On the eve of the Dragon Boat Festival, embark on a pilgrimage to commemorate youthful days with a counterclockwise traverse of the Great Five Terraces.Follow my lens as we step into the Great Five Terraces together.

— Preface

       Mount Wutai, along with Mount Putuo, Mount Jiuhua, and Mount Emei, is known as one of China’s Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains. It is also recognized as one of the world’s Five Great Buddhist Sanctuaries, alongside Lumbini Garden in Nepal, Sarnath in India, Bodh Gaya, and Kushinagar. The five main peaks of Mount Wutai are named after the five cardinal directions: East Terrace, North Terrace, West Terrace, South Terrace, and Central Terrace. Among them, the East, North, West, and Central Terraces form a continuous mountain range, while the South Terrace stands alone as an independent peak.According to the "Famous Mountains Record": "The Five Terraces of Mount Wutai rise high above the clouds, with treeless summits that resemble earthen platforms, hence the name 'Five Terraces'."

(1) Transportation:

• K601 (22:23–04:30): Beijing → Mount Wutai
• K604 (23:06–05:33): Mount Wutai → Beijing
  
  

(2) Hiking Route:

• Day 1: Hongmen Rock →East Terrace→ Hongmen Rock → Fayun Temple → Roof of North China →North Terrace→Central Terrace→West Terrace→ Jixiang Temple → Shiziwo Temple (15h14min hiking, 39.49km distance, 1370m ascent, 1579m descent)
• Day 2: Shiziwo Temple → Jin’ge Temple→ South Terrace→ Kuantan Village (7h2min hiking, 24.94km distance, 1861m ascent, 2401m descent)
  
  

(3) Gear:

• Kailas Ice Blade Climbing Jacket (KG210015, RMB 2999);
• Kailas Softshell Jacket (KG210237, RMB 999);
• Kailas Softshell Pants (KG510400, RMB 799);
• Kailas Short-Sleeve T-Shirt (KG710387, RMB 299);
• Kailas Wind Cave Backpack (KA30012, RMB 799);
• Kailas Baseball Cap (KF110015, RMB 199);
• Suunto Traverse Alpha watch,LaSportiva CoreHighGTXhiking shoes, Spyoptic Discord sunglasses, etc.
  
  

Here, special thanks to Kailas for their full sponsorship.

Day 1

Dongtai

       The summit of Dongtai Wanghai Peak stands at an elevation of 2,795 meters, its peak resembling the spine of a mythical sea creature.At the top of Dongtai sits Wanghai Temple, which enshrines the Wisdom Bodhisattva Wenshu.The *Qingliang Mountain Annals* record: “Steam rises from the valleys, autumn air is crisp and clear; to the east, radiant morning clouds resemble ponds or mirrors—this is the sea. The distant islands of the vast ocean can also be seen, hence the name.”As the sun rises, beams of rosy light spread across the sky.Climbing to greet the sunrise,you find yourself immersed in a sea of clouds and mist—a scene of serenity and solemnity.

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Beitai

       Beitai Yedou Peak, at an altitude of 3,061 meters, stands tall and majestic.Atop the peak lies Lingying Temple, which houses a statue of the Immaculate Wenshu.Yedou Peakis the highest peak among the Five Terraces and also the highest point in North China, often referred to as the “Roof of North China.”The *Qingliang Mountain Annals*      state: “Looking up from below, its summit seems to scrape the handle of the Big Dipper; wind, clouds, thunder, and rain all emerge from halfway up its slopes.”

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Zhongtai

       Zhongtai Cui Shi Peak has a summit elevation of 2,894 meters. At its top stands Yanjiao Temple, which enshrines the Juvenile Wenshu.

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Xitai

       Xitai Guayue Peak stands 2,773 meters above sea level. Atop Xitai is Falei Temple, which primarily enshrines the Lion’s Roar Wenshu.

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Day 2

Nantai

       Nantai Jinxiu Peak, with an elevation of 2,485 meters, has a summit that resembles an inverted bowl. At its top is Puji Temple, which enshrines the Wisdom Wenshu. The *Qingliang Mountain Annals* describe it as: “The mountain peak rises steeply, its smoke-laden hues deep and emerald; fine grasses and assorted flowers blanket the ridges, spreading out like an embroidered brocade—thus the name.”

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Shooting location: Xinzhou, Shanxi

Shooting dates: 20170520-21