Strange Rocks, Sea of Clouds, Mountains, and Islands: Cultivating Mind and Body at Taimu Mountain
Standing tall on the coast of the East China Sea, Taimu Mountain faces the sea on three sides and is backed by mountains on one side, earning it the reputation of 'Grand View of Mountains and Sea' and 'Fairy Capital on the Sea'. Climbing high and looking far into the distance, you can take in the breathtaking views of strange rocks, seas of clouds, mountains, and islands, with the vast scenery of sea and sky unfolding before your eyes.
Nine-Carp Lake is one of the major attractions of Taimu Mountain. The lake reflects the peculiar peaks and rocks that resemble nine carps leaping toward the sky, creating a picturesque scene. Located to the right of Xiangshan Temple, Nine-Carp Lake lies below a deep canyon. Small and exquisite, the calm lake acts like a mirror reflecting the Nine-Carp Skyward Peak. This landscape of lake and mountains, like a painting and a poem, is another highlight of Taimu Mountain. Walking gently through Taimu Mountain, you may accidentally catch this breathtaking view and stop in your tracks, afraid to disturb the tranquil scene.
A recommended tour route for Taimu Mountain is as follows: Taimu Mountain Scenic Area Square (view Couple Peak, Eighteen Arhats Facing the Mountain) → Guoxing Temple (Tang dynasty temple site) → Sagong Ridge → Yingxian Terrace (area with weirdly shaped rocks) → Lanxi Stream → One-Line Sky (experience Taimu fitness exercises) → One Tile (Taimu Ascension Stone rock group) → Hongxue Cave (taste Taimu Mountain tea) → Tongtian Cave (narrow crevice cave, overhanging rocks) → Nantianmen (view Little Monk Worshipping the Moon, Guanyin Sitting on Lotus) → Qixing Cave (crevice cave, seven stars overhead) → Ziyan Ridge (en route view Nine Carps Skyward, Two Buddhas Preaching, Heartbreak Stone, etc.; if foggy, detour to Yufeng Bridge to view Nine Carps in mist) → Baiyun Temple (Tang dynasty ancient temple) → Wulong Ridge (precipitous peak) → Longtan Lake (if foggy, detour to Mist Viewing Ridge) → Scenic Area Square.
Additionally, if time permits, you can add some smaller scenic spots. (1) After visiting Yingxian Terrace, turn into Hulu Cave, then from Jiangjun Cave to Longxu Ridge (view Tianzhu Peak), then proceed to One-Line Sky; this adds about 1 hour. (2) After visiting One Tile, go to the Five Hundred Arhats Hall (the only white jade statue group of 500 arhats in China), Xiangshan Temple (see the reflection of Nine-Carp Peak in Nine-Carp Lake), then from Nantianmen Cave to Nantianmen; adds about 1 hour. (3) After reaching Baiyun Temple, you can choose to visit Moni Palace (the earliest surviving Manichaean site in China), Xinyue Peak (the highest peak), and Longzhu Ridge; each adds about half an hour.
Everything here is so natural and harmonious. Because it lies deep in Taimu Mountain, fewer tourists set foot here. Yet it silently stands, warming every passerby with its broad and generous embrace. No matter how time changes, its nobility and charm will forever accompany Empress Dowager of Taimu.
