Jiuhua Mountain

Jiuhua Mountain is located in Qingyang County. Chizhou City, Anhui Province. It is near to the Yangtze River in the northwest and close to picturesque Yellow Mountain in the southeast. It coves a scenic area of 120 square kilometers. Being a famous tourist summer resort, it is a national 5A-class tourist area. Jiuhua Mountain is famous for its fantastic peaks and perilous overhanging cliffs. There are myriad of gurgling streams, springs, waterfalls, exotic-looking boulders, grotesque rocks, ancient caves, exuberant bamboos and many other great things to see. There are a total of 99 peaks in the place, such as Tiantai Peak, Shiwang Peak, Lianhua Peak, Tianzhu Peak, etc. The highest peak in Jiuhua Mountain is Shiwang Peak, which is 1342 meters tall. 

Religious Culture in Jiuhua Mountain

Except for it popularity as a famous tourist site, Jiuhua Mountain is also a sacred destination that contains rich Buddhist culture. Together with Mt. Wutai in Shanxi, Mt. Emei in Sichuan, and Mt. Putuo in Zhejiang, it has been listed as one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism. It is the dojo of the Earth Store Bodhisattva. This place has been popular for its Buddhist culture since Tang Dynasty. By now, there are still 99 existing temples, more than Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as more than 10,000 ancient Buddha statues. There are also various handed-down cultural relics, which has a number of more than 2,000 pieces. There are also many eminent monks in this area, and there are 15 naturally-formed flesh-body bodhisattvas, of which 5 flesh-body bodhisattvas are available for visiting.


The local residents near Jiuhua Mountain go to the closest temple to burn incense, to pray for peace and happiness during the Spring Festival. In order to express respect for the temple’s monks, the local residents will eat only vegetarian food for three days during the Spring Festival, from lunar January 1 to lunar January 2.

 

Main attractions in Jiuhua Mountain

【Zhenshen Hall 真身殿】

Zhenshan Hall is the base of Buddhist culture in Jiuhua Mountain. It is a palace architecture facing the southwest. The hall is 15 meters high. Visitors have to walk up the 81 stairs to reach the gate of the hall. This hall is a sacred site for people, for there are various Buddhist statues with differet sites.

Highlights:

• Inside, you’ll find the preserved flesh-body of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva (Earth Store Bodhisattva), which is a rare sight in Buddhist temples across China.
• The hall is richly decorated with ancient inscriptions, gold-plated Buddha statues, and offering candles that illuminate the space in a warm, sacred glow.

Travel Tips:

• The early morning is the best time to visit, as the hall is shrouded in mist, creating an ethereal atmosphere for photography.
• Dress modestly if you plan to step inside to pray or observe rituals.

【Jiuhua Street 九华街】
Jiuhua Street has an elevation of more than 600 meters, being the center of Jiuhua Mountain, for most of the temples are gathered in this area. In addition to temples, there are also schools, hotels, shops and farmhouses, visitors can stay here and use it as a starting point to explore the attractions nearby. Huacheng Temple here is the oldest temple on the Jiuhua Mountain, which was build in the Jin Dynasty. It is also main temple here. There are also other watch points, such as, Yuantong Temple, Jiuhua Rive, Lotus Peak, Shiwang Peak, etc.

Highlights:

• Huacheng Temple, the oldest temple on Jiuhua Mountain, was built during the Jin Dynasty and remains the most significant temple on the site.
• Wander along the street to experience the aroma of vegetarian dishes wafting from local restaurants and hear the soft chanting of monks in nearby temples.

【Huatai Scenic Area 花台景区】

This is regarded as the most spectacular natural area of Jiuhua Mountain, famous for its dramatic cliffs, lush forests, and panoramic views.

Highlights:

• The Heavenly Ladder (天梯) is a steep stone path leading visitors to awe-inspiring viewpoints.
• Flower Terrace Peak (花台顶) provides sweeping vistas of the surrounding mountains, often shrouded in clouds like a “sea of mist.”

