Live Your Best Lives
When I get old, maybe I can find a place like this, smell the freshest air every day, enjoy the first ray of sunshine in a city, make a scarecrow as a companion, live in seclusion in the mountains, follow in the footsteps of Xu Xiake, and walk in the poetic and picturesque Tiantai Mountain.
This article records my journey following in Xu Xiake's footsteps and walking in the poetic and picturesque Mount Tiantai. It was a perfect trip that only took 3 days.
3 minutes and 37 seconds, let you appreciate the beauty of Tiantai Mountain
Slow shutter time-lapse photography + aerial photography, remember to turn on the audio
1. The weather in Tiantai Mountain in late summer is very hot, so you must be prepared for sun protection when going out. Sun-proof clothing, umbrellas, and sunscreen are all necessary.
2. The scenic areas in Tiantai Mountain usually close earlier, so you should plan your visit accordingly. For example, Tiantai Guoqing Temple closes at 4:30 PM, Jigong's Former Residence closes at 5 PM, and the bus from the visitor center to Qiongtai Fairy Valley stops running at 4 PM.
3. No entrance fee is required for Akagi Mountain after 5 pm, but most temples are closed.
4. There are two routes to visit Qiongtai Fairy Valley: one is to take a car to the top of the mountain and then walk down to the valley, and the other is to go from the entrance to the top of the mountain. We recommend taking the first route, which is to walk down from the top of the mountain, as it will save you a lot of energy.
5. Shiliang Scenic Area and Huading National Forest Park are quite far apart. You can visit Shiliang first and then take a bus to Huading National Forest Park. You can stay at the top of the mountain at night.
Tiantai Mountain is located in Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province. The nearest airports are Taizhou Luqiao Airport and Ningbo International Airport. The nearest high-speed train station is Linhai Station.
1. Airplane
Taizhou Luqiao Airport (100 kilometers from Tiantai) is about an hour's drive away; Ningbo Lishe International Airport (150 kilometers from Tiantai) is one and a half hours' drive away.
2. High-speed trains
Linhai Station (52 kilometers from Tiantai). The tourist center is in the county seat, and a taxi is about 140 yuan; a Didi carpool is about 66 yuan. You can also take a taxi from the train station to the bus station for 16 yuan to Tiantai County, and a taxi to the bus station for 10 yuan.
3. Self-driving
Hangzhou: Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway (Guzhu Exit) - Shangsan Expressway - Tiantai Exit (2 hours' drive)
Shanghai: Shanghai-Hangzhou Expressway - Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway (Guzhu Exit) - Shangsan Expressway - Tiantai Exit (3.5 hours)
Wuxi: Sujiahang Expressway - Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway (Guzhu) - Shangsanxian Expressway - Tiantai Exit (4.5 hours)
Nanjing: Ninghang Expressway - Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway (Guzhu) - Shangsan Expressway - Tiantai Exit (4.5 hours)
Wenzhou direction: Yongtaiwen Expressway ("Sanmen" Exit) - Shangsanxian Expressway - Tiantai Exit (1.5 hours)
From Ningbo: Yongtaiwen Expressway ("Sanmen" Exit) - Shangsanxian Expressway - Tiantai Exit (1.5 hours)
From Jinhua: Yiwu - Dongyang - Shengzhou - Xinchang - Tiantai (provincial road) (2.5 hours)
Buying tickets at the scenic spot will be more expensive, and you will have to queue up. You can buy tickets online in advance, which will be much cheaper. Below is a list of tickets for popular scenic spots in Tiantai Mountain.
Former Residence of Jigong
Adult Ticket: Market Price: ¥30 Online Booking: ¥27
Qiongtai Fairy Valley
Adult Ticket: Market Price: ¥65 Online Booking: ¥55
Shiliang Scenic Area
Adult Ticket: Market Price: ¥60 Online Booking: ¥50
Huading National Forest Park
Adult Ticket: Market Price: ¥50 Online Booking: ¥40
Adult ticket for Longchuan Gorge: Market price: ¥60 Online booking: ¥55
In Tiantai County, accommodation is very convenient and not expensive at all. You can stay in a nice hotel for more than 100 yuan. There are relatively few choices on the top of the mountain of Huading National Forest Park. There is only one Tiantai Huading Villa. The hotel is a bit old and some of the lime on the wall has fallen off. It is good to have a place to stay on the mountain.
If you're in the county town, you can try Tiantai Mountain snacks. Recommendations include: dumpling rolls, Tiantai flatbread, five-flavor porridge, and Hu La Tai.
