Day 1 Taiyuan → Nanchan Temple → Foguang Temple → Mount Wutai
·morning
Special reminder:
1. Mount Wutai currently adopts the form of booking tickets in different time periods one day in advance. It may be difficult to book tickets on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month, weekends, and holidays. Please pay attention to mobile phone text messages and phone notifications. If you are unable to get Mount Wutai tickets on your travel date, you can reschedule or give you a full refund.
2. Between 6 PM and 8 PM the night before departure, your tour guide will contact you by phone to inform you of the pick-up time for the next day. Please be patient and wait!
3. As Mount Wutai is quite far away, you may need to get up early to have more time to visit. Please understand.
08:00-08:30 Tourists staying in hotels in the main urban area of Taiyuan City can wait patiently for the special car to pick them up
Gather at about 08:30 and set off to start today's trip to Mount Wutai
Pickup area: West of Jianshe Road, east of Qianfeng Road, south of Fudong (West) Street, and north of Jinyang Street in Taiyuan City. Please note the hotel name and location in the remarks column when placing an order. If the driver is unable to pick you up, we will call you one day in advance to inform you of the nearest pick-up point and time.
·morning
Visit Nanchan Temple from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Entering Nanchan Temple is like stepping back into the Tang Dynasty, experiencing the prosperity and splendor of Buddhist art. The 17 Tang Dynasty Buddha statues within the hall, still preserved in their original form, are all treasures of the period. The statues are arranged in order of rank, each fulfilling its own role. Although small in scale, the Great Buddha Hall of Nanchan Temple boasts refined craftsmanship and a simple, ancient style, embodying the grand and minimalist artistic style of the Tang Dynasty. The instructor will use a model of bracket sets to recreate the construction process, allowing participants to gain a clearer understanding of the characteristics of these structures.
Key points: "Tang Dynasty architecture, Tang Dynasty statues, and the reproduction of bracket sets
Lunch at a farmhouse on the way from about 11:30 to 13:00
·afternoon
Go to Foguang Temple around 13:00-13:30
Visit Foguang Temple from 13:30 to 15:00
Foguang Temple, having survived through millennia, defies the Japanese scholar's claim that "there are no Tang Dynasty buildings in China." It embodies the culmination of over 1,000 years of architectural decorative art, showcasing the styles of the Wei, Qi, Tang, and Song dynasties. This grand museum of architectural art preserves precious Tang Dynasty architecture, inscriptions, murals, and statues, known as the "Four Wonders." Liang Sicheng praised it, saying, "Each of these four elements is truly a masterpiece, and the collection of these four in one hall is truly a national treasure." Here, one can revisit its charm by referring to Liang Sicheng's architectural survey maps.
Key highlights: "Four Wonders" - Tang Dynasty architecture, Tang Dynasty inscriptions, Tang Dynasty murals, Tang Dynasty statues, and historical comparisons
Afterwards, we will go to Mount Wutai, the first of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China.
You can pray along the way. At Tayuan Temple, you'll find the iconic Great White Pagoda, a pristine white tower crowned by over 200 bronze bells, each producing a melodious sound. The tower rises majestically into the heavens. You can circumambulate the pagoda to make vows, chanting sutras, prostrating, and stroking the Dharma Wheel. Xiantong Temple, also known as the Great Xiantong Temple, is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in China. Its halls and wings are meticulously arranged, with a distinct central axis and symmetrically symmetrical side halls. The bronze hall, containing 100,000 kilograms of copper, is one of the best-preserved in China.
In the evening, go to [Pudeshan]
This is one of the tallest buildings in the area. Legend has it that there's a magical aura here, making wishes that are truly effective, and tourists can make wishes for loved ones. I was fortunate to have a beautiful, clear day. Looking up at the sky, the clouds formed a layer upon layer of auspicious patterns, awe-inspiring either at the wonders of nature or the boundless power of Buddhism. Looking down, I could see the panoramic view of Taihuai Town, a breathtaking sight. All in all, it was a truly relaxing experience, a moment of solitude and tranquility.
Due to the different pace of each person's visit, the entrance fees to Tayuan Temple, Xiantong Temple, and Pusading are at your own expense. Please refer to the tour guide's arrangements on the day.
After having fun, we will stay at Mount Wutai at night and have a good sleep.
Day 2 Mount Wutai → Taiyuan
All day
The morning departure time will be subject to the tour guide's notification the day before. Please meet at the hotel lobby on time.
After breakfast, we will start our second day's journey.
【Dailuoding】
Known as "Cool Mountain," the summit is covered in ice year-round, keeping temperatures very low, so be sure to dress warmly. Lazy souls can enjoy a good night's sleep and a delicious breakfast. Afterward, you'll have the choice of ascending to the summit, Dailuo Peak. You can either walk or take the cable car. Tourists can choose the stairway called "Dazhi Road," which has 1,080 steps and is approximately 500 meters long. This path leads to wisdom, and walking it will make you wiser and brighter.
Dailuoding Peak houses the five statues of Manjushri Bodhisattva on five different peaks. Coming here is like visiting all five peaks, allowing you to worship all five at once. Hence the name "Small Chaotai." You can worship here, accumulate merit, and make wishes. It's said to be quite effective!
【Wuye Temple】
The Wuye enshrined in the hall of Wuye Temple is the respectful title of Guangji Dragon King Manjushri Bodhisattva, and is also the incarnation of Manjushri Bodhisattva on the five peaks of Wutai Mountain. Therefore, this is the most popular temple in the entire Wutai Mountain. In the minds of devout believers, it has almost become a symbol of what all wishes will be granted. We can make a wish here and pray for peace.
【Rahhou Temple】
Luohou Temple currently has 118 rooms, including the Heavenly King Hall, Manjusri Hall, Great Buddha Hall, and Sutra Library. The rear hall of the temple has a famous "Flowering Buddha" movable mechanism, which was made from a "sacred tree" in the temple and has become a very famous attraction in Wutai Mountain.
Due to the different pace of each person's visit, you are required to pay for the entrance fees to Tayuan Temple, Xiantong Temple, Bodhisattva Peak, Dailuo Peak, Wuye Temple, etc. The specific arrangements will be subject to the tour guide's arrangement on the day.
After having fun, we returned to Taiyuan and ended our pleasant journey.
Arrive at Taiyuan Liuxiang Food Street at around 18:30 and disband
