Mount Wutai (Wutaishan) – One of the World 5 Famous Buddhist Holy Lands

Mount Wutai – World Heritage Site & Sacred Buddhist Mountain

Mount Wutai or Wutaishan is one of the five Buddhist holy lands in the world and the four famous Buddhist Mountains in China. For super charming view and rich culture of Buddhism, Mount Wutai was listed as the World Heritage Site in 2009 and becomes the National AAAAA Tourist Attraction. With an altitude of 3061.1 m, Mount Wutai is called the “ridge of Shanxi”.

Mount Wutai is located in the northeast of Wutai County in Shanxi Province. Since the mountain has five terraces or said peaks, so it got the name of Wutai Shan, literally meaning Five Terraces Mountain. Visitors can admire this world only Bodhimanda of both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism to feel the rich harmoniously mixed religious atmosphere. Moreover, the amazingly gorgeous scenery in Mount Wutai will completely show tourists the real fairyland on earth.

History of Mount Wutai

According to the history, in 68 BC, the first temple was built, which becomes the Xiantong Temple of present. During the following dynasties till Tang, Buddhist religious atmosphere continuously became. And especially in Tang dynasty when ancient China is the center of economy and culture in ancient Asia for the bright prosperity, there were more than 360 temples completed and constant groups of Buddhist followers from India, Japan, Sri Lanka, etc. came to Mount Wutai to learn Buddhism and exchange ideas. However, experiencing the decrease of Buddhism from 854 AD and the revitalization later, there are 68 temples left and near 30,000 Buddha statues in various types in Mount Wutai.

Mount Wutai as the only one Bodhimanda of both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism in the world, it has tens of historic valuable religious sites to admire.

Great White Tower

The Great White Tower (大白塔) first built in 1301 AD is the symbol of Mount Wutai for its fair look and the good location of surrounded by multiple temples. Situated in Tayuan Temple (塔院寺) that is at the south side of Xiantong Temple, the Great White Tower is a sacred place for many monks and ordinary people to bow in worship, because there is the carving footprint of Sakyamuni who said before dying that people who see and worship the footprint would remove all the ill fortunes. Visiting this holy tower of 56.4 m high in Nepal style, you can not only admire many Buddha statues but also hear the pleasing sound of the 252 copper bells in the breeze to feel the serenity of this Buddhist holy land.

Xiantong Temple

Xiantong Temple is located at the north side of Taihuai Town. First completed in 68 AD, Xiantong Temple (显通寺) is the first building in Mount Wutai and the present buildings in it mainly belong to Ming and Qing dynasty, which consists of seven distinct halls. The Copper Hall inside from 1606 AD was built with five tons of copper, and it looks so shiny and magnificent. Furthermore, you can appreciate more than ten thousand glittering Buddha statues.

Besides, the Buddhist Text Hall (Cangjingdian, 藏经殿) is now the Cultural Relics Exhibition Hall, inside which the Avatamsaka Sutra (Huayanjing,华严经) of 600 thousand characters is the most excellent relic among all. This masterpiece is written on a cloth of seven inches long and looks like a tower in a distance, which shows the super sincerity and devotion of the composer.

Bodhisattva Monastery

Bodhisattva Monastery (菩萨顶) on Lingjiu Peak (灵鹫峰) is the largest Tibetan Monastery in Mount Wutai. Visiting this holy monastery, you will find it very glorious and in full character of Chinese royal traits, because it served as the temporary palace of the past emperors before. Also, you can see all the buildings are designed with three colored glazed tiles. From a legend, a son of Emperor Kangxi became a monk in Bodhisattva Monastery and the emperor specially permitted the design with glazed tiles.

Besides, there are a series of worth visiting temples and monasteries. Nanchan Temple of over 1200 years is the oldest temple of timberwork in Mount Wutai.

As the main part of Mount Wutai Tourist Attraction, the five main peaks separately in the four directions and the center stand for the five wisdoms of Manjushri. Go and discover the beauty of each one.

Sea View Peak (Wanghaifeng) – East Terrace

East Terrace or Wanghaifeng (望海峰) of 2795 m above the sea looks like a standing elephant in a distance. And this peak is the best place for viewing the sunrise and sea clouds. When sunny, the eastern sky appears like a sea, and at the end of the cloud sea, the flaming red rising sun spurts out and lights the sky into orange. That is really vigorous and beautiful!

