Visited Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area 4 times, and finally figured it out!

Shaoxing's "Heaven on Earth," the real-life version of the Doushuaitian Palace from Journey to the West, a Buddhist holy site built with a 1 billion yuan investment, blending Tang Dynasty architecture with Maitreya Pure Land culture, so stunning it brings tears to your eyes!

🗺️ Address

No. 732 Xianglin Avenue, Hutang Street, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, covering an area of 4.3 square kilometers.

🚌 Transportation

- Self-driving: Exit Keqiao on the Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo Expressway or exit Keyan on the Hangzhou-Shaoxing-Taiwan Expressway, navigate to "Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area Parking Lot," then transfer to the scenic shuttle bus to enter (Parking fee: 10 yuan/4 hours for cars).
- Public transportation:
- High-speed rail to Shaoxing North Station → transfer to bus 818 directly to the scenic area;
- Metro Line 1 Mingzhu Square Station → transfer to bus 812.
- Within the scenic area:
- From the Visitor Center to Longhua Temple: round-trip scenic shuttle bus 25 yuan (mandatory, private cars prohibited);
- From Longhua Temple to Doushuaitian Palace: 15-minute walk or one-way scenic shuttle bus 10 yuan.

🧭 Travel Guide

Core attraction route (about 4 hours total)

1. Longhua Temple✨: The largest royal-style temple in Jiangnan, with red walls and golden tiles, featuring a seven-entry, nine-story layout. Must-see:
- The 8-meter tall bronze Avalokitesvara statue in the Mahavira Hall;
- The Sutra Pavilion housing the "Qianlong Tripitaka";
- The Longhua Pavilion viewing platform overlooking the palace.
2. Fragrant Water Lake🌊: A mirror-like lake outside the north gate of Longhua Temple, perfect for afternoon photos capturing the palace’s reflection.
3. Doushuaitian Palace🏯:
- The purple-gold lotus dome (56.7 meters in diameter, the largest in the world);
- The 33-meter tall Maitreya statue wearing a heavenly crown (the tallest indoor seated Buddha globally);
- Seven-layer precious white marble railings and the twelve zodiac wishing pool.
4. Great Fragrant Forest🍂: A thousand-year-old ancient osmanthus grove (a must-visit when the osmanthus blooms in autumn).

Time-saving tips

- Take the shortcut from the right side of the Reclining Buddha Hall at Longhua Temple to the east gate of the palace to avoid climbing 138 steps.
- Enter before 8:30 AM to avoid peak crowds.

⚠️ Travel Suggestions

1. Time management:
- Latest entry time is 3:00 PM, last scenic shuttle down the mountain at 4:30 PM (daylight saving time); missing it means a 2-hour walk down.
2. Equipment tips:
- Wear non-slip sports shoes (many steps);
- Bring a jacket (strong winds and big temperature differences at the summit).
3. Photography guide:
- Wear bright clothing at the palace (white jade architecture makes photos pop);
- Flash photography of Buddha statues is prohibited.

🍜 Food Recommendations

- Longhua Temple Vegetarian Restaurant: 30 yuan per person, exquisite lotus-themed vegetarian feast (recommended dish: "One Leaf One Bodhi").
- Nearby farmhouse dishes:
- Braised pork with preserved vegetables, Shaoxing three fresh delicacies, drunken shrimp (Jianhu Yuge Restaurant);
- Anchang Ancient Town sausages and pulled sugar candy (20-minute drive).

🛏️ Accommodation Recommendations

- Longhua Jing She Homestay: Zen-style homestay inside the scenic area, overlooking the Kuaiji Mountains, listen to bells in the morning and watch the sea of clouds at dusk (about 500 yuan/night).
- Xiang Ye Er Sheng · Summer Mood Homestay: Mountain-view rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows in Keqiao District, including lawn pool and creek-side hot springs (15-minute drive).

🌸 Other Nearby Attractions

1. Keyan Scenic Area (10-minute drive):
- Keyan "Tiangong Buddha," Jianhu black-awning boats, Lu Town Ah Q themed performance.
2. Anchang Ancient Town: One of Shaoxing’s four ancient towns, with small bridges and flowing water paired with old sausage and sauce shops.
3. Guazhu Lake Park: Cherry blossom rain covers the lakeshore in March (free admission).

💡 Ultimate Insight:
The first visit was breathtaking; by the fourth visit, I learned how to avoid crowds and enjoy all the highlights! If short on time, skip the Great Fragrant Forest and focus on Longhua Temple + the palace. When you reach the top and say, "This is the pure land on earth," it’s worth every ticket price.