Mount Wutai
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Map of Wutai Mountain![]() |
Mount Wutai Facts
Area: 2,837 square kilometers (1,095.4 square miles)
Average Altitude: 1,000 meters (over 3,281 feet)
The most holy land of Chinese Buddhism, Mount Wutai is rated on both the list of the first group of national scenic spots designated by the State Council, and the list of the Top 10 scenic spots in Shanxi Province. It is as famous as Mt. Emei in Sichuan Province, Mount Putuo in Zhejiang Province, and Mount Jiuhua in Anhui Province, all of which are renowned as the four sacred Buddhist Mountains. Its five main peaks, positioned east, south, west, north, and in the middle, embrace one another with broad and plain terraces rather than forests on their tops. That is why it bears the name "Wutai Shan" (Mountain of Five Terraces). The summit of the northern peak which is famed as being the "Roof of Northern China", reaches 3061.1 meters (10,043 feet). Besides the religious aspect, the beauty of rising and falling ridges of mountains, exotic rocks, crisscrossed gullies, crystalline waters and towering green forests also gives the mountain its reputation as a colorful and notable scenic resort.
The beautiful scenery in Mount Wutai is a masterpiece of exquisite acts of nature, predominantly visible over the five main peaks: Wanghai Peak in the east, Guayue Peak in the west, Jinxiu Peak in the south, Yedou Peak in the north, and the central Cuiyan Peak.
Wanghai Peak (Peak Overlooking the Sea) in the East
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Great White Pagoda in Tayuan Temple, Mount Wutai |
Guayue Peak (Hanging Moon Peak) in the West
Jinxiu Peak (Splendor Peak) in the South
Yedou Peak (Peak of Flourishing Leaves) in the North
Cuiyan Peak (Peak of Green Rocks) in the middle
Wutai Mountain Temple
Xiantong Temple
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Xiantong Temple |
Tayuan Temple
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Tayuan Temple |
Manjusri Temple
Shuxiang Temple
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Shuxiang Temple |
Luohou Temple
For tourists who want to visit all Manjusri Bodhisattva's statues in the five temples but cannot for time constraints or other reasons, Dailuo Peak (Dark Green Snail Peak) is a wonderful place to visit, because Wufang Manjusri Palace (Palace of Manjusri Bodhisattvas from five directions) houses statues resembling the five Manjusri Bodhisattvas of each terrace. It is located to the east of the temple group in the center of Taihuai Town. 1,080 steps lead to the top of the snail-shaped peak and a cable car is also available for convenience.
Besides these temples, there are other exquisitely constructed ones, such as Jinge Temple (golden temple), Nanchan Temple, Dailuoding, Shifangtang, Wangfo Temple, and so on.
Other Resources
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Shancai Cave |
Over 600 species of plants can be found, of which more than 150 species of grass can be used as rare herbs. Special local produce, Taimo, (mushrooms grown on the tops of peaks of Mount Wutai) is of quite high nutritional value and with a delicate taste.
Since many temples are interspersed in Mount Wutai, numerous art works were cared for and have been preserved as relics-sculptures, murals, calligraphy, as well as architecture. Pagodas built in the style of those in ancient India added new types to traditional ones. Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple, built in the Tang Dynasty, are representatives of the ancient wooden style of construction, and have the longest history amongst the temples in the mountain.
How to get to Mount Wutai
How to get to Wutai Shan by bus
2. Take a bus from Taiyuan East Bus Station to Wutaishan Bus Station, and then take a taxi to the mountain area. The bus is available from 6:30 to 9:10 with an internal of about 30 minutes.