【Baisui Palace 百岁宫】

Baisui Palace, meaning “Palace of Longevity,” is another sacred site where visitors can see the incorrupt flesh-body of Monk Wuxia, who is believed to have achieved enlightenment here.

Highlights:

• Apart from the flesh-body relic, the palace is known for its peaceful courtyards and centuries-old trees.
• The ancient bronze bell here is believed to bring good fortune to those who ring it.

【Tiantai Scenic Area 天台景区】

Tiantai Scenic Area is famous for Tiantai Peak (天台顶), the second-highest peak in Jiuhua Mountain. It is renowned as one of the best spots to witness sunrise and the mystical “sea of clouds” phenomenon.

Highlights:

• Pilgrims often climb overnight to reach the peak before dawn, making it a deeply spiritual experience.
• From the summit, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of endless mountain ranges bathed in golden light.

Recommended Jiuhua Mountain Travel Routes

Classic Two-Day Itinerary (For First-Time Visitors)    

Day 1:

• Morning: Arrive at Jiuhua Mountain and explore Jiuhua Street. Visit Huacheng Temple and enjoy lunch at a vegetarian restaurant.
• Afternoon: Hike to Zhenshen Hall and Baisui Palace, learning about the Buddhist relics and local spiritual traditions.
• Evening: Stroll around Jiuhua Street, enjoy the serene temple lights, and rest at a guesthouse.

Day 2:

• Early Morning: Start your hike to Tiantai Peak (or take the cableway partway) to catch the sunrise over the cloud sea.
• Late Morning: Explore Huatai Scenic Area, then descend and have lunch before departure.

Relaxed One-Day Itinerary (For Time-Limited Visitors)

• Morning: Take a cable car to Zhenshen Hall and visit Baisui Palace.
• Lunch: Enjoy a vegetarian meal on Jiuhua Street.
• Afternoon: Explore Huacheng Temple and relax with tea at a local tea house.
• Evening: Depart Jiuhua Mountain.

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Climate in Jiuhua Mountain

Jiuhua Moutain has a humid subtropical monsoon climate, but also has a small alpine climate. The annual average temperature is 13.4 ℃ and the annual average rainfall is 2437.5 mm. There are many rainy days in this area, especially in Spring. The average temperature in winter in most parts of Jiuhua Mountain is about 0 ℃, with long freezing time. 
 

Tickets & Fees

From Juary 16, 2025, to November 14, 2025, anJiuhua Mountain operates under peak season pricing.

• Entrance Ticket: ¥160 per person
• Huatai Cableway: ¥160 per person (round trip)
• Tiantai Cableway: ¥160 per person (round trip)
• Baisui Palace Cable Car: ¥100 per person (round trip)

Travel Tips

1. Jiuhua Mountain is home to wild monkey groups. Visitors are advised not to feed, provoke, or approach the monkeys. Avoid wearing bright colors, especially red, which may attract their attention.
2. Elderly visitors, minors, those with significant disabilities, and individuals with limited mobility should always travel with a guardian.
3. Visitors suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, mental disorders, dementia, osteoporosis, altitude sickness, or any other medical conditions that make mountain travel unsuitable should exercise caution. It is recommended to carry essential emergency medicines and only visit areas that align with your physical condition.
    

How to Get There

Mount Jiuhua is located in the border southeast of Chizhou city in Anhui Province. The transportation is convenient.

【By plane】
Tourists can take a flight to reach Hefei or Huangshan Airport first, and then transfer to a bus to Mount Jiuhua.
【By train】
After arriving Chizhou Railway Station by train, one can take a bus to arrive at the Mount Jiuhua.
There are also direct long-distance buses in Hefei, Tongling or Chizhou  to leave for Mount Jiuhua.
【By boat】
In addition, you can also take a boat to Chizhou, Tongling, Wuhu port, and then turnto  direct land vehicle to reach there.