Mount Wutai is located in Xinzhou City, Shanxi Province, between 38°55'–39°66' N and 113°29'–113°39' E. The scenic area covers a planned area of 607 square kilometers, with an administrative jurisdiction area of 436 square kilometers.
According to Records of Famous Mountains, "Mount Wutai has five peaks standing tall, rising above the clouds. The summits are devoid of trees, resembling platforms made of piled earth, hence the name Wutai (Five Platforms)." Mount Wutai is a Buddhist site where both Blue Temples (Chinese Buddhist monasteries) and Yellow Temples (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries) coexist. It has 86 religious activity sites, many of which are imperially commissioned temples that numerous emperors visited to pay homage. Famous ones include: Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, Pusading Temple, Nanshan Temple, Dailuoding Temple, Jinge Temple, Wanfo Pavilion, and Bishan Temple.
Mount Wutai is one of the Four Great Sacred Buddhist Mountains of China. In 2004, it was rated as one of China's Top Ten Famous Mountains. In June 2009, Mount Wutai was inscribed on the World Cultural Heritage List. In 2007, it was rated as a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction.