Little White Mountain

　　Little White Mountain is situated 1.2 kilometers west of the Jilin to Fengman West Route Highway, with an altitude of 314.6 meters. It was formerly called White Tiger Mountain due to its shape resembling a crouching tiger lying with its head to the north and tail to the south. Located to the west of Jilin City, according to the Eastern Han Dynasty scholar Ban Gu’s “Baihu Tongyi” (White Tiger Classic), which states “the Vermilion Bird in front, the Black Tortoise behind, the Azure Dragon on the left, and the White Tiger on the right,” the White Tiger symbolizes the west—hence the name. It is one of the four famous mountains of Jilin City.

　　In Manchu, Little White Mountain is called “Wendehe” or “Wende’en,” meaning “sacrificial altar board,” originating from its past role as a site where the Qing Dynasty conducted remote sacrifices to Changbai Mountain, the birthplace of the Manchu people.

　　The ancestors of the Qing emperors originated from Changbai Mountain and established their dynasty there, so the Qing regarded Changbai Mountain as a sacred mountain. Emperors throughout the dynasties would offer sacrifices to it. However, the journey to Changbai Mountain was long and the transportation difficult. Therefore, in the 11th year of the Yongzheng reign (1733), a five-bay main hall of the Wangji (Distant Sacrifice) Temple was built on Little White Mountain, along with a two-bay sacrificial instrument building at the foot of the mountain for the chief officiating officials to stay in during rituals. A deer enclosure was also established at the mountain’s base to raise animals for the sacrifices. The Wangji Temple enshrined the “Spirit Tablet of Changbai Mountain,” and local officials would conduct the spring and autumn sacrifices on behalf of the emperor.

　　After the Wangji Temple was completed, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty, Aisin-Gioro Hongli, personally came to Little White Mountain to perform the ceremony in the 19th year of the Qianlong reign (1754). At that time, Little White Mountain was covered with lush ancient trees, fragrant grass, blooming wildflowers, and the sounds of birds—it was an exceptionally beautiful landscape. “Deer Enclosure at White Mountain” became one of the Eight Scenic Spots of old Jilin.

　　During the Liberation War period, Little White Mountain suffered severe destruction by -army forces. The only remaining sacrificial instrument building was also ruined during the ten-year –, leaving only ruins behind.

　　The best route to Little White Mountain: Take bus No. 19 (westbound to Fengman) from Jilin Railway Station to Hongqi Cold Drink stop. There is a cement road leading directly to Little White Mountain across from the stop. It takes about 15 minutes to walk. The one-way bus fare is 2 yuan.