Guanyin Cave (Qixian Temple) at Mount Wutai

Guanyin Cave (Qixian Temple) at Mount Wutai

Guanyin Cave (Qixian Temple) at Mount Wutai is a cultural heritage site protected by Wutai County.

At the end of the passage is a large rock cave halfway up the mountainside and the grand hall in front of it. The hall has three bays, with upturned eaves. Inside the hall, the main deity enshrined is the Eight-Armed Eleven-Faced Guanyin, whose face is painted in white, red, green, blue, and other colors, representing various manifestations. On either side are also enshrined Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Tsongkhapa, the founder of the - sect. To the left behind the hall is a small cave, which legend says was a refuge for the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, during the Qing Dynasty’s Kangxi era. There is also a legend that the structures along the mid-section of the cliffside at this temple were once the dwellings of the 13th Dalai Lama. Therefore, Tibetan Buddhists consider Guanyin Cave an essential site when visiting Mount Wutai.

Qixian Temple, also known as Guanyin Cave, is located at the mouth of Qixian Valley, north of Nanshan Temple, about 5 kilometers from Taihuai Town. The temple is built on a cliff. Starting from the lower courtyard at the base of the cliff, stone steps are carved into the rock, with pavilions and monks’ quarters constructed against the protruding cliff faces. The main structure of the lower courtyard features a five-bay hall facing forward, the middle bay serving as a passageway, leading to a narrow stone stairway beneath the cliff. Midway along the passage, on an outwardly protruding rock, stands a hexagonal pavilion called Guanyin Pavilion. The horizontal beams under its eaves feature three paintings, all depicting Guanyin revealing her true form to rescue ordinary people threatened by bandits or wild beasts. In the mid-section, a seven-bay hall and monks’ quarters are built along the cliff wall. Entering through a small door, the space between the walls and the cliff is very tight, with the path being less than one meter wide. One section of the walls in the middle is painted with the Eighteen Arhats, depicted in groups of six, all in everyday life poses, full of worldly charm.

Guanyin Cave, also called Qixian Temple, was first built during the Ming Dynasty and originally served as a place for - to worship and recite scriptures in the mountains. It earned its name because a statue of Guanyin was enshrined inside a rock cave. The temple is built atop a cliff. Starting from the lower courtyard at the base of the cliff, stone steps are carved as a pathway, with pavilions and monks' quarters built along the protruding cliffs. The edge of the stone path along the cliff is protected by a red wall, which winds its way up to the grand hall in front of the upper cave — an extremely steep and dramatic setting. Legend says the cave of Guanyin Cave is where the Bodhisattva Guanyin revealed her spiritual power, hence the temple was built around the cave.

The Guanyin Cave Temple was established during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1662–1722). The lower courtyard is neat and enclosed by high walls. Passing through the central bay of the lower hall leads to the stone staircase ascending the cliff. Midway up the steps is a hexagonal pavilion built on a protruding rock, known as the “Flying Pavilion.” The horizontal beam above it features three paintings of Guanyin saving people in distress, hence it is also called Guanyin Pavilion. The three paintings depict: one, Guanyin appearing to save a person tied up by bandits and about to be killed with a knife; two, Guanyin appearing to rescue someone from having a rock dropped on them by thugs; and three, Guanyin seated in the clouds saving someone about to be attacked by a tiger. Together, these paintings highlight the compassionate nature of the Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Along the mid-section cliffside are seven bays of monks' quarters and halls. Entering through a small gate, the space between the walls and the rock face is extremely narrow, with the pathway being less than three feet wide. One section of the wall is painted with the Eighteen Arhats, depicted in six-group scenes of monastic life — sitting on rocks, riding tigers, riding deer, meditating cross-legged, or lying down with their heads resting on scriptures — full of charm. The stone stairway ends at the upper courtyard of Guanyin Cave. In the main hall of the courtyard, the central deity enshrined is Guanyin Bodhisattva, hence the hall is called the Guanyin Hall. The Guanyin here has eight arms and eleven faces, with additional smaller faces aligned along the top of her head from her forehead, hence the name “Eleven-Faced.” Her face is painted in white, red, green, blue, and other hues, representing different manifestations. On either side are also enshrined Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, Maitreya Bodhisattva, and Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect. Behind the main hall, there are two small caves on either side of the cave wall. The left cave has a small entrance but opens up inside, with clear water pooled at the bottom — this is referred to as the “Holy Water.” Buddhists believe drinking this water can “avert disasters and eliminate obstacles.”

Address: Within Mount Wutai Scenic Area, Wutai County, Xinzhou City

Type: Historical Monument / Historic Architecture

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 6.0 RMB

Guanyin Cave ticket: 6 RMB. Mount Wutai ticket: Peak season (April 1 – October 31): 168 RMB; Off-season (November 1 – March 31 of the following year): 140 RMB.

Taihuai Town: Originally located in the central part of Mount Wutai, by the Qingshui River, Taihuai Town got its name from being surrounded by five peaks. Nearby is the famous cluster of temples of Mount Wutai. In the early Qing Dynasty, Taihuai once served as an imperial retreat, where Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong visited and stayed multiple times. Taihuai is a local market town that receives countless tourists and merchants every year. ... More detailed information about Taihuai Town++