Tiantai Mountain snacks are often eaten by locals. The price is not expensive, four dishes and two clear soups cost about 100 yuan.
There are no restaurants on top of Huading Mountain. You can bring some dry food with you or eat snacks made by the locals. The locals transport their own goods up. A serving of potatoes costs 5 yuan, tofu 5 yuan, fried noodles 15 yuan, and dumpling rolls 10 yuan. The prices are not expensive.
He wore a tattered hat, a broken fan, worn shoes, and stained patched clothes. He spent his life helping the poor and needy and loved to travel. His story was widely circulated among the people, and he was known as a "living Buddha Jigong." The former residence of Jigong is located in the county seat. It was restored on the stone wall of Yongning Village, Jigong's birthplace.
Ji Gong, a prominent monk of the Southern Song Dynasty, was a native of Yongning Village in Taishan. He first became a monk at Lingyin Temple in Hangzhou and later resided at Jingci Temple. Unconstrained by the precepts, he indulged in wine and meat, and behaved in a seemingly insane manner. He was a highly educated and virtuous monk.
The Former Residence of Jigong provides a true "home" for the wandering Jigong. It presents a painting full of the atmosphere of the Southern Song Dynasty, embodying the local architectural style of eastern Zhejiang and the layout of the official residence.
The area comprises three main sections: the double archway at the entrance to Yongning Village, the Guanxia Pavilion, the ancestral home of the Jigong Li family, and the Longxi Garden. Tall buildings, temples, pavilions, and terraces are vibrantly colored. The ancients excelled in construction. Admire the scenery by day, and at night, wonder if you'll be transported back to that era. Through all that has happened here, and through the surging tides of history, these buildings serve as enduring memories left behind by the ancient waves.
Aerial photography creates a garden scene that is both lofty and profound. Pavilions stand in clusters, a small lake surrounds the pavilion, tree branches sway, and unusual rocks are jagged. Turning inside, you'll suddenly find a bright future, or a winding path leads to a secluded place.
Along the small corridor, you can see fish, one by one, in groups. The green plants hanging down in the clear water cast clear reflections. There is a pavilion standing in the lake with green tiles and flying eaves.
【Address】: No. 449, Chicheng Road, Tiantai, Zhejiang
【Tickets】: Adult ticket: Market price: ¥30 Online booking: ¥27
[Transportation]: It is within walking distance of the county town.
Chicheng Mountain, also known as Burning Mountain, is 2 kilometers from Tiantai County and Guoqing Temple. No entrance fee is required if you arrive in the evening. Climbing Chicheng Mountain is not an easy task, requiring a long climb of stairs.
Chicheng Mountain, the only Danxia mountain in the Tiantai Mountains, boasts a reddish-brown hue. Just over 300 meters high, it's a popular destination for locals seeking hiking and exercise. Its solitary peak stands out from the surrounding mountains, making it a landmark of Taizhou and Tiantai.
The highest point on the mountaintop is the Liangfei Pagoda, towering atop Chicheng Mountain. Its seven tiers, like a sharp sword piercing the heavens, loom large, mingling with the clouds. From the foot of the Liangfei Pagoda, one can take in the scenery for dozens of miles. To the east, Guoqing Temple lies within reach, with the Sui Dynasty Pagoda towering into the clouds. To the south, Tiantai City lies at one's feet, its ancient and new cities surging forth. To the west, the celestial Tongbai Mountains loom, and to the north, the vast expanse of Tiantai Mountain, with its layers of lush greenery, looms large and majestic.
Late in the evening, purple clouds, purple city, dreamy purple, dreamy city. Unknown beauty, only I know it.
【Address】: No. 67 Feixia Road, Tiantai County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province
[Transportation]: Route 5: West Station Chicheng Mountain; you can also take a taxi from the county seat, it is not far.
You can take the shuttle bus to Qiongtai Fairy Valley from the visitor center to reach the entrance of the Qiongtai Fairy Valley scenic area. The bus slowly goes up the mountain and arrives at the lower entrance square of the scenic area. When you get off the bus, you will be greeted by steep cliffs and strange peaks piercing the sky. The four large characters "Qiongtai Fairy Valley" are inscribed on the cliff in a dragon-like and phoenix-like manner, which is very eye-catching.
There are generally two routes to visit Qiongtai Fairy Valley. One is to take a car to the top of the mountain and then walk to the valley, and the other is to visit from the entrance to the top of the mountain.