Splendid Peak (Jinxiufeng) – South Terrace

South Terrace like a horse has an altitude of 2485 m and famous for its more than 100 species of rare flowers and plants. In spring, all the floras bloom fully and paint the peak into a splendid garden painting with red, yellow, blue, white, purple, etc. So, it is also called Jinxiufeng (锦绣峰). And during the midsummer, shepherds gather hear with their healthy domestic animals and the natural singing of these innocent people resounds in the valley, which provides you a great audio feast.

Moon Hanging Peak (Guayuefeng) – West Terrace

West Terrace or Guayuefeng (挂月峰) is like a dancing peacock spreading its tail and is measured 2773 m above the sea. In a serene night, the bright moon seems hanging on the summit, and with the chanting mountain spring, you will surely be immersed into this picturesque heaven. Besides, the west terrace is the favorite place for climbers for the various appealing sightseeing in different moments. You would regard every climbing to the west terrace is a hard-won enjoyment, like the slowly rising sun in the dawn, mysterious light cloud and mist after raining, rosy clouds filling in the sky at dusk, etc.

Bucket Handle Peak (Yedoufeng) – North Terrace

North Terrace of 3061 m above the sea is the highest peak in Mount Wutai and north China, so it is called the “Ridge of North China”. This peak is so high like towering to the sky, so it got the name of Yedoufeng (叶斗峰) meaning bucket handle peak. Usually, it snows in September and defrosts in April; as a result, there is long-term existing ice, some even being called “ten thousand year ice”, at the back park of the peak. Also, you can enjoy the charming scenery of snow in winter like a magic land and feel the real quiet moment of this Buddhist land.

Jade Rock Peak (Cuiyanfeng) – Central Terrace

Central Terrace like a lion is 2894 m above the sea. Because it shows like a giant fine jade with the verdant moss growing after raining in midsummer, it is also called Cuiyanfeng (Jade Rock Peak, 翠岩峰). The Central Terrace is a good viewing deck of many places, and moreover, while it’s sunny with hot sun above, the lower part of the town is raining. People seeming in the heaven would joke and say that “it’s raining on earth!”

>> 3 Days Mount Wutai Trekking Tour

>> 3 Days Mount Wutai Buddhism Tour from Taiyuan

>> 5 Days Datong & Wutaishan Discovery Tour

Mount Wutai is situated at the northeast of Taiyuan Shanxi, and it needs about 3 hours to drive there from Taiyuan downtown.

Independent Travel:

By fast train

Several fast trains are available from Taiyuan Railway Station to Wutaishan Railway Station every day, needing about 3.5 hours. Then, you can take a taxi to the tourist attraction within 1.5 hours.

By coach

There are 4 to 6 coaches running from Taiyuan East Station to Mount Wutai Tourist Attraction every day, which costs 5.5 to 6.5 hours.

A classic Mount Wutai tour usually starts from Taihuai Town, the tourist center of the entire scenic area, then takes a day to visit the most important temples of Mount Wutai, such as Xiantong Temple, Pusa Ding Temple, Tayuan Temple, etc. which are conveniently located around Taihuai Town. If you are Buddhists, you can take the Xiao Chaotai (Small Kora) to Dailuo Ding Temple if you are short on time, or go to the high-altitude Five Terraces to worship Manjusri Bodhisattvas on the five peaks of Mount Wutai – East Terrace, North Terrace, Central Terrace, West Terrace and South Terrace, which usually costs two full days. If you prefer a hiking tour, you can find some amazing high plateau hiking trails among the Five Terraces. Below are most recommended Mount Wutai tours:

☛ 3 Days Mount Wutai Trekking Tour
☛ 3 Days Mount Wutai Buddhism Tour from Taiyuan

Mount Wutai is usually visited with other famous destinations in Shanxi Province, such as Pingyao Ancient City and Wang’s Family Compound in Pingyao, Yungang Grottoes and Hanging Temple in Datong, Jinci Temple in Taiyuan and Hukou Waterfall in southern Shanxi. Below are the most recommended Shanxi tours:

☛ 5 Days Datong & Wutaishan Discovery Tour
☛ 6 Days Essence of Shanxi Tour

If your time allows, it’s strongly recommended to visit Mount Wutai with other sacred Buddhist sites in China, such as Mount Emei, Mount Putuo, Shaolin Temple, etc. If you want to explore more Chinese culture, you can also extend your tour to Xian, Beijing, Luoyang, Chengdu, etc. Below are some recommended China tours for you:

☛ 8 Days Ancient Beijing & Shanxi Culture Tour