Important: Wikitravel is exploring a license upgrade to CC by-sa 3.0, please give your consent or refusal here.

From Wikitravel

Mount Wutai (五台山 Wutai Shan) is a Sacred Buddhist mountain, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Shanxi Province in China.

[edit] Understand

Wutai Shan means Five Plateau Mountain, and the highest of these stands at 3,058 meters. As one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains in China, it is a popular pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, who regard it as the domain of the Bodhisattva Manjusri - an emanation of wisdom. In addition, with its vast assemblage of stunning scenery, historical and cultural relics, and classical architecture, Wutai Shan National Park is also a popular destination for tourists with an interest in China's rural cultural heritage. The town of Taihuai is nestled in the mountains at the center of the park and offers a wide selection of accommodation options.

[edit] Get in

Wutai Shan Train Station is about 50 km away. Travelling from here to Taihuai Village by bus will need an hour or so.

Taking a bus from Taiyuan to Taihuai Village will cost around 70 Yuan and takes 5 hours.

There are other direct bus services to Taihuai Village from other cities.

Compulsory entry ticket to Taihuai Village cost 168 Yuan and 50 Yuan for unlimited bus shuttle services within the village.

[edit] By plane

• Taiyuan is the nearest airport, which operates flights to/from Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai.

[edit] By train

• Some trains go to the nearby town of Wutai Shan however the train stations that service this route are small and obtaining tickets may be difficult especially if the traveller does not have a working grasp of conversational Chinese. Major train stations in the vicinity are Taiyuan and Datong; buses and taxis run from either city. Access to Wutai Shan is easiest from Xinzhou, the closest city of intermediate size.

[edit] Get around

Bus services from Taihuai Village to the Mountain Peaks starts at 0630hrs and tickets cost around 70 Yuan for each individual destination. Do visit all 5 peaks.(350 Yuan)

At least 1 day is needed for viewing the peaks and another 1.5 day needed for visiting temples within Taihuai Village.

Last bus leaves from Taihuai Village for Taiyuan at 1530hrs.

[edit][add listing] See

• Excellent examples of Tang and Song Dynasty temples.

Tayuan Temple - most prominent temple in Taiyuan

Xiantong Temple - has over 400 rooms

Cifu Temple - secluded and very spiritual

Nanshan Temple - picturesque

Shuxiang Temple - 36 meter high Buddha

• Free Shanxi opera shows at Wanfo Temple during summer months. Ask around for times.

[edit][add listing] Do

• A pilgrimage to the five peaks

Wanghai Peak (Peak Overlooking the Sea) to the east

Guayue Peak (Hanging Moon Peak) to the west

Jinxiu Peak (Splendor Peak) to the south, with Nantai Temple at its summit

Yedou Peak (Peak of Flourishing Leaves) to the north

Cuiyan Peak (Peak of Green Rocks) to the middle

- Jixiang Si located on the way down from West Peak

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

Food cost at Taihuai Village is higher as compared to normal living standards in China. Normal food like Soya drink can cost 5 Yuan, Plain Fried Rice with egg and noodles cost 15 Yuan each.

2 simple dishes serve with rice cost 30 Yuan can be found at Chaoyang Lodge.(Cheapest)

[edit][add listing] Drink

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Lodging is available at Taihuai Village located at valley of Wutai Shan. Hotels can be rather costly around 300 Yuan upwards.

You will need to spent 3 nights at Taihuai Village.

[edit] Budget

There are temples offering guestrooms at 20 Yuan per person upwards.( Tayuan Si, Xiantong Si, Kuangren Si)

[edit] Midrange

Most traveller's lodges range from 50 Yuan to 100 Yuan for a room for 2 persons.

• Xianhe Binguan, 25 Taiping Jie, ☎ (0350)6542531.  edit

[edit] Splurge

Beware of monks residing at shops offering to tell your fortune. Beware of monks residing at a small temple below Zhenhai Si。

[edit] Get out