I recommend taking the first route, which is walking down from the top of the mountain. This will save you a lot of energy. Since the next bus to the top of the mountain is still an hour away, I decided to walk up from the bottom. In fact, it was quite tiring.
Qiongtai Fairy Valley is a typical granite geological landscape. Lingxi River is the scenic spot's main attraction. As you follow the stream north, you'll find yourself faced with towering cliffs on either side, with numerous peaks and unusually shaped rocks, each becoming increasingly bizarre.
Walk slowly along the path beside the stream and you will arrive at the Eight Immortals Lake. At the end of the lake, there is a platform in the shape of Kong Ming's "Eight Formations Diagram". In the middle is a "Tai Chi Yin and Yang Diagram" made of black and white pebbles. There are eight standing stones around it facing the eight peaks in the distance, which means that the Eight Immortals gather at the top of the eight peaks of Qiongtai.
Mountains are majestic because of water, and water is beautiful because of mountains; mountains have form, while water is invisible; mountains have a beginning, while water is endless. Mountains are still, while water flows endlessly; water is eternally blue, while mountains are vibrantly colorful. The interdependence of mountains and water creates the beauty of nature. And humans are the joyful spirits of nature.
Climbing the steep steps, you'll see a peak rising from the ground beside the pond, standing out from the sky. This is Qiongtai Peak. There's a stone on the peak that looks like a chair. Legend has it that Li Tieguai would sit there and admire the bright moon every Mid-Autumn Festival, hence the name "Xianrenzuo."
【Address】: Foot of Tongbai Ridge, Tiantai
We went to Shiliang Scenic Area and stayed in Huading National Forest Park at night. The latest bus from Shiliang Scenic Area to Huading is at 4 o'clock, so we must grasp the time well.
Shiliang is a little far away, and it takes about an hour to get there by car from the tourist center. The Shiliang Scenic Area is located in Shiqiao Mountain, 20 kilometers north of Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province. When you arrive at the entrance of the scenic area, walk down a gravel road and you will see a stream.
The biggest feature of the Shiliang Scenic Area is actually "green". From the outside of the scenic area, it is a piece of green, with waterfalls and streams occasionally. It is very comfortable and beautiful.
Although it is not a particularly famous scenic spot, it makes people feel like they are escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and entering the charm of ancient times. Moreover, this is a place mentioned in Xu Xiake's travel notes, so it is worth our time to explore the traces of the ancients.
There's a stream in the mountains, neither deep nor shallow, formed by a mountain spring. In its narrow spots, it gurgles, allowing you to wade across with just a few stones. In its wider spots, it's like a deep pool, crystal clear and shimmering. (PS: This photo was taken with an ND1000 filter, 30-second exposure.)
The most stunning sight in the scenic area is the Shiliang Waterfall. Walking to the edge of the pool, you can take a closer look at the waterfall. The natural stone beam spans the col between two mountains, nearly two meters wide and ten meters long. The water flows down the top of the waterfall like a white silk thread, then hits the rocks at the cliff mouth, turning into dense drops of water.
The rushing waterfall polishes the rocks it passes through into an extremely smooth surface with an excellent texture.
The vegetation on either side swayed in the mountain breeze, whipped by the waterfall's immense force. Water gushed from a deep pool, forming a winding mountain stream. As it flowed downstream, the stream weaved among the sand and rocks, as graceful as a bird in the air. The gurgling water, crystal clear and transparent, brought a refreshing coolness.
It flowed through my heart, a refreshing coolness washing over me, relieving the heat from my body. The calamus by the stream was lush and vibrant. The cicadas chirped softly in the woods, breaking the quiet of the valley. Beetles hid in the shade to cool off, and the blue tails of skinks stood out against the deep and light greens.
【Address】: Tiantai Mountain, north of Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province
【transportation】:
1. You can reach Shiliang Scenic Area by taking the scenic bus from the Visitor Center.
2. Take bus No. 7 from Tiantai Bus Station to the Guoqing Muyushan parking lot to purchase a ticket. Then transfer to a tourist minibus to Shiliang Feipu Waterfall.
3. Take bus No. 5 from Laodong Road in the city center to the Guoqing Muyushan parking lot to purchase a ticket. Then transfer to a tourist minibus to Shiliang Feipu Waterfall.
In Huading National Forest Park, lush vegetation provides a vast parasol for our gaze. The hazy, distant mountains, shrouded in a veil, appear indistinct, sometimes far, sometimes near, sometimes distant, amidst the drifting clouds. Like a few strokes of light ink smeared across the blue sky.
