Lincheng Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area

Lincheng Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area

The Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area is situated 8 kilometers northwest of the Kongshan Baiyun Karst Cave. It encompasses peaks such as Dapingtai, Wugucang, Shizhufeng, -shan, and Jiujianshan, spanning approximately 23 square kilometers in total area, with the highest peak at an elevation of 599 meters. Viewed from afar, the mountain looks like a colossal reclining Buddha with its head facing east and feet to the west. The rocks of Tiantai Mountain form part of a danxia landform made up of red quartz sandstone. The rock peaks and cliffs are characterized by flat tops, steep walls, sloping sides, and lush vegetation. The mountain earned its name due to its towering, tree-like form, flat-topped summit resembling a small platform, intricate shapes, and richly diverse scenery.

Upon entering the Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area, visitors are greeted by thousands of acres of ancient cypress woods, dense and lush, exuding an ancient and elegant charm. These trees set off the majestic and upright main peak of Tiantai Mountain, which resembles a solemn and dignified reclining Buddha, creating a breathtaking natural landscape. Among the grass, in front of flowers, and along stone streams, trickles of clear spring water flow gently—cup your hands and drink, and you’ll taste its cool purity. Thanks to the well-developed root systems of the cypress trees, their medicinal properties, and the many other herbs growing in the mountains, the water here is believed to be spiritually infused. Drinking it is said to cure ailments and strengthen health, while using it for bathing can treat various stubborn skin diseases.

Tiantai Mountain offers stunning scenery in all seasons: in spring, fiery red azaleas blaze across the hillsides; in summer, red sage flowers dot the greenery; in autumn, wildflowers fill the air with fragrance; and in winter, stalwart pines and cypresses stand proudly against the snow.

Ascending to the summit of Tiantai, visitors can gaze out to see farmers’ cooking smoke, houses, fields, paths, and lakes—all vividly in sight—painting a picturesque rural scene straight out of poetry. It’s said that on clear days, the view expands even further, allowing one to overlook nine counties: Zanhuang, Yuanshi, Zhaoxian, Ningjin, Gaoyi, Baixiang, Longyao, Xingtai, and Neiqiu—hence the name “Jiuxian’ao” or “Nine Counties’ Summit.”

To climb Tiantai, one must first tackle the “Heavenly Ladder” of Longshou Gorge. The gorge features grotesque and rugged rocks, jagged and twisted like a dragon raising its head as if ready to take flight. Qiao Bixing, a Ming Dynasty governor of Sichuan and right censor of the Censorate, ascended here to enjoy the view and named it “Longshou Gorge,” leaving behind the verse: “Cloud roots rise high west of the ancient city, a vast expanse of haziness turns the gaze bewildered. After several climbs on the rocky steps, the towering path seems like a heavenly ladder.”

The cliffs of Tiantai are sheer and precipitous, shaped uniquely like flying eaves and bracket arms, chronicling the undulations, dislocations, weathering, and erosion of the oldest rock layers.

Halfway up the cliff, there is a narrow and rugged “plank walkway” stretching over a hundred meters, which is extremely difficult for ordinary people to traverse. Local legend says that immortals once climbed up and down these rocks, hence the name “Cliff Immortal Path.” In reality, one can imagine that those who navigated the cliffs were certainly not immortals but local herb-gathering farmers, drawn by the abundance of rare medicinal plants in the mountain. Over time, this path became known as the “Immortal Path.” There was also originally a pavilion halfway up the mountain, named “Hanging Pavilion” because it was built atop a steep cliff. Since there was no access route in ancient times, no one knows which year or who built it, leaving behind an eternal mystery. What is known is that it was a small wooden pavilion with dragon-horn-shaped brackets, gray tiles, and four corners. The current pavilion was later reconstructed based on the legend. With flying eaves, bracket arms, red pillars, and yellow tiles, it is magnificent and resplendent. Standing inside, with hundred-meter-high cliffs hanging overhead and bottomless abysses beneath, one can’t help but feel an ethereal, otherworldly aura.

Tiantai Mountain is not only remarkable for its peculiar peaks but also for its many unusual rocks. Halfway up the mountain, there lies a solitary massive rock, bluish in color, standing out starkly from the surrounding stone, as if it had flown down from the heavens—locals call it the “Flying Rock.” Legend says that a monk named Benkuan, after prolonged meditation and having perfected his spiritual powers, one night tried to test his abilities with a friend. They chanted incantations to summon a huge rock from afar, which then floated gently and landed here. Unfortunately, when sending off their “guest,” they got too excited and forgot the incantation, causing the rock to remain here forever. There is also a rock called the “Phoenix Egg,” named for its resemblance to one. Legend has it that long ago, the area was densely forested and roamed by tigers and leopards. Smoke and white clouds often billowed from cracks in the mountain, covering the sky, bringing sudden downpours that caused great harm to nearby residents. One day, the Supreme Ultimate True Man descended here, radiating Buddha’s light and auspicious clouds, dispelling the disasters and bringing blessings. Ever since, numerous worshippers have flocked here to burn incense, leading to the construction of Xianyan Nunnery. The site became bustling with pilgrims and flourishing with incense, a spectacular sight. A phoenix, witnessing this scene, was so captivated that it forgot to lay its egg in time—resulting in the egg being laid halfway down the mountain, now known as the “Phoenix Egg.”

Tiantai Mountain was said to have eight scenic wonders in ancient times. Major attractions include: valleys, waterfalls, springs, Wugucang, Longshou Gorge, Tianquan (Heavenly Circle), Jiuxian’ao, Da-shan (Big Mountain), Xiao-shan (Small Mountain), Yunhai Pavilion (Cloud Sea Pavilion), Banbi Hall (Half-wall Hall), as well as nearly thirty other sites such as Nanchan (South Chan), Beichan (North Chan), Ciyun Temple, Xianyan Nunnery, and Taoyuan Cave.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: 8 kilometers northwest of the Kongshan Baiyun Karst Cave, Lincheng County, Xingtai City, Hebei Province

Transit Routes: Take a bus from Lincheng County headed for the Karst Cave or Xishu Town, get off at the Karst Cave Bus Station, then take a motorcycle taxi to the scenic area.