Mountain Wutai
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Mountain Wutai, also called Wutai Mountain or Qingliang Mountain, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Wutai County, Xinzhou Region of Shanxi province. It is a Buddhist sacred site and as famous as Mt. Emei in Sichuan, Mt. Putuo in Zhenjiang and Mt.Jiuhua in Anhui.
The Chinese name Wutai literally, "the five terrace mountain"; and the Mount Wutai is surrounded by a cluster of flat-topped peaks (North, South, East, West and Central). The North Peak, also called Beitai Ding or Yedou Feng, is the highest peak at 3,061 meters. The beauty of rising and falling ridges of mountains, exotic rocks, crisscrossed gullies, crystalline waters and towering green forests gives the mountain its reputation as a colorful and notable scenic resort.
The major temples or monasteries in Wutaishan are Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, Manjusri Temple, Shuxiang Temple and Luohou Temple.
Xiantong Temple is the oldest temple and most prestigious, which was built in 68. The Buddhist Association of Mountain Wutai is situated inside the temple. Wenshu (Manjusri) Bodhisattva's statue was engraved and worshiped in the palace of the temple, and the copper bell in front of temple gate is the biggest one on the mountain, and could be heard around in the whole area.
Tayuan Temple is a must-see temple in Mountain Wutain, features a Big White Pagoda.
The Manjusri Temple was originally built in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534); it is now the principle temple of Lamaism.
Shuxiang Temple is close to Tayuan Temple, home to over 50 palaces and halls.
Luohou Temple is to the east of Xiantong Temple, which was set up as a Lamaist temple in Tang Dynasty. The wooden lotus-shaped flower is a must see in the temple, its wooden petals could be open and close by machinery turns, and the Buddhist figures on the platform are shown or sealed with actions.
Besides the above temples, there are other exquisitely constructed temples that would worth a visit, like Jinge Temple (golden temple), Nanchan Temple, Dailuoding, Shifangtang, Wangfo Temple and so on. Numerous art works like sculptures, murals, calligraphy as well as architecture, Pagodas are well preserved.
The best travel time to visit Mountain Wutai is after every April and before November, since the heavy snow will stop the way to the mountain area. Even in hot summer days in July & August, the temperature is around 10 /ºC around.
