Bijian Temple (Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units) Era: Ming to Qing Dynasties Address: 2 km northeast of Taihuai Town, Mount Wutai The largest monastery in Mount Wutai open to all Buddhist schools. The temple was originally built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The eminent monk Dharma Master Fachun once preached here. It was rebuilt during the Chenghua era of the Ming Dynasty (1465–1487), and was known by various names such as Pujisi, Huguo Temple, and Beishan Temple. It underwent multiple renovations during the Qing Dynasty…
Highlights: The term "Vulture" originates from ancient India. In ancient India, there was a mountain that resembled a vulture in shape and was home to many vultures. It was believed to be spiritually potent and thus called Vulture Mountain, often abbreviated as Spirit Mountain. Legend has it that Siddhartha Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, lived and preached on this mountain for many years. As a result, many Buddhist legends are associated with this mountain. Vulture Mountain often…
Nanchan Temple is located in Taihuai Town, Wutai County, Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province. The main hall of Nanchan Temple was built in the second year of the Jianzhong era of the Tang Dynasty (780 AD), making it over 1,200 years old. The main hall of Nanchan Temple is the oldest surviving Buddhist temple structure in China and holds a significant place in the history of Chinese architecture. This precious cultural relic has managed to…
Bodhisattva Summit is located on Lingjiu Peak of Mount Wutai in Shanxi Province. Dazzlingly splendid and richly colorful with an imperial palace style, it is the largest temple on Mount Wutai and one of the nationally key Buddhist temples in Han Chinese regions designated by the State Council. Introduction: The largest Gelug monastery in Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province. It is situated on Lingjiu Peak, north of Xiantong Temple in Taihuai Town of Mount Wutai...
Tayuan Temple is located in the southern part of Xiantong Temple in Taihuai Town, Mount Wutai. It is one of the five major Buddhist monastic sites on Mount Wutai. Historical records indicate that during the Wei and Tang dynasties, this area served as the pagoda courtyard of the Dafu Lingyan Temple (Xiantong Temple). In the fifth year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1407), eunuch Yang Sheng was ordered to renovate it, after which it became an independent temple. The pagoda was refurbished during the Jiajing and Wanli eras, and additional halls were constructed in the Qing Dynasty, resulting in its current…
Introduction: The northern peak of Mount Wutai is called Yedou Peak, known for its breathtaking steepness. Located 5 kilometers north of Taihuai Town, it stands at an elevation of 3,058 meters and covers an area of over 400 acres. It is the highest peak in Mount Wutai as well as the highest in North China. The summit has an exceptionally cold climate, with snow typically appearing in September and melting in April. The shaded side of the peak…
: "Prajna" is a transliteration from Sanskrit, meaning wisdom. Prajna Spring implies that drinking its water can enhance one's wisdom. Highlights: Also known as Longevity Spring, legend has it that Emperor Kangxi used water from Prajna Spring for cooking and making tea during his visit to Mount Wutai, hence the name. Every time the Panchen Lama and other dignitaries visited Mount Wutai, special personnel were dispatched to fetch water from Prajna Spring...
Baohua Temple on Mount Wutai is located about 400 meters northeast of Yangpodao Village, Taihuai Town, Wutai County. According to the *Records of Mount Qingliang*, the temple was originally built during the Ming Dynasty by a monk named Zhengcan. It was first called Zahuayan, serving as a quiet retreat in the monastic woods. In the 50th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty (1711), it was rebuilt by a monk named Qinxing. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1875–190…)
Introduction: Cuiyan Peak, the Middle Terrace of Mount Wutai, is located 10 kilometers northwest of Taihuai Town at an elevation of 2,894 meters. The terrace is broad and flat, covering an area of over 200 acres. It is covered with massive rocks, known as "Dragon-Turning Rocks." The climate at the summit is harsh and highly changeable, with snow falling for eight months of the year, and temperatures often dropping as low as -45°C…
In the central temple cluster area of Taihuai Town in Mount Wutai, Shanxi Province, the “Five Peaks within the Mountain” embrace it closely: Dailuoding, Pusading, Shouning Temple, and Lingying Temple are situated along the surrounding ridges and mountaintops, echoing the towering Great White Pagoda in the heartland. Together, they truly resemble majestic and grand peaks beneath which rise the elegant and lofty “Five Peaks within the Mountain.” Introduction…
Highlights: Fanshen Mountain, also known as Fanship Mountain. The name "Fanship" (literally “Rice Immortal”) is said to have been conferred by Emperor Kangxi himself.
