Mount Jiuhua

Mount Jiuhua, also Jiuhuashan in Chinese, covers an area of 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) southwest of Qingyang County, Huangshan City, not far from the picturesque Huangshan Mountain. It boasts 99 peaks and 18 scenic spots in its area. With its marvelous landscape and pleasant climate, it is considered one of the best summer resorts in China. In addition to its popularity as a tourist destination, it is a holy site where Buddhists assemble-- it has been established as one of the four sacred Buddhist shrines, along with Mount Wutai in Shanxi, Mt. Emei in Sichuan, and Mount Putuo in Zhejiang.

According to historical records, Buddhism was first introduced to Mount Jiuhua in the year 401. In 719, a Korean monk named Jin Qiaojue arrived and practiced Buddhism here for 75 years. Upon his Nirvana in 794, Jin Qiaojue was respected as the Earth Buddha by the locals, hence it has become the place where religious rituals were held to worship the God of Earth.
Jiuhua Mountain, Anhui
Mount Jiuhua, Anhui
Main Hall of Huacheng Temple
Main Hall of Huacheng Temple
It has always been a place that attracts men of letters throughout the ages. The story goes that Libai (701-762), the famous poet of Tang Dynasty (618 -907), once came to visit Jiuhuashan. The verse slipped out when he was intoxicated with the scene of lotus blooms-like peaks of the Mount Jiuhua, 'From the azure skies above descends a jade-like flow, and nine fascinating lotuses rise out of the hills below'. Later, poet Liu Yuxi (772-784) in Tang Dynasty, litterateur Wang Anshi (1021-1086) in North Song Dynasty (960 - 1127) and many other scholars, politicians and monks also made the journey to Jiuhuashan, and thus it got its fame. Just as a Chinese saying goes 'A mountain is famous not for its height but for its holiness'.
Zhiyuan Temple
Zhiyuan Temple
Incarnation Hall
Incarnation Hall

Visitors to the temples on the Mount Jiuhua are always impressed with the exquisite architecture and grand structure. Now there are no more than 90 temples in existence in it, most of them restored in Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties. Among the most well known are the Incarnation Hall, Huacheng Temple, Zhiyuan Temple, Longevity Hall, Zhantanlin Temple, Ganlu Temple and Tiantai Zhending Temple.

Incarnation Hall
Incarnation Hall

Huacheng Temple is the oldest and holiest temple on Jiuhuashan. It is located in the center of Jiuhua Street. Though it first appears simple and solemn, the structure and decoration of the building are truly artistic. The engravings on lintels, brackets and roofs reinforce the brightness and liveliness of the building. The picture, 'Nine Dragons Playing with Pearls' on a panel in the Main Shrine Hall is a consummate piece of ancient Chinese art.

Precious sutras and other cultural relics in the temples are displayed in the Historical Relics Museum. The most valuable are the Buddhist canonical literature left from the Tang Dynasty, the Tripitaka left from the Ming Dynasty, and Emperor Kang Xi and Emperor Qian Long's handwritings left from the Qing Dynasty.

It is also worth mentioning the Corporeal Body Hall houses the skeleton of Monk Wu Xia that has been well preserved for more than 350 years. Wu Xia once wrote sutras with a mixture of gold powder and his own blood in a cave of the Mount Jiuhua during Ming Dynasty. After hard practice of sutras for a hundred year in it, Wu Xia passed away at the age of 126-- his body found in the cave three years after his death. Monks on Jiuhuashan believed Wu Xia was the reincarnation of Rinpoche. From then on, Buddhist believers have been keen to visit Jiuhuashan to pay homage to the monk.

Additionally, the Temple Fair on it, also named Hid Puja, is held every year regularly since 1983. With a history of over 1,000 years, it has been regarded as national immateriality cultural heritage. The 30th Temple Fair, from September 1st to 30th in 2012, attracted a large number of tourists and pilgrims home and abroad. During the temple fair period, the newly built Dayuan Cultural Garden was put into trial operation. Its remarkable buildings, the 99-meter tall bronze Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Statue, and 99-meter diameter Buddha's Light Pool, is another sightseeing and Buddha-worship sites on Jiuhuashan.

How to get to Mount Jiuhua

By Bus

1. Nanjing Bus Station has three buses a day to Jiuhuashan at 7:40, 14:00, and 16:00, which take about 3h; one bus fron Nanjing South Bus Station at 11:30 is also available.
2. Hefei Tourism Bus Station (east of Hefei Railway Station) and Hefei South Bus Station provide regular buses to this mountain. The journey takes about 3 hours.
3. Huangshan Bus Station has only one bus at 13:30.
4. Many buses are avaiable from Chizhou Bus Station to the mountain and it takes about 30mins.
 

