Area is a cultural tourism attraction.

The Xiangshan Temple Scenic Area is located in the valley beneath Jiuli Peak and can be accessed either by passing through Yipianwa or by taking the Xiangshan Temple Road after entering the mountain gate. Xiangshan Temple was originally built during the Ming Dynasty and was initially named “Miaoxiang Nunnery.” In front of the Mahavira Hall lies a massive rock called “Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon,” and on the rhinoceros’s neck is a natural cave known as the “Rhinoceros Cave.” On the cave wall is an inscription: “Elegant verses fill the land, fragrant fame rises to the corners of the sea,” written by Weng Tonghe, a Qing Dynasty Minister of Revenue and tutor to Emperors Tongzhi and Guangxu. In ancient times, the Buddhist hall was built inside the Rhinoceros Cave. The valleys around Xiangshan Temple are abundant in orchids, which fill the air with a delicate fragrance when in bloom—hence the temple’s name, “Xiangshan” or “Fragrant Mountain Temple.”

After visiting Xiangshan Temple, follow the stone path on the left toward Yipianwa, and you will see a magnificent hall—the “Hall of Five Hundred Arhats.” Covering an area of about 4,000 square meters, the hall houses five hundred arhat statues carved from fine Burmese white marble, each about one meter tall, along with six large white marble Buddha statues. Arhats, or Arahants, are those who have attained enlightenment and are free from all worldly afflictions. After the nirvana of Sakyamuni Buddha, his disciple Mahakasyapa gathered many monks in Rajagriha to recite Buddhist scriptures together. Later, following the suggestion of the monk Vasumitra, five hundred arhats were convened in Kashmir (now Kashmir region) to discuss and interpret the Tripitaka—the Sutras, Vinaya, and Abhidharma. The Five Hundred Arhats are regarded as the compilers of Buddhist scriptures. It could be said that without them, Buddhism would not have achieved its global spread and enduring influence. Nowadays, it is common to see Sixteen or Eighteen Arhats in temples across China, but very few places enshrine all Five Hundred Arhats. Among those that do, this is the only one where all statues are made of white marble—and both the material and craftsmanship are of exceptional quality, making it a national treasure in China. Some sights in Mount Taimu may be skipped, but the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats is a must-see. When lay Buddhists bring visitors up the mountain, this hall is always included in the itinerary.

The Bat Cave is six meters deep and is home to thousands of bats. Inside, there is a smaller, pitch-dark cave containing spring water and marine shellfish fossils. Next to the cave is the Bat Nunnery. In the late 1970s, a middle-aged woman suffering from a long-term illness dreamed that the Bat Cave could cure her ailment. She insisted on climbing up the mountain and lived here for three years. Her illness was miraculously cured, so she became a nun and built the Bat Nunnery. There are now dozens of monks here, most of whom suffer from chronic illnesses. Behind the Bat Cave, a ridge path leads to Qinglong Valley, which is 300 meters long and resembles a green dragon, hiding peculiar rocks, strange caves, green trees, and colorful flowers. Attractions include Seven Stars Hanging in the Sky, Old Ox Lying on the Ground, Stone Drum and Gong, Hippo Looking Up, Dolphin Playing in the Waves, -Tree Embracing, and Roc Spreading Its Wings. It is extremely serene, though still undeveloped.

To the right of Xiangshan Temple is Jiuli Lake, built in 1991. Small and exquisite, it is nestled at the bottom of a deep valley. The lake reflects the strange peaks, grotesque rocks, and picturesque landscapes, creating a scene straight out of a poem or painting. Paddling a small boat on the lake is incredibly delightful, and when the breeze blows, the green waves ripple gently—simply magical. This is not only a great spot for leisure and tourism but also a rare and beautiful subject for landscape photography, making it one of the highlights of Mount Taimu.

To the left of Jiuli Lake is a stone path called Tiandeng Ridge. Legend has it that this ridge was built by Wang Toutuo during the Song Dynasty, hence it is also called Tuojiao Ridge. Stretching over 600 meters from Xiangshan Temple to Wangxian Bridge, it has a total of 1,017 stone steps. Tiandeng Ridge is built along cliffs, twisting and turning. Walking along it feels like strolling in mid-air, with gentle mountain breezes and swirling clouds, giving you a feeling of floating among the immortals. When climbing Tuojiao Ridge, remember to look back—you’ll see the deep valley, rising mist, and shimmering waters, as if you’ve entered a fairyland.

At the end of Tuojiao Ridge, there is a stone slab bridge spanning a deep valley, overlooking a seemingly bottomless abyss. It is called “Yufeng Bridge,” also known as “Wangxian Bridge.” Opposite it is Jiuli Chao Tian (Nine Carp Facing the Sky). Ancient poets left many inscriptions here, such as “We gaze at the immortals, but where have they gone? Only an empty mountain and a solitary bridge remain,” and “Having just stepped onto the immortal bridge, I think again of unfinished karma.” During the sixth year of the Qianfu era in the Tang Dynasty, Lin Song, Prefect of Jinzhou, wrote in *Records of Mount Taimu*: “Below the stone is a bottomless cliff, above it is Wangxian Bridge.” It is believed that Wangxian Bridge was built during the Tang Dynasty or even earlier. After crossing Wangxian Bridge, there is a large rock by the roadside shaped like an ancient official’s hat, called “Shamao Rock,” with two cliff inscriptions carved on it. Passing through the Nantianmen Cave leads directly to Nantianmen. The cave is twisted and overgrown with vines, offering endless charm. Continuing upward, you will reach the highest point of Mount Taimu—the Baiyun Temple Scenic Area.

Mount Taimu

Guoxing Temple Scenic Area

Statue of Goddess Taimu

Yipianwa Scenic Area

Pingxing Temple

Liancheng Lingfeng of Mount Taimu

Yingxian Platform Scenic Area

Jiuli Peak Scenic Area

Hulu Cave Scenic Area