Mt. Wutaishan Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Wutai was the first of the four mountains to be identified and is often referred to as "first among the four great mountains." It was identified on the basis of a passage in the Avatamsaka Sutra, which describes the abodes of many bodhisattvas. In this chapter, Manjusri is said to reside on a "clear cold mountain" in the northeast. This served as charter for the mountains identity and its alternate name "Clear Cool Mountain".
What to see
Nature
-
Wanghai Peak (Peak Overlooking the Sea) in the east: 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) east of Taihuai Town in Wutai County, there is Wanghai Peak. Visitors standing on the top of the peak, east of Mt. Wutaishan, can appreciate the height of 2,795 meters (9,169.9 feet). It is wonderful to see the sunrise in the morning from this location. Out of a sea of floating clouds and writhing mist, the sun rises with thousands of golden rays. It fills visitors with amazement, as they can believe it is the sun rising above the real sea.
-
Guayue Peak (Hanging Moon Peak) in the west: Guayue Peak reaches an altitude of 2,773 meters (9,097.8 feet) and is 13 kilometers (8.1 miles) west of Taihuai Town. This peak provides unique imagery in the evening when visitors can see the elegant and serene sight of the graceful but hazy moon hanging above dense pine trees.
-
Jinxiu Peak (Splendor Peak) in the south: Jinxiu Peak is 2,485 meters high (8,152.9 feet), and 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of Taihuai Town. This peak's beauty is in the colorful flowers that grow all over it, and emit scents and perfumes from early May until late August. They decorate the peak by making it look as if it is wearing a floral silk coat.
-
Yedou Peak (Peak of Flourishing Leaves) in the north: This peak, 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) north of Taihuai Town, is the highest point of Mt. Wutaishan, as well being the highest in Northern China, at 3,058 meters (10,032.8 feet). On the terrace of the peak, there is a natural pool that is over 300 square meters (358.8 square yards) From the terrace looking towards the north, Mt. Hengshan looms blanketed in endless greenery.
-
Cuiyan Peak (Peak of Green Rocks) in the middle: According to its name, one can guess the scenery of this peak. The rocks are green not because of their own color, but because of the moss on their surface. The huge rocks resemble moving dragons when seen in sunlight, from which the name "dragon-writhing rocks" has been derived.
Temples
-
Xiantong Temple: Xiantong Temple has the longest history and is the most prestigious. Occupying an area of 80,000 square meters (95,682 square yards), it was built initially in 68, during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), with the additions built by succeeding dynasties. Now it plays the most important role among the temples, therefore, the Buddhist Association of Mt. Wutaishan is situated there. The court-styled construction of it includes seven palaces, in one of which Wenshu (Manjusri) Bodhisattva's statue was engraved and worshiped. The copper bell in front of the gate is the biggest bell on the mountain, with a weight of 9,999.5 jin (22,045.9 pounds). Its toll can be heard around the entire mountain.
-
Tayuan Temple: The 75.3-meter-high (247-feet-high) Tayuan Temple is the symbol of Mt. Wutaishan, so it becomes a "must-see". Principally it possesses the white Tibetan-style dagoba also called Dabai Pagoda (Big White Pagoda). Since it stands in front of the other temples in Taihuai, it is even more eye-catching. Accompanying the graceful temple, there is also Wenshufa Pagoda where it is said that Manjusri Bodhisattva's hair is preserved, and the Dacangjing Pavilion (Collecting-Lections Pavilion) where volumes of lections were collected.
-
Manjusri Temple: Legend has it that Wenshu Bodhisattva dwelt in the temple, so it is also called "ZhenrongYuan" (real appearance) or "Bodhisattva Summit". It was built originally in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). In the time of Emperor Yongle of Ming Dynasty (1368 -1644), Lamaists began to be stationed in Mt. Wutaishan, and the great Lama resided there. From then on, it became the principal temple of Lamaism. Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) both went there and left ever-lasting epigraphs.
-
Shuxiang Temple: Shuxiang Temple is the southwest neighbor of Tayuan Temple. Built in Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), it covers 6,400 square meters (7,654.6 square yards), and encompasses over 50 palaces and halls. Among them Manjusri Pavilion is the largest one in the center of the Taihuai County, with Manjusri Bodhisattva's statue in it. A clear spring flows out of the temple named "Banruo" or "Prajna", meaning "adding wisdom", whose water was used in the courts.
-
Luohou Temple: To the east of the Xiantong Temple, Luohou Temple was set up as a Lamaist temple in the Tang Dynasty. One of its wonders is a wooden lotus-shaped flower. Machinery turns it and the wooden petals open and close. Inside are carved Buddhist figures on a square platform.
Climate
Mt.Wutaishan is located in Shaanxi province. The area enjoys the continental monsoon climate, the winter is extremely cold and dry, and spring and fall are cool but the temperature varies sharply between day and night. The average annual temperature is 5.5 C (41.9 F), and the hottest temperature is 37.7 C (99.86 F) while the lowest -29.1 C(-20.38 oF). During the summer it is a natural tourist resort because the average temperature is only 19-21 C (66.2~69.8 F).
