Five facing the top--People say Shanxi

Author: Yuan Jinping, Yang Chune
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Most of Mount Wutai is located within Wutai County of Xinzhou City. Mount Wutai refers to: North Peak Wudoufeng, the highest peak in North China; East Peak Wanghaifeng, where climbers can witness the sunrise; South Peak Jinxiufeng, resembling brocade; West Peak Guanyuefeng, covered in snow all year round; and Central Peak Cuiyanfeng, standing like a majestic lion. Mount Wutai has numerous temples, with an average summer temperature of 17~19 degrees Celsius, making it an ideal summer retreat. Along the main highway from Taiyuan to Mount Wutai, one can see some devout believers in peculiar attire and solemn expressions, carrying extremely simple backpacks, taking a step and bowing once (for their pious "equal-body bows"). Their purpose is to witness with their own eyes the solemn and mysterious statues and to hear with their own ears the soul-cleansing celestial music and Buddhist chants.