Foguang Temple is located southeast of Foguang Village, Doucun Town, Wutai County. According to the *Records of Mount Qingliang*, it was initially built during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (471–499). In the fifth year of the Huichang era (845) under Emperor Wuzong of the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism was suppressed nationwide, and the temple was almost entirely destroyed, with only a few stupa monuments remaining. In the eleventh year of the Dazhong era (857) during the Tang Dynasty, it was rebuilt under the direction of…
The Buddha Mother Cave of Mount Wutai, also known as the Thousand Buddha Cave of Mount Wutai, is located about 1,800 meters southwest of Baiyun Temple Village, Taihuai Town, Wutai County. Facing south, it stretches 172.56 meters from east to west and 63.67 meters from north to south, covering an area of approximately 11,000 square meters. According to the Ming Dynasty’s *Qingliang Mountain Annals*, it was established during the Jiajing era (1522–1566)...
Introduction: The West Platform of Mount Wutai is called Guayue Peak. It is located 13 kilometers west of Taihuai Town, with an elevation of 2,773 meters. The summit is as flat as a palm, covering an area of over 300 acres. When the bright moon shines and mountain springs murmur, it creates a poetic and picturesque scene. As the moon hangs atop the peak, it resembles a suspended mirror. Viewing the moon from the summit of the West Platform offers a unique experience. At the top of the peak...
Guide: This temple was first built during the Northern Wei Dynasty. The temple faces south with its back to the north and currently consists of two main halls: the Mahavira Hall and the Vajra Bodhisattva Hall. The Vajra Bodhisattva Hall has three bays on the front and originally displayed a wooden plaque inscribed with Emperor Kangxi’s calligraphy “Laughing at the Moon over the Pool,” which hung high above the entrance. The Vajra Bodhisattva inside the hall features a unique design and is the only black-bodied bodhisattva on Mount Wutai...
Guangzong Temple is located on the mountainside of Yingfang Village in Taihuai Town, below the Bodhisattva Summit. It was first built in the second year of the Zhengde era during the Ming Dynasty and renovated during the Qing Dynasty. Nestled against the mountain, the temple is small in size but features a well-organized layout. It is one of the Ten Great Green-Tiled Temples of Mount Wutai. The Copper Tile Hall, the main hall of the temple, consists of three rooms and is uniquely covered with copper tiles, setting it apart from other temples on Mount Wutai. …
Jifu Temple in Mount Wutai is located approximately 600 meters northeast of Dongzhuang Village, Taihuai Town, Wutai County. It faces south and measures 153.72 meters from east to west and 105.10 meters from north to south, covering an area of 16,200 square meters. According to the Qing Dynasty’s *Wutai County Annals*, it was built during the Daoguang era (1821–1850). The existing structures…
Introduction: The southern peak of Mount Wutai is called Splendid Peak. It is located 12 kilometers south of Taihuai Town, at an altitude of 2,485 meters, covering an area of over 200 acres. The summit resembles an inverted gourd-shaped bottle, spanning about one li in circumference. Delicate flowers and weeds blanket the entire mountain, resembling a green carpet. Rare species such as “golden lotus,” “sunflower chrysanthemum,” and the precious “silver…” can be found here.
Xiguan Lingying Temple is located on Ximishi Street, Xiguan Village, Taicheng Town, Wutai County. Facing south and situated to the north, it covers an area of 1,408 square meters. Currently, only a small, courtyard-style temple on the north side of the road remains. Lingying Temple, now commonly referred to as Guan Di Temple (the Temple of the God of War), has an uncertain founding date, but the existing structure dates back to the Qing Dynasty. The main hall, known as the North Hall, features three bays in width and four rafters in depth, with a flush gable roof...
Located within the abbot’s courtyard of Tayuan Temple on Mount Wutai. In the spring of 1948, Mao Zedong led the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China as they departed Yan’an, passed through northwestern Shanxi, and headed to Xibaipo in Hebei Province. During this time, he resided here. The left room of the main building in the rear courtyard was Mao’s living quarters at the time. The interior is arranged as it originally was, with a military blanket spread on the kang (a heated brick bed), a wooden table placed on the floor…