2012 China Self-Drive Tour Route Awards —— Lotus Buddha Land: Jiuhuashan

        Reasons to Drive

        Devotees kneel in devout worship, incense smoke curls from the censers, and the peaks rise like lotuses all around — what a magical and mysterious Lotus Buddha Land.

       Impressions

        Tiantai Temple —— Baisui Palace —— Zhanyuan Temple —— Huacheng Temple —— Chanlin Temple —— Jiuhua Street —— Flesh Body Shrine —— Jiuhua Vegetarian Cuisine

        Tiantai Temple: Tiantai Temple stands atop Jiuhuashan. Viewed from the foot of the mountain, the temple exudes a majestic and serene presence as if the Buddha himself gazes upon all beings; from the temple, you can look down upon the nine lotus-like peaks, and even find yourself gaining a Zen-like insight that transcends worldly troubles.

        Baisui Palace: Baisui Palace is a five-story classical corridor-style building, perched dramatically on a cliff, nestled among lush pines and cypresses. Truly, an ancient temple hidden in the mountains, waiting only for those with the karma to find it.

        Zhanyuan Temple: The entire structure of Zhanyuan Temple features an asymmetrical layout, a rare architectural design among classical Chinese temples.

        Huacheng Temple: As the red sun sets and white clouds return to the hills, the evening bell of Huacheng Temple rings out along with the long, drawn-out chanting. Pilgrims who come to pray often pause here to listen to this “compassionate Dharma sound that delivers all beings,” its reverberations echoing through the mountain valleys, purifying both body and soul with its Zen resonance.

        Chanlin Temple: The temple is tucked away between Shenguang Ridge and Furong Peak, surrounded by verdant trees and drifting clouds. The air in the mountains is fresh and tranquil, and everything you see and hear is pleasing to the senses.

        Jiuhua Street: Covering an area of about 4 square kilometers, Jiuhua Street is the core scenic area of Jiuhuashan and a hub for pilgrims and tourists. The old street is lined with shops and temples, where monks and laypeople coexist, and farming and Zen practice are pursued in harmony. It is a place where Jiuhuashan’s humanistic culture flourishes.

        Flesh Body Shrine: Located at the top of Shenguang Ridge on Jiuhua Street, the shrine was first built during the Zhenyuan era of the Tang Dynasty. The Venerable Jin Qiaojue used this site to read scriptures in his later years. Three years after his passing, his face remained lifelike — seen as a sign of his Bodhisattva incarnation. A three-story stone pagoda was then erected here to enshrine his relics, known as the Flesh Body Pagoda or the Kṣitigarbha Tomb.

        Jiuhua Vegetarian Cuisine: The flavor of Jiuhua vegetarian food belongs to the monastic vegetarian cuisine tradition. Later, modern cooking techniques were applied, blending northern and southern flavors and incorporating local Jiuhuashan characteristics. Local wild vegetables, mountain delicacies, and rustic dishes were introduced into the vegetarian repertoire, forming what is now known as Jiuhua “vegetarian food.” The main ingredients are locally grown herbs such as polygonatum, lily bulbs, stone ear fungus, wood ear fungus, bamboo shoots, daylilies, and carrots, paired with tofu, gluten, and vegetable oil. These are prepared by methods such as stir-frying, braising, stewing, or baking, usually without added coloring or heavy seasonings, keeping the dishes light and simple. Over 100 varieties are available. The dishes are fragrant, crisp, fresh, and tender. Without heavy sauces or spices, they offer a uniquely refreshing and serene taste, are highly nutritious, and never grow tiresome even with frequent consumption.

      Recommended Itinerary

        Jiuhua Street —— Huacheng Temple —— Flesh Body Shrine —— Chanlin Temple —— Tiantai Temple

        After arriving at the parking lot at the foot of Jiuhuashan, purchase your Jiuhuashan ticket, then take the scenic area shuttle bus from Ke Village Station and get off at Jiuhua Street entrance. Walk to Jiuhua Street and check into a suitable hotel or one you’ve booked in advance. Once settled, after dropping off your luggage, you may want to start with a visit to the founding temple, Huacheng Temple, to offer incense. Huacheng Temple is located at the foot of Yunshan Mountain in the Jiuhua area. You’ll be greeted by a circular plaza, in the center of which lies a crescent-shaped lotus pond called Yueya Pond. All who come to Huacheng Temple will listen to the evening bell, experiencing the sacred tones of the “evening bell that delivers all beings,” with its verses “Compassionately delivering all beings, vast vows resound far and wide; the city opens its gates east and west; in the evening, incense and karma flourish, the bell sends Dharma sounds soaring through space,” to dispel the worries of worldly life.