Jiuhua Mountain travel guide
九华山
Mount Jiuhua, together with Mount Emei, Mount Wutai and Mount Putuo, is known as one of China's Four Great Buddhist Mountains, and is the place of practice of Bodhisattva Dizang (Kshitigarbha) in Buddhism.…
6 places · In the guidebook: pages 1300–1309
Jiuhua Mountain, Anhui Province · AI illustration for China Trip
Quick itinerary
Jiuhua Mountain in 2 days
- Day 1
- Huatai Scenic Area (take the cable car up the mountain and walk the elevated plank path, with a distant view of Feilai Peak)→
- Tiantai Scenic Area (Lotus Peak, Guanyin Peak, etc.)→
- Minyuan Scenic Area (bamboo sea, Wenshu Cave)→
- Baisui Palace→
- Jiuhua Street (watch the night temple activities, stay overnight)
- Day 2
The feel of the place
- One of the Four Great Buddhist Mountains
- Mount Jiuhua, together with Mount Emei, Mount Wutai and Mount Putuo, is known as one of China's Four Great Buddhist Mountains, and is the place of practice of Bodhisattva Dizang (Kshitigarbha) in Buddhism. As soon as you enter Mount Jiuhua, you can feel its rich Buddhist atmosphere, most immediately from the temples found at nearly every step and the lively incense-offering. Apart from the incense and the devout pilgrims, however, the scenery here is no less impressive, and compared with Huangshan, each has its own distinct charm.
- "Free" Guides
- On Mount Jiuhua you will meet many "free" guides, and visitors who cannot tell them apart can easily be steered into spending money on food, lodging and shopping. Visitors should, first, be on guard against being cheated, and, second, not haggle over it, so that it does not spoil the mood of the trip.
Free Shuttle Bus with Entry Ticket
With a Mount Jiuhua entry ticket, you can ride the scenic area shuttle buses to each attraction free of charge. The ticket is valid for 3 days.
Buddhist Origins
Buddhism has a long history on Mount Jiuhua, arriving in the Jin dynasty and flourishing in the Tang dynasty. During the Kaiyuan era of the Tang, the eminent monk Kim Gyo-gak (Jin Qiaojue) from the Kingdom of Silla (present-day South Korea) crossed the sea to Mount Jiuhua to practise. He was regarded as a reincarnation of Bodhisattva Dizang, and after his death, Mount Jiuhua was designated as the place of practice of Bodhisattva Dizang in Buddhism.
tip: The Clouds, Mists and Winds of Mount Jiuhua
1. Spring clouds on Mount Jiuhua differ from those on Huangshan. Tiantai Platform is an excellent vantage point for the sea of clouds, and other spots include Baisui Palace, Shenguang Ridge and Little Tiantai. Be sure to see the fog as well: the peaks drift in and out of view, with the dreamlike beauty of Penglai, the mythical immortal isle.
2. Mount Jiuhua is also famous for its winds. May is the season when strong gusts are most likely. When the wind rolls through the valleys, listening to the rustling of the pines and watching the bamboo groves surge makes for a memorable experience.
Preparation and Information
Language
Mandarin is widely spoken here, so communication is no problem.
Climate and Best Travel Seasons
Mount Jiuhua can be visited year-round, but spring and autumn are its most beautiful seasons.
Mount Jiuhua's annual average temperature is 13.4°C. Sunshine hours are short and rainy, overcast weather is common. In winter, temperatures in most areas stay below 0°C, and the mountain remains frozen for long periods.
Things to see
1. Main route: from Tiantai, pass Luohan Dun to Wenshu Cave and Lower Minyuan, cross the Longxi River to Laohu Cave, climb Moikong Ridge and pass Turtle Stone to reach Jiuhua Street.
Ganlu Temple Scenic Area
There are three routes up Jiuhua Mountain: east, south and north. The Ganlu Temple Scenic Area lies on the northern route, which has the most beautiful scenery and the most historic sites on the mountain. Ganlu Temple, together with Qiyuan Temple, Baisui Palace and Dongya Temple, is known as the “Four Great Monasteries of Jiuhua.”
