Sweet Dew Monastery

Sweet Dew Monastery

The mysterious Lama Mountain Sweet Dew Monastery is a wonderful tourist destination on the golden route of the First Grassland North of Beijing, located in Fengning Manchu Autonomous County, Hebei Province. The most captivating features of the monastery are the "three wonders" of mountain, water, and tree. Historical records indicate that high-ranking Lama monks practiced here as early as the Liao Dynasty, hence the name Lama Mountain. Geologists were the first to discover the world’s rare Quaternary glacial wonders here, especially a glacial erratic pothole suspended on the ridge, which is a spectacular sight. Professor Han Tonglin personally inscribed it as the "No.1 Pothole Under Heaven."

Sweet Dew Monastery is situated at the foot of the main peak of Lama Mountain, known as the "Marvelous Peak of Northern Yan," standing at an elevation of 1,198 meters. It features traditional Chinese architecture with grey bricks and dark tiles, exuding an ancient charm. The mountain gate is adorned with a seal script plaque inscribed “Sweet Dew Monastery,” flanked by a couplet: “The Buddha reveals the mountain’s form, bringing peace and joy to all beings in the northern frontier; the mountain takes on the Buddha’s visage, bestowing solemn dignity upon the land of China.”

A poem praises: “All acclaim the Five Great Mountains as wonders, yet I say nay to such a view; having toured three thousand verdant peaks, none surpass the majesty of Lama Mountain.” Among the ten scenic highlights of the monastery, the most captivating are the “three wonders” of mountain, water, and tree: First is the wonder of the mountain—the main peak naturally forms the image of a bare-bellied Maitreya Buddha sitting cross-legged, reaching a height of 588 meters, said to be the tallest of its kind in the world. On the cliffs is a natural cave known as the Hanging Cliff Meditation Cave, with pine logs overhead and iron chains hanging down, once used as a hermitage by ancient Lama monks. There are many mysterious legends, and historical records state that Lama monks practiced here even before the Liao Dynasty. Even more intriguingly, on the eastern wall of the Hanging Cliff Meditation Cave is a massive footprint, flat on the outside and curved within, strikingly lifelike—as if a right human foot had just pressed into soft mud, with the imprint still fresh. Legend says this is the Buddha’s footprint, hailed as the “One Step to Heaven.” Second is the wonder of water—within the mountain are three little-known sources of “zero water”: the first drop is a natural spring halfway up the mountain on granite rock, known as the “Sweet Dew Spring”; the second drop is a gourd-shaped pool in the Hanging Cliff Meditation Cave that never overflows despite being full and never runs dry no matter how much is taken, called the “Sacred Water Pool”; the third is a moon pond near where ancient monks once stayed, reflecting the sun, moon, and stars in its clear, tranquil waters. Third is the wonder of the tree—recently, a unique tree has naturally grown beside the moon pond, with a willow-like trunk and poplar-like leaves. Devotees revere this tree as the “willow branch” used by Guanyin Bodhisattva to sprinkle purifying water.

Geologists were the first to scientifically discover the highly valuable and rare Quaternary glacial wonders in this area, especially a glacial erratic pothole suspended on the ridge, which is a spectacular sight. Professor Han Tonglin personally inscribed it as the "No.1 Pothole Under Heaven." In May 2000, while inspecting the Xiaobazi sandstorm source, the Premier passed by here and, facing the peaks of Lama Mountain, remarked: “These mountains are very beautiful and represent excellent tourism resources...”

Ten Scenic Spots of Lama Mountain Sweet Dew Monastery

The First Sight: The Mountain Takes on the Buddha’s Form — Truly Strange, Hence the Name Lama Mountain

The Second Sight: The Boundless Great Vehicle Cave — Caves Within Caves, All Interconnected

The Third Sight: The Bell Tower of Buddha Mountain — Its Chimes Resound to the Ninth Heaven

The Fourth Sight: The Drum Tower of Buddha Mountain — The Force of the Drum Brings Boundless Joy

The Fifth Sight: Ascending to Heaven on a Cliff — Soaring Straight Up as if Becoming Immortal

The Sixth Sight: Heart and Moon Share the Light — Yin and Yang Waters Refresh the Face, Revitalize the Spirit, and Beautify the Complexion

The Seventh Sight: Traces of Yuan and Ming Monks Still Remain — Ancient Relics Lie Right Before Your Eyes

The Eighth Sight: The Cave Reveals Zen Mysteries — Enlightenment Comes Through Puzzling Clues

The Ninth Sight: One Step to Heaven — The Buddha’s Footprint, with Fresh Mud Still Visible Beneath

The Tenth Sight: Sweet Dew Monastery Is Like Sweet Dew — Drinking Its Water Heals Illnesses and Promotes Longevity