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Jiuhua Mountain is one of four famous Buddhist Mountains in China, which is the first batch of key national scenic spots. It lies in the southeast of Chizhou city, Anhui province. At the northwest is opposite Tianzhu Mountain separated by Yangtze River and at the southeast is opposite Huangshan Mountain separated by Taiping Lake. They are the northern main entrance and scenic spots of Golden tourist area, whose total area occupies 120 square kilometers and the scope of protection is 174 square kilometers. Now Jiuhua Mountain is a state-level tourism zone and national civilized tourist area. It is known as the international Buddhist temple.
Jiuhua Mountain was originally known as Jiuzi Mountain. The main structure of Jiuhua Mountain is made of granite. There are over 70 peaks, 30 of which are above one thousand meters. The highest mountain is Shiwang Peak, which is 1,342 meters above sea level. Tourists here can see waterfalls, streams, exotic-looking boulders, ancient caves, old pines and exuberant bamboo. Jiuhua Mountain is often well-known as “The No One Mountain of Southeast” and “The No One Mountain of Jiangnan”.
If you want to visit Jiuhua Mountain, you’d better first visit Jiuhua Street, whose elevation is over 600 meters. It’s the center of Jiuhua Mountain and most of temples are here. Jiuhua Street is called “Lotus Buddhist Country”. In fact, this place is a mountain town. In addition to the temples, there are shops, schools, hotels and farmhouses. Tourists can find accommodation here and as a starting point to climb up the Huangshan Mountain.
At the Jiuhua Street, Huacheng Temple is the most glorious ancient temple and the main temple of Jiuhua Mountain. Not far away from Jiuhua Street, there is a palace on the cliff named “Hundred-Year-Old Palace”. It’s said that in Ming Dynasty, a 26-year-old monk came to Jiuhua Mountain to promote himself for 100 years. Three years after he died, other monks on the mountain thought of his mortal body as living Buddha. Emperor Chongzhen, Ming Dynasty, knew that and then titled him "Yingshen Buddha”. From that on, the incense is exuberant. Tourists can see this holy Buddha in the temple, wearing a red cassock and sitting on the top of the lotus throne.
Heavenly Terrace Peak is the best place to watch the scenery of Jiuhua Mountain and is also the main peak with an elevation of over 1,300 meters. If you don’t climb up the Heavenly Terrace Peak, you can’t say you have toured Jiuhua Mountain. Walking from Jiuhua Street to Heavenly Terrace Peak, tourists can see many scenic spots. When you arrive at the top of the Heavenly Terrace, beautiful scenery will refresh you, and eliminate your fatigue.
Viewing the sunrise on the Heavenly Terrace Peak, it’s said that the magnificent scenery is in no way inferior to the Riguan Peak of Tai Mountain. Therefore, "Sunrise at the Heavenly Terrace” is considered as one of the ten major sights of Jiuhua. In addition, other major sights of Jiuhua include: The mountain scenery by the Five Streams, The moon mirrored in the Shutan Pool, The waterfall at Taoyan, the snow mantle over the Flat Terrace, The serene form of the East Cliff, Evening Bell Tolls at Huacheng, The Singing Stream at Jiuzi, The sea of Clouds around the Lotus Peak and Celestial Presence at the Heavenly Pillar.
Editor: Li Jing
Photos from cnanhui.org
Words by travelchinatour.com
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