How to get to Wutai Shan by train
How to get to Wutai Shan by air
Entrance Fee | Apr. - Oct.: CNY 135 Nov. - Mar.: CNY 118 Free for children under 1.2m (3.9 feet) |
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Opening Hours | The mountain area opens all day, but scenic spots opens roughly from 6:30 to 20:00. |
Cable Car Ticket | Dailuo Peak: CNY 50 (one-way); CNY 80 (round-trip) |
Fomu Cave: CNY 50 (one-way); CNY 85 (round-trip) | |
Cable Car Service Hours | 7:00 - 17:00 (only for reference) |
- Last updated on Apr. 25, 2023 -
Questions & Answers on Mount Wutai
Asked by Terry from NEW ZEALAND | Apr. 22, 2023 20:52
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Travel from anhui to Wu tai shan
I intend to visit Wu tai Shan in September. Is there a high speed train from anhui tongling to Wu tai Shan
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Answered by Rome | Apr. 25, 2023 01:56
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It is a pity that there is not any bullet train between the two places. However, you can take a bullet train from Tongling or Tongling North Station to Hefei South Station, where you can continue to take a high speed train to Taiyuan South. A train can help you to reach Wutaishan from Taiyuan South Train Station.
Asked by Rev. Vimutti from SRI LANKA | Feb. 26, 2020 12:53
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Wutaishan Five Peaks closure period
I plan to go to Wutaishan from October 10th to 15th, and one day to visit the five peak. Will the peaks be closed, abd is vehicle still avaliable.?
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Answered by Carrie from AUSTRALIA | Feb. 27, 2020 17:46
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As I know, it will open during that period of time.
Asked by Ansi from CHINA | Nov. 25, 2019 03:50
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Planning a 1-day winter visit
Hi, I'm going to be in Wutaishan on Friday for the whole day, arriving and returning to the Wutaishan train station.
1. I was wondering what time the earliest bus to Taihua is in the morning, and what time the latest bus is in the evening.
2. Will the tourist bus be running frequently or should I hire a car to tour the area? Prices seem to be similar...
3. I'm going to have a few hours to kill in the evening before my train. Any recommendation on what to do?
1. I was wondering what time the earliest bus to Taihua is in the morning, and what time the latest bus is in the evening.
2. Will the tourist bus be running frequently or should I hire a car to tour the area? Prices seem to be similar...
3. I'm going to have a few hours to kill in the evening before my train. Any recommendation on what to do?
Answers (1)
Answered by Sam from SINGAPORE | Nov. 28, 2019 17:03
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1. Do you mean the bus from Taiyuan to Taihua? Sorry, I didn't find it. But the direct bus from East Taiyuan Coach Station to Wutaishan Coach Station runs from 7:00 to 15:30.
2. There are so many tourist buses around train station. It is the most common way to get to scenic area. But I didn't find the official timetable. It takes 1 hour with CNY20.
3. Maybe you can travel around the nearby streets and taste local food.
2. There are so many tourist buses around train station. It is the most common way to get to scenic area. But I didn't find the official timetable. It takes 1 hour with CNY20.
3. Maybe you can travel around the nearby streets and taste local food.
Asked by Trivikram Pattanayak from SINGAPORE | Sep. 21, 2019 19:13
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Is there any direct bus from Beijing to Wutaishan throughout the year?
Answers (1)
Answered by Keller from UNITED KINGDOM | Sep. 23, 2019 20:23
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You can take long-distance bus from Liuliqiao Coach station to Wutaishan. It departs at 9:30, 11:00, 15:30 with CNY145.
Asked by Wayne from UNITED KINGDOM | Aug. 18, 2018 18:37
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Hiking to Yedou Peak (North Peak) of Mount Wutai
Hello! I am currently staying in Taihuai village and my main agenda during my stay here in Wutaishan is to reach the highest peak, Yedou Peak, on foot. Can anyone tell me where I should begin my hike? And how long the hike may take from bottom to top? I really want to make the whole distance by foot, no shortcuts by bus or car. Thank you!
Answers (1)
Answered by Anna from POLAND | Aug. 22, 2018 20:36
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You can start off from Taihuai Town and it takes about 5 to 7 hours.