Mount Wutai

Overview

About

Mount Wutai, north-east of Wutai County in Shanxi, is the seat of the bodhisattva Manjushri and one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains. Centred on the town of Taihuai, it consists of five flat-topped peaks: the North Terrace (Yedou Peak), South Terrace (Jinxiu), East Terrace (Wanghai), West Terrace (Guayue) and Central Terrace (Cuiyan). The North Terrace, 3,061 m, is the “roof of north China”.

Wutai is a holy place of both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism. The five great monasteries around Taihuai are Xiantong, Tayuan, Shuxiang, Luohou and Pusading; the famous temples outside the town are Foguang and Nanchan.

Buddhism flourished here in the Northern Wei, when temple building reached its first peak with more than 200 temples; after a thousand years of change some 50 complete temples remain in and around the mountain.

The five summits are broad, flat and treeless, like earthen terraces, which gave Wutai (“Five Terraces”) its name.

It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2009, as a cultural site. It is in the first batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 1982.

Main sights

Xiantong Temple: formerly Dafu Lingjiu Temple, traditionally founded in AD 68, the largest and oldest temple at Wutai, with over 400 rooms; its bronze hall was cast in 1610.

Pusading: on Lingjiu Peak above Taihuai, also called Zhenrong Yuan or Da Wenshu Si, traditionally founded in the Northern Wei. Converted to Tibetan Buddhism under Shunzhi, it is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple at Wutai and lodged Qing emperors on pilgrimage; 108 steps lead up to it.

Foguang Temple: at Foguang Village, Doucun Town, Wutai County, founded in the Northern Wei. Its East Hall was built in 857 and was identified by Liang Sicheng, Lin Huiyin and colleagues in 1937; its Tang architecture, sculpture, murals and ink inscriptions are called the “four treasures”.

Travel tips

Getting there: the visitor centre and most temples are in Taihuai town. Long-distance buses run from Taiyuan and Datong, a drive of several hours either way; Xinzhou Wutaishan Airport is over 100 km from Taihuai.

Taihuai temples: Xiantong Temple, Tayuan Temple, Pusading, Shuxiang Temple and Luohou Temple are close together and can be visited on foot. The large white stupa of Tayuan Temple is the symbol of Wutaishan.

Dailuoding: on the hill east of Taihuai, reached by more than a thousand steps or by cable car.

The five terraces: the five summits are 2,000 to 3,000 m high and far apart, so you need a vehicle; visiting all five usually takes a full day. It is cold on top even in summer; bring a jacket.

Foguang Temple and Nanchan Temple: these two Tang-dynasty timber halls are in the south of Wutai County, a long way from Taihuai; allow half a day to a day.

Time: one or two days for the Taihuai temples; three or four days with the terraces or Foguang and Nanchan.

Season: May to October is best. Winter is cold, and roads to the summits may close for snow and ice.

Note: photography is not allowed in most temple halls; behave respectfully inside.

Stamps

On 26 July 1997 China Post issued 1997-11 “Mount Wutai”, six stamps: the temples of Taihuai, the main hall of Nanchan Temple, the east hall of Foguang Temple, the bronze hall of Xiantong Temple, Pusading and Zhenhai Temple.

Map

Photo credits: The temples of Taihuai and the white stupa of Tayuan Temple: G41rn8 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons)

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