Gaotai Temple

Gaotai Temple

Gaotai Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

On a small hill below Shangfeng Temple on Biluo Peak stands a temple named Gaotai Temple. Its gate is flanked by couplets reading “Pine shade covers the ground” and “Buddhist teachings reach the sky.” The existing structure was rebuilt in the 25th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1546 AD). The temple is situated in the mountains at an altitude of over 1,000 meters. It has been historically characterized by “lofty mountains, peculiar rocks, clear springs, and ancient villages.”

The temple is surrounded by rugged rocks, offering a high vantage point with numerous inscriptions carved into the stone cliffs. Nearby, there is a “Sea-Viewing Pavilion,” an ideal spot to admire sea of clouds. Not far in front of the temple lies the “Cloud-Opening Pavilion,” entirely built from granite and standing opposite the South Heaven Gate stone archway. Beside the pavilion, the “Moon Pond” still exists but is dry. A small flat area by the pond allows vehicles to turn around.

To the right and below the temple lies Guanyin Rock, which bears the inscription “Eagle’s Nest.” Nearby are a small hut and a cave housing a statue of Guanyin. On either side of the rock stand unusual stones, the one on the right being particularly tall. Beneath the left stone is a clear, icy spring called Guanyin Spring, which provides drinking water for the monks. Below the rock is also the Yanxia Cave, flanked by a stone dragon head, a stone toad, a prostrate elephant facing the truth stone, and a dragon-subduing stone.