Mount Jiuhua Scenic Area is located in Qingyang County, Chizhou City, Anhui Province. It is a National Natural and Cultural Heritage Site, a National 5A Tourist Attraction, a National Geopark and Forest Park, a National Civilized Scenic Tourism Area, one of the Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains in China, and a world?renowned place where Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva manifested his teachings. It is a mountain?type national key scenic spot featuring Buddhist culture and natural and cultural landscapes. The scenic area covers a planned area of 120 km2 and a protected area of 174 km2, comprising 11 major scenic zones. There are 99 peaks in total, with nine being the most magnificent – Tiantai, Shiwang, Lianhua, Tianzhu, etc. The highest peak, Shiwang Peak, rises to 1,344.4 metres above sea level. Currently, Mount Jiuhua has 99 temples, nearly a thousand monks and nuns, and more than 10,000 Buddhist statues.
History and Culture
Mount Jiuhua has a long history of Buddhism. In the fifth year of the Long’an era of the Eastern Jin dynasty (401 CE), the Indian monk Beidu (Cup?du) came to Jiuhua to preach and built a thatched hermitage, marking the beginning of Buddhism there. At the end of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang dynasty (741 CE), the monk Jin Qiaojue from the ancient Korean kingdom of Silla settled on Mount Jiuhua. In the tenth year of the Zhenyuan era (794 CE), he passed away peacefully in a sitting posture. Later disciples believed he was a reincarnation of the Bodhisattva and dedicated Mount Jiuhua as the sacred site of Ksitigarbha’s manifestation. Buddhism on Jiuhua flourished in the Tang, developed through the Song and Yuan, and reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties. By the late Qing, the number of temples had surged from more than twenty in the late Tang to over 150. The veneration of mummified monks (known as “flesh?body Bodhisattvas” or “whole?body relics”) is a distinctive phenomenon in Chinese Buddhism. After Tang Jin Dizang (Kim Qiaojue) passed away, his body became the first true relic; to this day, six such relics are enshrined.
Mount Jiuhua is not only rich in Buddhist culture but also abundant in landscape and literary culture. In the winter of the thirteenth year of the Tianbao era of the Tang (754 CE), the poet Li Bai, at the invitation of friends, gathered at the foot of Jiuzi Mountain. Gazing at the spectacular peaks, they composed poems together, and Li Bai wrote the lines “Wondrous being divides the two vital forces; the sacred mountain opens with nine brilliant blossoms.” This poem officially gave Mount Jiuhua its name. Thereafter, numerous literati and celebrities came, adding colour and legend to Jiuhua’s scenery with their aesthetic eyes and artistic brushes.
Major Attractions
Rushen Baodian (Hall of the Flesh Body)
The core temple of Mount Jiuhua, enshrining the flesh body of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Inside the hall, five wooden pagodas in the east, south, west, north, and centre hold hidden mysteries. It is said that wishes made here are especially efficacious. After burning incense and worshipping, remember to walk clockwise around the main hall three times.
Huacheng Temple
The founding temple of Mount Jiuhua, with a history of over a thousand years. It is like a museum of Buddhist culture, housing three treasures that are considered the mountain’s protectors. In front of the temple is the crescent?shaped Yueya Pool, a releasing pond; touching the koi fish there is believed to bring good fortune.
Qiyuan Temple
One of the largest temples on Mount Jiuhua and the foremost of the “Four Great Buddhist Monasteries” here. You can make prayers here: light three incense sticks, hold them in your right hand while covering it with your left, bow at a 45?degree angle, first silently state your wish towards the main hall, then bow three times in each of the four directions clockwise.
Baisui Palace (Centenary Palace)
Enshrining the mummified body of the Ming?dynasty monk Wuxia. Prayers for health and safety are said to be exceptionally effective. Along the way, you can also see the natural “Sleeping Buddha” rock formation. If you are not physically fit, you may take the cable car up and down.
Tiantai Temple
At an altitude of 1,306 metres, this is the highest temple on Mount Jiuhua. After taking the cable car, you still need to climb over 800 steps to reach it. Wishes made here are considered very efficacious, especially amid the misty clouds, which create a truly atmospheric experience.
Suggested Itinerary：
If time allows, we recommend two days for an in?depth visit.
Day 1: Rushen Baodian – Huacheng Temple – Qiyuan Temple – Baisui Palace (take the cable car up). Head straight to Rushen Baodian in the morning to avoid crowds. Note that the cable car for Baisui Palace stops at 4:00 pm.
Day 2: Tiantai Scenic Area (Tiantai Peak Ancient Baijing Terrace) – Phoenix Pine – Minyuan Bamboo Sea. Set off at 7:00 am; the round trip takes about 4 hours. Bring enough water and snacks.
Transportation：
High?speed rail: Arrive at Jiuhua Mountain Station, where free shuttle buses run directly to the scenic area.
Self?driving: On regular days, vehicles with fewer than seven seats can drive directly to Jiuhua Street. On weekends and public holidays, you must park in the ground parking lot and purchase a 50?yuan round?trip scenic shuttle bus ticket to go up the mountain.
Travel Tips：
Consider hiring a professional guide to learn more about the temple stories and Buddhist culture.
For accommodation, Jiuhua Street is the most convenient choice.
Carry some small change to make voluntary donations.
If you plan to climb Tiantai Peak, wear comfortable shoes and bring enough water and snacks.
Important Notes：
Dress modestly and appropriately; avoid revealing clothing out of respect for Buddhism.
Keep a quiet and solemn atmosphere; refrain from discussing mundane worldly matters or using disrespectful language.
Do not step on the threshold, turn your back to Buddha statues, point at them, or take photos without permission.
Follow proper etiquette when taking incense and performing worship inside the temples.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all day, but individual attractions may have slightly different opening times.
Ticket Price：
160 RMB per person.