1 hour
Zhantan Lin Temple
In Buddhism, sandalwood is called “zhantan,” meaning “joy in association” or “giving pleasure.” The temple was first built during the Kangxi reign of the Qing dynasty and consists mainly of three great halls: the Hall of Great Vows, the Hall of Great Compassion, and the Hall of Avatamsaka. Its railings are distinctive, decorated with dragon motifs.
2 hours · Included in the Jiuhua Mountain scenic area ticket
Jiuhua Street Scenic Area
Jiuhua Street is regarded as a miniature of the “Lotus Buddhist Kingdom City” of Jiuhua Mountain. As a metaphor: surrounded by mountains on four sides, Jiuhua Mountain is like a big-bellied Buddha, and Jiuhua Street is the Buddha's navel. Qiyuan Temple, Huixiang Pavilion, the Bell Tower, Baisui Palace, Huacheng Temple, Zhantan Forest Temple, Shangchan Hall, the Roushen Relic Hall and Xiaotiantai are the main sights of Jiuhua Street, where the breadth and depth of Buddhism are all on display.
1–2 hours
Shuangxi Temple
Shuangxi Temple is home to “Nine Sons Spring Sound” (Jiuzi Quansheng), one of the Ten Ancient Scenes of Mount Jiuhua. It also features “Rock Dwelling and Stream Drawing” associated with Jin Qiaojue, the first generation of Ksitigarbha, and “Mummified Body Manifestation” of Monk Daxing, the third generation. Natural and cultural landscapes complement each other here, and the scenery is truly magnificent.
1 hour
Tiantai Scenic Area
Tiantai Peak is the highest peak on Mount Jiuhua, crowned by Wanfo Temple and Pengri Pavilion. Temples dot the route and the scenery is excellent, so it is revered as the foremost of Jiuhua's peaks. There is a saying here: “Without climbing Tiantai, you have not truly been to Jiuhua.” Everyone who visits Jiuhua wants to reach the summit, to fulfil the wish of reaching the very top and gazing across thousands of li.
Temples · Nature
Baisui Palace
The temple enshrines the mummified body of Ming-dynasty monk Wuxia, who lived to 126 before passing away, which is how the temple got its name, Baisui Palace (“Palace of a Hundred Years”). It is one of the must-visit temples on Mount Jiuhua.
2–3 hours
Getting there & around
Getting There
Mount Jiuhua currently has no direct flights or trains, but shuttle buses run to Jiuhua from surrounding areas, so access is fairly convenient.
By Air
Jiuhua Airport is a regional tourist airport, currently offering scheduled flights mainly to Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Guangzhou. At the airport you can purchase a "one-ticket pass" that includes Mount Jiuhua scenic area admission and transport within the scenic area.
By Train
To reach Jiuhua by train, the usual route is via Chizhou Railway Station (池州火车站). From the station, take the Chijiu Line (池九线) bus from the long-distance bus terminal. The final stop is Jiuhua, about 50 minutes away. Transfer there to scenic area buses.
Chizhou Railway Station is about 50 km from Jiuhua. A taxi to Jiuhua costs around ¥100 and takes about 1 hour.
By Road
Jiuhua Bus Station is located on Kecun Xinjie (柯村新街). Buses run to Tongling, Anqing, Wuhu, Nanjing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuhan, Huangshan, Chizhou, Qingyang and other destinations.
To Shanghai: departs 7:00; journey 6 hours; fare ¥140–150.
To Hefei: departures from 7:00 to 16:50, every 2 hours; journey 3 hours; fare ¥88.
To Tangkou (Huangshan Scenic Area): departs 9:30 and 13:10; journey 3 hours; fare ¥58.
Getting Around the Scenic Area
There are three ways to go up the mountain: hiking, porter-carried sedan chairs, or cable car.
Beware of Fake Temples and Fake Monks
Pilgrims arrive from every direction with deep devotion to this sacred Buddhist site, but along the way up, a few bogus temples have appeared. Burly "monks" flag down vehicles by the roadside and lead visitors into their temples, then demand money. Please stay alert, or hire a licensed guide.
Sedan Chairs
Porter-carried sedan chairs provide return transfers between Jiuhua Street and Minyuan, between Minyuan and the Baijingtai cable car, and along all sightseeing routes.
