Mount Jiuhua

Lore & Background

Mount Jiuhua was originally called Mount Lingyang during the Han dynasty and later Mount Jiuzi during the Liang and Chen dynasties. The Tang dynasty poet Li Bai is said to have written lines that gave the mountain its current name: 'Magic is divided to two branches, sacred mountain generates nine glories.' The mountain has 99 peaks, with Shiwang Peak the highest at 1342 meters above sea level.

In 719 AD, Kim Qiaoque, a prince from Silla (today's Gyeongju city in South Korea) who became a bhikkhu, arrived at Mount Jiuhua and cultivated himself for 75 years, dying at age 99. His corporeal body remained intact as a sacred relic. Because of his resemblance to Dizang Bodhisattva, the monastic community believed him to be an incarnation, making the mountain the bodhimaṇḍa of Dizang.

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the mountain hosted as many as 360 temples and 4,000 to 5,000 monks and nuns. It features a 109.9-meter-tall statue of Dizang and numerous temples including Ganlu Temple, Tiantai Temple, and Huacheng Temple. The area was certified as a national geopark, then a regional geopark, and was admitted as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2019.

Reader's Guide

Mount Jiuhua holds significant importance as one of the four great Buddhist mountains in China, alongside Wutai, Emei, and Putuo. Its primary religious significance stems from its association with Dizang Bodhisattva, rooted in the story of the Silla prince Kim Qiaoque, whose preserved corporeal body is venerated as a sacred relic. This has made the mountain a major pilgrimage destination, especially in southeastern China, and it enjoys a high reputation in Southeast Asia, South Korea, and Japan since its opening in 1979.

The mountain is also a natural scenic spot, noted for old pines, green bamboo forests, strange rocks, waterfalls, streams, and caves. It was among the first batch of 5A level scenic spots in China and one of the first batch of natural and cultural heritage sites. Its recognition as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2019 underscores its geological value. The site is part of the 'two mountains and one lake' tourism strategy in Anhui Province, which includes Jiuhua Mountain, Taiping Lake, and Huangshan. With 99 peaks and numerous temples, Mount Jiuhua remains a center of Buddhist culture and natural beauty.

Did You Know?

• Mount Jiuhua was originally called Mount Lingyang during the Han dynasty and Mount Jiuzi during the Liang and Chen dynasties.
• The mountain is named after a line by Tang dynasty poet Li Bai: 'Magic is divided to two branches, sacred mountain generates nine glories.'
• Kim Qiaoque, a Silla prince, cultivated on the mountain for 75 years and died at age 99; his intact corporeal body is considered a sacred relic.
• The mountain has a 109.9-meter-tall statue of Dizang Bodhisattva and was admitted as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2019.