Zen-inspired Jiuhua Three-Day Boutique Tour

Jiuhua Mountain 3 Days 2 Nights Hot Travel Guide｜Explore the famous Buddhist mountain with 3000 RMB, a spiritual journey intertwining Zen and nature!

💰Budget: 3000 RMB (for two people, 1500 RMB per person)
🚄Transportation: High-speed train to Chizhou Station or Tongling Station, then transfer to a tourist shuttle bus directly to Jiuhua Street (round-trip transportation about 400 RMB/person), unlimited bus pass inside the scenic area 80 RMB/person

🏨Accommodation: Two nights in a Zen-style mountain guesthouse
✔ Stay at a quiet inn near Jiuhua Street or Qiyuan Temple, wooden house courtyard, temple view from the window, includes vegetarian breakfast, average 400 RMB/night, total 800 RMB

🎟️Tickets + Experiences: 600 RMB (includes Jiuhua Mountain entrance ticket 190 RMB/person × 2 = 380 RMB, Dayuan Cultural Park cable car 100 RMB/two people, Baishou Palace cable car one way 80 RMB, Ksitigarbha Zen meditation experience class 198 RMB)

🌳Recommended park activities:

📍Jiuhua Mountain Core Scenic Area — "Lotus Buddha Kingdom" blending nature and culture
✔ Climb Tiantai to watch the sea of clouds sunrise｜✔ Walk the cliff plank road at Baijing Platform｜✔ Pay respects at Baishou Palace (Ming Dynasty flesh-body Bodhisattva)

📍Huatai Scenic Area — an aerial garden for spring azalea and autumn red leaves viewing
✔ Take the cable car up, stroll the suspended walkway, overlook the overlapping peaks, perfect for photography

📍Dayuan Cultural Park — modern Buddhist landmark
✔ Admire the 99-meter Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva bronze statue, watch the nighttime light show "A Millennium Dream of Jiuhua"

📍Qiyuan Temple — Dongya Zen Temple loop
✔ Walk through Jiuhua Old Street lined with ancient temples, listen to morning bells and evening drums, feel the daily practice of cultivation

📍Phoenix Pine — Shenguang Ridge
✔ Millennium ancient pine welcomes guests, check in at "Jiangnan’s First Pine," a sacred place for blessings and wishes

🍜Must-try dishes (simple and pure, the taste of Zen on your palate):
✔ Jiuhua vegetarian cuisine: Luohan vegetarian dish, vegetarian roast goose, tofu soup (served at temples or inns, light and stomach-friendly)
✔ Local heritage dish: chicken soup with fried rice noodles, warm and comforting
✔ Stewed chicken with stone ear mushrooms｜✔ Polygonatum glutinous rice cake｜✔ Jiuhua black tea (freshly picked, rich aroma)
✔ Street snacks: Artemisia rice cake (Qingming Festival special), kudzu starch balls, glutinous rice stamped cake

📅 Itinerary Highlights:

Day 1: Arrive at the mountain → Check in at Jiuhua Street → Afternoon visit Qiyuan Temple + Phoenix Pine → Night watch Dayuan Cultural Park light show

Day 2: Full day deep tour｜Huatai cable car → Tiantai hiking → Baishou Palace climb｜Stay overnight on the mountaintop to stargaze and listen to Zen

Day 3: Early morning climb Tiantai to watch sunrise → Experience Zen meditation class on the way down → Lunch and souvenir shopping before departure

🎁Must-buy souvenirs:
✔ Jiuhua Polygonatum tea｜✔ Ksitigarbha protective amulet｜✔ Handmade sachets｜✔ Vegetarian meal kits

✨Blogger Tips:
✔ Best in spring and autumn, temple fairs busiest in April; wear non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket for hiking
✔ Book vegetarian meals and meditation classes in advance for full immersion!

📌One sentence recommendation:
Not just the worldly hustle, but a soul’s escape — climb Jiuhua, worship Ksitigarbha, eat vegetarian meals, listen to the wind through temple eaves and bells, at that moment, the heart truly calms.