Scenery Along the North Route
1. Entering by the north route, you will pass the Wuxi Jiuhua Mountain Gate (五溪九华山门坊), one of the Ten Ancient Scenes of Jiuhua, known as "Five Creeks and Mountain Colours" (五溪山色). From here, head south up Mount Jiuhua to the main gate.
2. Key sights: Six Springs Well (六泉井), Erseng Hall (二圣殿), Liuyi Bridge (六一桥), Taoya Waterfall (桃崖瀑布), Ganlu Temple (甘露寺), Longchi Waterfall (龙池瀑布), the Mountain Gate (山门), and more.
Mount Jiuhua and Li Bai
The poet Li Bai visited Mount Jiuhua three times. On his second ascent he composed the line "Subtle essence divides into two breaths; the spirit mountain opens as Jiuhua" (妙有分二气，灵山开九华), from the famous linked verse "Renaming Mount Jiuzi as Mount Jiuhua" (《改九子山为九华山联句》). The mountain's name comes from this. On his third visit, he wrote "Gazing at Jiuhua, Presented to Wei Zhongkan of Qingyang" (《望九华赠青阳韦仲堪》).
Customer Service
By Air- Phone:
- 0566-4879222
Ticket Booking
By Air- Phone:
- 0566-4879666/4879777
To Hangzhou
By RoadDeparts 7:00; journey 6.5 hours; fare ¥125.
- Phone:
- 0566-2823178
Eat & drink
Vegetarian food is a must-try on Mount Jiuhua, although chicken, duck, fish and meat dishes are also available. Stone ear fungus and bamboo shoots from the mountain are prized tonic ingredients, and no restaurant menu is complete without "Jiuhua Three Ears" (wood ear, stone ear and silver ear fungus). Another plant worth mentioning is huangjing (Polygonatum): legend says Bodhisattva Dizang often ate it. It tastes sweet and resembles ginger in shape, but is larger.
Where to stay
Although Mount Jiuhua isn't as famous as Huangshan, finding a place to stay is no worry at all, as its facilities are far better than you might imagine. Jiuhua Street is the mountain's central thoroughfare, much like Guling Town on Mount Lu. The street is narrow, but banks, the public security bureau, schools, cinemas, hospitals and everything else you need are all here.
tip: All major temples have guest rooms for pilgrims and visitors, with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals available, so you can choose freely and comfortably.
Winter Closure for Maintenance
The West Sea Grand Canyon scenic area closes for maintenance every winter, from December to March. Exact reopening dates vary, so please follow the scenic area's official notices.
Don't Bring an Umbrella to Huangshan
Huangshan's weather changes constantly, alternating between sunshine and rain. The mountain is high and windy, so umbrellas are a bad idea; they could easily carry you away along with them. Bring a raincoat before you climb, or buy one at the foot of the mountain. If you wait until it rains on the summit, the price will surprise you greatly.
tip: Descend Huangshan in a "Z"
Pattern
The paths up Huangshan are steep and precipitous. When climbing, lean your body forward and don't go too fast. When descending, take it especially slowly. Zigzagging down in a "Z" pattern saves effort.
Where to Camp
Mountain lodgings are not very clean and are fairly expensive. During Huangshan's fire-danger season, camping is prohibited in many places.
Julong Hotel
Located on Mount Jiuhua, it is one of the first batch of Red Star hotels in Anhui Province.
- Address:
- 50 m northeast of the Jiuhua Mountain ticket checkpoint
- Phone:
- 0566-2571888
Dongya Guesthouse
Located in the heart of Jiuhua Street within the Mount Jiuhua Scenic Area, this is Mount Jiuhua's upscale hotel.
- Address:
- No. 8, Huacheng Road, Mount Jiuhua Scenic Area
- Phone:
- 0566-2831370
Shopping
Jiuhua ice ginger, cloud-mist tea ("Jiuhua Maofeng", "Dizang Quecha" and "Dongya Quecha" are the most famous), folding fans and huangjing are all excellent local specialties. Some, such as folding fans, were once imperial tributes. As a Buddhist pilgrimage site, Jiuhua also offers items you should not miss: scented sachets, Buddhist bowls, prayer beads, wooden fish and other religious keepsakes.
Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), pp. 1300–1309. Translated from the Chinese edition; names and prices follow the guidebook. · Plain text version