Buddhist Pilgrimage to Jiuhua Mountain

📍 Kuala Lumpur · 👁 4289 reads · ❤️ 6 likes

Jiuhua Mountain, also known as Lingyang Mountain and Jiuzi Mountain, is one of the four great Buddhist mountains in China. Legend says it is the place where Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva manifested his teachings. Buddhism regards Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva as the symbol of 'great filial piety' and 'great vows'.

It is less than 450 kilometers from Shanghai to Jiuhua Mountain, but the transportation feels a bit inconvenient. By high-speed rail, you have to get off at Chizhou, then transfer to a bus to the mountain foot, and then change to a scenic area shuttle. The flight schedules are also not great. So I drove there with my elderly father. Online sources said it takes 5 and a half hours. Because I took two breaks along the way, it took me a full 7 hours to arrive.

Because of the pandemic, we had to make an online reservation to buy tickets. Fortunately, the B&B owner informed us in advance and kindly provided ticket purchase links and such. We drove up the mountain smoothly, and the owner even reserved a parking spot for us and led us all the way to the hotel.

This B&B called Banchu is near Huacheng Temple on Jiuhua Mountain and is a really nice place. Let me clarify that I have no intention of advertising; it's just that the design and service of this B&B impressed me a lot.

In front of the B&B is a quiet, fresh ancient stone path. On an autumn afternoon, the trees, sunlight, and blue sky create dappled shadows. You will surely be deeply attracted by the mood here. Time and space always produce one after another unforgettable picture.

Facing the entrance is not a traditional lobby, but a guiding space. The owner took the meaning of 'the highest goodness is like water' from Laozi. In front of a master-crafted Ruyi Guanyin statue, a shallow pool is built with black marble, with two exquisite stones, and a few wisps of mist rising... It quietly calms our hearts.

Further inside is the check-in area. The owner said: 'Encounter Zen between half-exits, steal a day of leisure from the floating life.' So the B&B is named Banchu (half-exit), perhaps meaning that while people strive in the bustling world, they leave a corner of purity for their hearts.

You can have tea or play chess here. Of course, you can also chat with friends.

The hotel is hidden deep in Jiuhua Old Street at an altitude of over 600 meters, adjacent to Huacheng Temple and Zhantan Forest. Because of the deep alley at the entrance, it is well isolated from the noise of the scenic spots, giving a sense of seclusion.

The guest rooms are arranged simply and naturally, with a touch of Zen.

Not only the design, but also the owner's service is very thoughtful.

From the welcome fruit to the evening dessert, the owner put a lot of thought into it. It really feels like home.

Breakfast is set-style, with four options to choose from.

Jiuhua Street is a gathering place for pilgrims, located in a basin at the foot of Jiuhua Mountain. Surrounded by mountains and famous temples, it is a pearl in the heart of Jiuhua.

Since the Ming and Qing dynasties, with the flourishing of Huacheng Temple, Jiuhua Street began to prosper. Especially the square in front of Huacheng Temple is bustling with crowds.

Attractions such as Huacheng Temple, the Release Pond, the uncorrupted body of Wuxia, the uncorrupted body of Ciming, Qiyuan Temple, Zhantan Forest, Baisui Palace, Dongya Chan Temple, Huixiang Pavilion, and the Body Hall are all very conveniently located.

Looking around, surrounded by peaks and famous temples.

Jiuhua Mountain, together with Mount Wutai, Mount Putuo, and Mount Emei, is known as one of the four great Buddhist mountains in China, so there are many famous temples here. Baisui Palace, along with Qiyuan Temple, Dongya Chan Temple, and Ganlu Temple, are called the 'Four Great Monasteries' of Jiuhua. So the next day, our first stop was Baisui Palace.

Looking from the foot of the mountain, the Baisui Palace at the top is magnificent.

Because my father is old, we chose to take the cable car up. After exiting the cable car station, there is a platform. This is the spot to photograph the Reclining Buddha of Jiuhua Mountain. People take pictures of this masterpiece of nature here.

From right to left, you can clearly see the forehead, eyes, nose bridge, lips, and chin in the photo.

Travelogue Directory:

1. A Beautiful B&B

2. Jiuhua Street

3. Famous Temples of Jiuhua

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