By Train

Take train to Chizhou first. After get out of Chizhou Railway Station, you will see Chizhou Bus Station. There are buses to the mountain and it takes about 30mins.
 

By Air

Visitors can take a flight to Chizhou Jiuhuashan Airport and then take a taxi to the mountain area.

Entrance Fee

Jan. 16 - Nov. 14: CNY 160
Nov. 15 - Jan. 15: CNY 140

Free for children under 1.2m (3.9 ft).

Cable Car

Bai Sui Gong Cableway Jan. 16 - Nov. 14:
CNY 100 (round-trip); CNY 55 (single-trip).

Nov. 15 - Jan. 15:
CNY 80 (round-trip); CNY 45 (single-trip).
Tiantai Cableway Jan. 16 - Nov. 14:
CNY 160 (round-trip); CNY 85 (single-trip).

Nov. 15 - Jan. 15:
CNY 120 (round-trip); CNY 65 (single-trip).
Huatai Cableway Mar. - Nov.:
CNY 160 (round-trip); CNY 90 (single-trip).

Dec. - Feb.:
CNY 120 (round-trip); CNY 70 (single-trip).

Opening Hours

07:00 - 17:00

Recommended Time for a Visit

1-2 days

- Last updated on Oct. 24, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Mount Jiuhua
Asked by Dahliana from INDONESIA | Oct. 24, 2023 09:35Reply
Can we stay in Huangshan city and have a day tour to Jihua shan ?
What is the public transport available from Huangshan city to jihuashan ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Mia | Oct. 24, 2023 20:31
00Reply


I'm afraid the time is too tight because the distance is around 200 km and it takes about 3.5 hours for a single journey. The direct bus is available between Huangshan and Jiuhuashan.
Asked by Lu from ARGENTINA | Jan. 08, 2023 19:53Reply
One day visit
I am living in Hefei and I would like to go hike the mountain and come back to Hefei in one day. Is it possible?
Answers (1)
Answered by Leo | Jan. 09, 2023 01:36
00Reply


It is a little bit tight counting inthe time spending on the way there and back. If possible, arrange 2 days for this visit.
Asked by Li from MALAYSIA | Oct. 22, 2019 00:50Reply
How many hours is the hike to Jiuhua Mountain?
Answers (4)
Answered by Lila from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 22, 2019 23:09
00Reply


Generally speaking, it takes 3 to 4 hours.
Answered by Li from MALAYSIA | Oct. 23, 2019 07:26
00Reply


Thanks
Answered by Lu | Jan. 12, 2023 19:55
00Reply


Hello, does it takes 3 / 4 hours all on foot or is it necessary to take the cable up and down to make it in one day? Thanks
Answered by Bruce | Jan. 15, 2023 17:02
00Reply


It depends on you. If you feel energetic, you can hike all the way up and down. If not, you may hike up on foot and take a cable down or take a cable car for both ways.
Asked by Yap Hock Lai from SINGAPORE | Oct. 02, 2019 20:55Reply
Day tour package on 11th Oct for JiuHuaShan from Nanjing
two of us is flying into Nanjing on 10th Oct, intent to follow day tour to JiuHuaShan on 11th Oct,
kindly advise able to arrange for us and the cost of it.

Thank you
Answers (1)
Answered by Lucy from UNITED KINGDOM | Oct. 10, 2019 19:13
00Reply


You can take high speed train from Nanjing South Railway station to Chizhou Railway station with CNY78. After you get out of the station, there is direct bus to Jiuhuashan nearby. It costs CNY50/person.
Asked by Emily from AUSTRALIA | Jul. 14, 2019 23:57Reply
Does the bus from Chizhou Railway go all the way to Jiuhua Mountain Scenic?
We are hoping to drop our bags off at the accommodation (preferably close to the Mountain) before we head in!
Answers (2)
Answered by Randal from USA | Jul. 17, 2019 01:47
00Reply


Generally speaking, it will park outside the scenic area because you can enter it after you buy the ticket.
Answered by Joys from CHINA | Aug. 20, 2019 05:36
00Reply


Yes, Chizhou Railway Station has buses to MT.Jiuhua,There are many hotels down the mountain.Enjoy your holiday.
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