Mountains possess a majestic presence, yet also a simple character. They are majestic, yet also beautiful. They are treacherous, winding, flat, abrupt, gentle, and roaring. People live alongside the mountains, thriving and prospering for generations.
On sunny days, standing on the Huading Sea-Viewing Stone, one can gaze upon "peaks and ridges overlapping, mountains in eight layers." One can gaze eastwards at the Bohai Sea, northwards at the Qiantang River, westwards at Kuacang, and southwards at the Yandang Lake. The eight layers of peaks, like blossoming lotus flowers, are all within sight.
There is also a quiet place in the mountains and forests, that is Huading Lecture Temple. Huading Lecture Temple is the only sacred site of Tiantai Buddhism that originated in my country. Since the Tang Dynasty, Buddhists from the Three Kingdoms of Korea and Japan have come to worship Tiantai Mountain and climb Huading Peak, leaving behind many historical stories.
There is no Buddha in the world; when the mind is tranquil, the Buddha's land becomes pure. Huading Temple was originally named "Huading Yuanjue Daochang" and later renamed Huading Lecture Temple during the Republic of China era. It is located at the foot of Huading Peak in the Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area.
[Travel Tips]: If you live on the top of the mountain, please contact the tourist center and the driver will come up to pick you up. Just click the button manually. It will take about an hour to go down the mountain.
【Address】: Huading Scenic Area, Shiliang Town
Tiantai Buddhist Guoqing Temple is located at the foot of Huading Mountain in Tiantai County. It is the birthplace of Tiantai Sect and is located on the beautiful Tiantai Mountain. There are many famous places such as Shiliang Waterfall, Tonghu Dripping Waterfall, Chicheng Qixia, Huading Beauty, Qiongtai Night Moon and other temples and historical sites, so there is an endless stream of people coming here to worship and sightsee.
Upon entering the temple, I was immediately struck by the solemn silence. I even walked lightly, fearing any noise would awaken the slumbering monks. I'm not a Buddhist, so I didn't worship Buddha whenever I saw one. In my opinion, Buddhism advocates kindness, and I should always keep that in mind and practice it. Even if I don't worship, I believe the Buddha will still bless all kind-hearted beings.
At Guoqing Temple, I felt as if every pore in my body had opened, desperately breathing in the fresh air. From the faces of passersby, I saw everyone with a satisfied smile, freely enjoying the beauty of this land. Perhaps this kind of relaxation is what everyone needs after a busy day at work!
There are many ancient trees with a long history in the Guoqing Temple scenic area, including many 400 to 600-year-old camphor trees, and countless ancient trees whose names cannot be told.
Some of them wind their way up like dancing giant snakes; some are intertwined with two trees, as if telling the love story of hundreds of years; some stand straight up to the sky, and hundreds of years of wind and rain cannot hinder their determination to move forward.
The temple is built on the mountainside, with some buildings built into the mountainside. As you ascend, you'll see a different kind of scenery, with the entire temple in full view. The tour guide next to me said: "The entire temple is protected by the Dharma, and evil spirits cannot enter." Therefore, the magic mirror only reflects whether a person's heart is good or evil, not demons.
【Address】: Guoqing Temple, Guoqing Road, Tiantai County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province
【Ticket】: Free, self-driving requires a parking fee of 5 yuan
【transportation】:
1. Public transportation: City buses No. 5, 7, and 9 go directly to the station.
2. Highway. Deluxe, air-conditioned express buses run daily from Hangzhou North Bus Station and Ningbo Bus Station to Tiantai Mountain. It takes only two hours to reach Tiantai Mountain via the Hangzhou-Ningbo and Shangyu-Sanmen Expressways. It also takes only five hours from Shanghai to Tiantai. A high-speed bus departs daily at 8:00 AM on Minli Road, No. 233.
3. The North Bus Station primarily serves short-distance passenger transport. Minibuses are available to visit tourist attractions in various towns within the county. The North Bus Station also offers regular buses to Shaoxing (1.5 hours), Taizhou (2 hours), and Wenzhou (4 hours).
I've climbed mountains, traversed rivers, my eyes have plummeted to the bottom of the water, and I've soared high into the sky. What does travel really mean to me? Perhaps through repeated journeys, I've gradually come to understand the meaning of my journeys. Traveling, in fact, is my life. Goodbye, Tiantai Mountain.