Dining
As with many of the more famous mountains in China, Wutaishan has little in the way of really good dining. Food is normally either very expensive or not of good quality, despite the profusion of restaurants that you will find in the area. Food that could interest can be found however, and particular specialties of the area include the Blotted Cake (Babing) and Guokui Cake (Yuanping guokui), both of which are good for the energy that you will need to scale the mountain.
-
Blotted Cake (Babing): The Blotted Cake (Babing) is so named because of the numerous little depressions that cover the surface of it. The cake is made in a fairly ordinary style, first by mixing the flour with eggs, sugar and oil. The blotted effect on the surface is achieved in the final process, when the mixture is added to a pan that is covered in a layer of exiguous sand and then baked. The finished specialty is golden in colour and crispy in taste.
-
Guokui Cake (Yuanping guokui): The Guokui Cake (Yuanping guokui), like the Blotted Cake (Babing), is another famous regional cake specialty. This cake is even more simple than the blotted varieties, and comes in many different sizes, although they are almost always around one inch thick. This is favoured by the locals for mountain climbing.
Transportation
By plane
Taiyuan is the nearest airport, which operates flights to/from Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai.
By train
There is no train service to the mountain, because of the rugged terrain. Major train stations in the vicinity are Taiyuan and Datong; buses and taxis run from either city.
Sleep
- Huibin Building, Mingqing Street, Wutaishan. Price: 180.00--680.00 CNY (26.09--98.55 USD) Huibinlou Hotel is located at the Wutaishan Resort, renowned as a famous Buddhist site. Enveloped in quiet and scenic surroundings, the hotel is an ideal residence for all visitors.
Entertainment
Shopping
Although there is not a huge selection of souvenirs and local produce in the mountain area, there are a few shopping items that will be worth at least checking out. Of the more interesting durable products that you might think of taking home, both the Dai County Lacquerware and the Chengni Ink Stone are products of worth. The lacquerware is of great beauty, although most of the pieces may be a little too large to fit in your trunk. Other obvious durables include the many Buddhist souvenirs that can be found around town.
Unique to the area is a product that the Chinese travellers here cannot fail to take home, the Taimo Mushrooms. These little snacks, usually dried, are of an interesting flavour, although you will want to try them before relying on them to survive a long train journey. They are exceptionally cheap, although you may need to bargain for them.
The best place to look for most of these products is probably on Taihuai's main street, Yanglin jie, or from stalls scattered around the mountain.
-
Chengni Inkstone (Chengni yan): If you are an avid lover of Chinese calligraphy, the Chengni ink stone (Chengni yan), one of the four most important ink stones in China, is definitely an item not to be neglected. It differs from most of its brethren because of the way of making it. Instead of using a big chunk of hard rock, the stone is made from the soft soil from the bed of a local river, which is put in a mold and then baked. In many local shops you will see all kinds of these ink stones, each bearing a pattern, from animals and plants to famous local and national stories.
-
Dai County Lacquerware: The Dai County lacquerware (Daixian qiqi) is a deep rooted part of the Shanxi tradition, noted for its varied design and exquisite workmanship. Each piece is on familiar themes, although all unique, with such delights as ladies-in-waiting at the imperial court, depictions of the eight Taoist immortals and Chinese landscapes a commonly followed theme. These make great presents to take home, although you will want to shop around for price and sometimes bargain.
-
Taimo Mushrooms (Taimo):The Taimo mushroom (Taimo) is a regional specialty that can only be found on the peaks of Wutaishan Mountain. The mushroom is found on the mountain in two types, the fragrant and silver varieties, the former named after its distinctive smell and the latter, surprise, surprise, for the large silver skin that shines across its surface. Both types are edible and considered highly nourishing.
1
2
3
4
5
Yellow Mountains
Chengde Mountain Resort
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Mt. Emeishan
Mt. Taishan
Mt. Wuyishan
Mt. Qingchengshan
Echoing-Sand Mountain
Mt. Putuoshan
Mt. Wutaishan
Mt. Wudangshan
Mt. Tianzishan
Mt. Changbaishan
Mt. Cangshan
Mt. Huashan
Mt. Qianshan
Mt. Yuelushan
Mt. Hengshan
Flaming Mountain
Mt. Hengshan
Mt. Laoshan
Mt. Geleshan
Stone Forest
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area
Yalong Bay
Huanglong Scenic Area
Qutang Gorge
Wu Gorge
Xiling Gorge
Wolong Nature Reserve
Gulangyu Island
Reed Flute Cave
Jimei School Village
Dadonghai
Wuzhizhou Island
Shennongjia Nature Reserve
Shennong Stream
Lake Taihu
Dragon Palace Scenic Area
Suoxi Valley
Huangshi Village
Jinbian Stream
Feilaifeng Peak
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Eling Park
Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
Small Three Gorges
Crown Cave
Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden
Dongba Valley
Tianshan Grand Canyon
Wangjiang Park
Huaxi Scenic Area
Grape Valley
Badaguan Scenic Area
Tianya Haijiao
Xian Qi Cave
Merryland World
Sanya Bay
Dongshanling Ridge
Baishui Tableland
Dishuidong Cave
Port Chaotianmen
No.1 Bathing Beach
Fujiazhuang Beach
