Yunju Mountain–Zhelin Lake Scenic Area

Yunju Mountain–Zhelin Lake Scenic Area

Yunju Mountain–Zhelin Lake Scenic Area is a national-level scenic area.

The Yunju Mountain Scenic Area is located in Yongxiu County, Jiangxi Province. It comprises scenic zones such as Lotus City, Hundred Flowers Valley, Green Stone Lake, and Spring Shrine Hollow, covering an area of 236.5 square kilometers. It is a provincial-level key scenic area mainly dedicated to religious tourism and leisure sightseeing. Yunju Mountain is a famous Buddhist destination in China, and the Zhenshu Chan Temple on the mountain is the birthplace of the Caodong school of Chan Buddhism. It is one of the nation’s “Three Model Monastic Forests” and a nationally key open temple.

Other cultural attractions within the scenic area include Yao Tian Temple, Yuan Tong Temple, Zhi Shu Hall, Yun Men Temple, and Shang Fang An. Nearly a hundred ancient pagodas, numerous cliff inscriptions, and cultural relics such as Tang Dynasty bronze Buddha statues, the Qing Emperor Kangxi’s Thousand Monks Cauldron, and a White Jade Buddha are also preserved. Over 270 poems have been left here by literati throughout history, including Bai Juyi. The natural resources of the scenic area include seven medium to large waterfalls, seventeen uniquely shaped giant rocks such as Stone Drum, Stone Boat, Turtle Stone, and Chicken Stone, along with over fifty attractions including Mingyue Lake and Jiǔ Qū Cave. Zhenshu Chan Temple on Yunju Mountain is a nationally key open temple known for producing eminent monks and maintaining a strong Zen tradition. Eminent figures such as Master Xuyun, the first president of the Buddhist Association of China; Master Xingfu, executive director of the Buddhist Association of China; and Master Haideng, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, have all served as abbots of the temple. It is currently led by Master Yicheng, president of the Buddhist Association of China. Successive abbots of Zhenshu Temple have faithfully upheld the ancestral teaching of “combining farming with meditation,” and the temple is widely acclaimed as “the world’s largest and most orthodox Zen center,” making it a vibrant hub of Zen practice.

The beautiful Zhelin Lake features crystal-clear waters, rippling waves, picturesque scenery, and a pleasant climate. Each season has its own charm: spring brings bright skies and blooming flowers; summer offers fragrant lotuses and is a great retreat from the heat; autumn presents crisp air, abundant rice, and plump fish; while winter is covered in snow, dressed in silvery white. The breathtaking scenery refreshes the mind and lingers in the heart. The lake is surrounded by mountains and boasts over twenty natural and cultural sites.

The Yunju Mountain Scenic Area has a total developed area of 216.5 square kilometers and is divided into six major scenic zones with more than fifty attractions. It is one of the key scenic areas in Jiangxi Province. The air is fresh, the environment beautiful, the vegetation lush, and the climate cool, with summer temperatures only reaching 26 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal destination for travel, summer retreat, and Buddhist pilgrimage. Yunju Mountain is not only scenically magnificent but also rich in cultural heritage. Literary figures throughout history, such as Bai Juyi, Su Dongpo, and Fo Yin, have visited the mountain and left behind many timeless verses.

Throughout history, Yunju Mountain has been celebrated as the “Foremost Beauty of Jiangyou, Renowned Across Four Hundred Regions” and the “Peerless Paradise, Heavenly Yunju,” thanks to its naturally spectacular landscapes and its long-standing status as a sacred site of Chan Buddhism. With its misty clouds, majestic beauty, lush greenery, and pleasant climate, the mountain captivates visitors. To the east, peculiar rocks take on whimsical shapes, and hidden caves are said to shelter immortals; to the north, peaks rise in layered splendor, with extraordinary waterfalls and emerald pools. In the peak of summer, the average temperature in the scenic area remains at just 26 degrees Celsius, making it a perfect place for both travel and Zen practice. Yunju Mountain offers a diverse range of tourism resources. In recent years, these resources have been better planned and comprehensively developed, forming a preliminary tourism region centered around Lotus City where Zhenshu Temple is located, complemented by nearby temples such as Yunmen Temple, Yuantong Temple, Yaotian Temple, and Zhishu Hall. The area is characterized by the “serenity, tranquility, seclusion, and elegance” of Buddhist culture, encompassing seven major types of attractions: ancient temples and pagodas, peculiar peaks and rocks, cascading waterfalls and flowing springs, secluded caves and valleys, clear streams and lakes, mountaintop pastoral scenery, and rare flora and fauna. Currently, there are two main developed scenic zones: Lotus City and Hundred Flowers Valley. The Lotus City zone is a Buddhist cultural sightseeing area centered around the thousand-year-old Zhenshu Chan Temple. Major attractions include Zhenshu Temple, Fo Yin Bridge, Stone Bed, Heart-to-Heart Stone, Mingyue Lake, Zhaozhou Pass, Xuyun Pagoda Courtyard, stupas of eminent monks, and Wooden Fish Stone. The Hundred Flowers Valley zone features enchanting natural landscapes, cascading waterfalls, flowing springs, secluded caves and valleys, supplemented by Buddhist cultural sights. As you enter this zone, blooming flowers, birdsong, and fragrant air make you feel as if you've returned to nature or entered a primeval forest. Key sights include Hongjue Taoist Site, Immortal’s Footprints, Guanyin Mirror, Flying Rock, Five Dragons Pool Waterfall, Hundred Flowers Stream, Stone Fish, and Stone Drum. In addition to its deep Buddhist culture, Yunju Mountain also has a profound legacy in poetry and literature. For centuries, its majestic terrain, beautiful environment, and picturesque scenery—coupled with the long history of the thousand-year-old Zhenshu Chan Temple at the heart of Lotus City and the succession of eminent monks—

have attracted numerous scholars, officials, poets, and writers to climb the mountain for Zen practice, scripture study, or to explore its hidden wonders. Many composed poetry and verses, engaging in literary exchanges and leaving behind many masterpieces. Notable historical literati who visited include Su Dongpo, Huang Tingjian, Wang Anshi, Zhu Xi, Bai Juyi, Pi Xiu, and Lu You. To date, over two hundred and fifty ancient poems have been preserved, all being widely cherished timeless works. Literature inspired by the mountain, and the mountain celebrated through literature, have been passed down through generations, forming a spiritual treasure of significant cultural value. Yunju Mountain, a shining pearl in the history of Chinese Buddhism, welcomes guests from all directions with its renewed charm. The open Zhenshu Temple and the open Yunju Mountain extend warm arms, eagerly awaiting your visit. Upholding the development and management philosophy of “creating first-class environments, order, service, and management,” we aim to make the Yunju Mountain Scenic Area the best travel destination for visitors to breathe in inspiration, blessings, and fresh air.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of National Key Scenic Areas