- China Destination Guide

Follow us:

China travel and tour destination Wutaishan

China Destination Guide - Wutaishan 五台山

Wutaishan is the most northern of the 4 sacred Buddhist mountains and the abode of the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. The highest peak is 3,058m and it can be cold up there in the summer months. Wutaishan was the first of the four sacred mountains to be identified and is often referred to as "first among the four great mountains" by the Chinese making it a very popular place to visit for local tourists. In 2008 the shrine complex was hoping to gain UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

What there is to see at Wutaishan:

There are upwards of 30 temples across the whole area with 15 of them in the town of Taihuai which sits nestled between the five peaks.
The oldest existing wooden buildings in China are here having survived since the Tang Dynasty (618–907). This includes the main hall of Nanshan Monastery and the East Hall of Fuguang Monastery, built in 782 and 857, respectively.
Other temples worth a stop are Xiantong, Tayuan and Pusa Ding temples.
Hiking beyond the temples into the mountains for some contemplative solitude.

Best time to visit Wutaishan

April and May as well as September and October are the best months. Summers aren't bad but it can rain. It gets very cold in the winter months although, weather permitting, it can still be visited.

Best reason to visit Wutaishan

The mixture of temples and pilgrims along with the opportunity to hike into the mountains for a more nature orientated experience makes Wutaishan stand out as an "off the beaten track" destination.

Our last word on Wutaishan

If you are interested in visiting one of China's sacred mountains especially in spring or autumn this is the one to consider.