Baoding Scenic Area

Baoding Scenic Area

The Baoding was first built during the Tang Dynasty and flourished in the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty. It is world-renowned for its long and rich Buddhist culture. The majestic, steep, and rugged natural scenery of Baoding, along with its profound historical and cultural heritage of Buddhism, captivated countless literati and poets throughout the ages, leaving behind numerous inscribed poems and couplets.

These attractions have drawn large numbers of tourists from Sichuan and Chongqing to visit and pay homage and offer incense.

Baoding is one of the main peaks of the Huaying Mountain range. Surrounded by other peaks, its shape resembles an ancient bronze tripod, hence the name "Baoding" (meaning "Treasure Tripod"). With an elevation of 1,590.8 meters, it stands like a giant atop the mountain range. There is a saying: "Worship eastward at Baoding, worship westward at Emei." It enjoys the reputation of offering a breathtaking panoramic view—"A thousand miles of rivers and mountains lie beneath your gaze; atop the summit, your vision spans far and wide." It is one of China’s eight major Buddhist sacred sites. In the second year of the Tang Dynasty’s Zhide era (757 AD), a temple was built on the mountaintop, originally named "Ruifeng Chan Temple," later renamed "Guangming Chan Temple," and then changed again to "Guangming Temple." It is said to be the place where the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra revealed himself. The scenery of Baoding is picturesque and magnificent, famed for the “Four Wonders” and “Eight Scenic Spots,” wonders known across the land. Throughout history, officials, pilgrims, poets, and scholars have flocked here to burn incense, pray devoutly, explore the sights, admire the scenery, and leave behind numerous poems and essays that have been passed down through the generations. The *Huayin Mountain Annals* compiled by the Qing Dynasty monk Shang Yan included more than 200 such works.

Baoding is known as "one foot in four counties." The mountaintop belongs to Huaying City, with northeastern and eastern areas part of Linshui County, western areas within Huaying City, southeastern parts in Yubei District of Chongqing, and southern areas in Hechuan District of Chongqing. There were originally two trails leading up to Baoding from its western foothills, starting at Xikou. One route goes via Donglin Temple, Tingqiu Pavilion, Earth God Temple, Qinglong Mouth, Mushiju, Nüwa Temple, Fuhu Temple, Bao'en Temple, Huanglong Temple, Baiyun Nunnery, Yubi Rock, and Huanxi Ping to Baoding; the other route passes Tingqiu Pavilion, Sanbai Steps, Chongfu Temple, Jingloutang, Jinshu Shanfang, Little Lion Grove, and Baiyun Nunnery before reaching Baoding. There are also two routes leading up from its eastern foothills. One begins in Linshui County, going through Biyun Nunnery, Hengxing Temple, Jingfo Nunnery, Sansheng Temple, Longquan Temple, and Nan Zongtang to Baoding; the other starts from Dayan (now Daxing Subdistrict in Yubei District, Chongqing), proceeding via Wanfo Hall and Nan Zongtang to Baoding. Along the front and back mountain paths, there were originally 39 temples, most of which have been damaged but are now being gradually restored.