Shaolin Temple

　　Built in 495 during the reign of Emperor Taihe of the Northern Wei Dynasty,the world-famous Shaolin Temple is located at the foot of the Wuru Peak of the Shaoshi Mountain of Dengfeng, a little more than 50 miles southwest of Henan's provincial capital, Zhengzhou, which was originally designed to house Batuo, a celebrated Indian monk, who, after many years of spreading Buddhism, was later known as "Fo Tuo", or Grand Monk. Then in 527 AD, Bodhidharma, an ancinent Indian monk known to the Chinese as Da Mo, came here and started the Zen sect, which is regarded as the "ancestral (first) court" of the Chinese Buddhism. It is reported that he lived here for nine years until his death in 535.

　　At the beginning of the seventh century, a tiny army of 13 Shaolin monks were reputed to have saved future Tang Dynasty emperor Li Shimin. When he took power, Li showered favors, land and wealth on the temple. Shaolin then thrived as a center of kung-fu masters from around the country. At its heyday, it housed more than 3,000 solider-monks.

　　In the temple the Hall of Thousand Buddhas is the most magnificent inside which well preserved are gigantic murals of "500 Arhats Worshiping..." that cover the east, west and north wells. On the brick floor of the hall two rows of depressions can be seen; these are marks left by Shaolin monks who over long years practiced in it martial arts, the well- known Shaolin Gongfu, which originated right here. The architecture of the halls, pavilions, pagodas and other structures in Shaolin Monastery is a representative of an important style in the history of Chinese architecture. Another valuable and precious relic well kept is the more than 300 inscribed stone tablets left over since the Tang Dynasty.

　　About 300 meters west of Shaolin Monastery is the Forest of Stupas, the largestsgroupsof stupas in China, serving as the tombs for Shaolin monks after they die. The existent over 220 stupas of brick and stone were built in the dynasties of Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing. The stupas, usually of 3-5 stories, are no more than 15 meters high, and vary in shapes of quadrangle, sexangle, cylinder, cone, parabola, straight line, bottle, circle; some are made of one piece of rock. On most of the stupas there are bas-reliefs and inscriptions. The stupa forest is representative of the artifacts of the successive dynasties and a treasure house of ancient architecture and sculpture of China.

　　Mount Wudang

　　Mount Wudang, located near Danjiangkou City in the northwest of Hubei Province, is one of China's state-level scenic spots. With 72 peaks standing in an area of over 30 sq km, it has dangerously steep cliffs and valleys, and beautiful views. The heavenly Pillar Peak, its major peak, is 1,612 m. above sea level. The whole mountain route stretches for 60km.

　　Sacred to Taosim, Mount Wudang has 36 extant shrines and temples, which were mostly built in the Ming Dynasty. There are god statues, relious objects, and Taoist scripture of high relics and art value kept in them.

　　Mount Hengshan

　　Mount Hengshan, near Hengyang City in Hunan Province, has 72 lofty peaks and winds for 400 km through seven counties and cities. The summit, Zhurong Peak, is 1,290 m. above sea level. Mount Hengshan is famous for its scenery and places of historic interest, such as the Seven Ancestors Daochang (placeswheresTaoist rites are performed), and the Zhuling Holy Spot. Many celebrities and scholars, such as Li Bai, Du Fu and Zhao Qilin, composed poems, wrote books and gave lectures on the mountain, leaving a great many legends and stone inscriptions.

　　Lushan Mountain

　　Lushan Mountain is situated in the southern part of Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, on the bank of Poyang Lake. The main scenic spots on the mountain include the Peak of the Five Old Men, Three-step Spring, Hanpo Pass, Lulin Lake, Great Tianchi Lake, Flowerpath, Ruqin Lake, Jingxiu Valley, Immortal's Caven, Lesser Tianchi Lake, Donglin Temple, White Deer Cave Academy, Lushan Botanical Gardens and Lushan Museum.

　　Guling Town, the center of the scenic area, is a unique city on the mountain. At an altitude of 1,167 meters, it is surrounded on three sides by mountains. To its north is Scissors Pass. A mountain highway leads to the various scenic spots from the city. The 1,211-meter-high Hanpo Pass lies between the Peak of the Five Old Men and Jiuqi Peak.

　　Poyang Lake is in the south of Hanpo Peak and its extensive surface is dotted with thousands of boats. Hanpo Pavilion is an ideal place to view the sunrise. To the east of Three-Step Spring is the Peak of the Five Old Menswheresa waterfall cascades from rock to rock in a total drop of 300 meters. West of Guling is the Flowerpathswheresthe noted poet of the Tang Dynasty, Bai Juyi, wrote poems expressing his admiration of the peach blossoms. Donglin Temple on the northwest slope of the mountain is the birthplace of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism. White Deer Cave Academy is in a valley at the foot of the Peak of the Five Old Men and was one of the earliest institutes of higher learning in ancient China. The Greater and Lesser Tianchi Lake are beautiful scenic spots on the mountain and contain water all the year round. The Greater and Lesser Tianchi Lakes is a good place to view a sunset and enjoy the Yangtze River while the Lesser Tianchi Lake is a good place to enjoy the beauty of the Poyang Lake. Trees surround Lushan Museum on the northern bank of Lulin Lake; it houses ancient Chinese bronzes, pottery from different historical periods, calligraphic works from Tang Dynasties. The Lushan Botanical Gardens are in a valley to the east of the mountain. At an altitude of 1,000 to 1,3000 meters, they are subhighland botanical gardens and were founded in 1934. The gardens cover an area of three square kilometers, grow more than 3,400 kinds of plants and preserve 100,000 plant samples. In 1996, the Lushan Scenic Area was put on the list of the world's cultural and natural heritage by the UNESCO.

　　The "Ghost City" of Fengdu

　　Fengdu City, near Chongqing, is a treasure-house of local customs, culture and art, integrating the Confucian, Taoist and Buddhist cultures. It is also known as the "home of Chinese magical music." Demonstrations and performances of various local customs and practices are held at the "Temple Fair of the Ghost City" every March 3 by the lunar calendar, attracting numerous visitors from home and abroad with its long history, unique culture, fascinating legends and beautiful views.

　　Jokhong Temple and the Surrounding Area

　　The Jokhong Temple on Barhkor Street is in the center of Lhasa City, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The temple is said to have been built in the mid-seventh century by Princess Wencheng. Pilgrims still flock to the temple, and Barhkor Street has become a world-famous tourist and shopping street. In nearby alleys are located the Ramoche Temple, the nunnery and numerous traditional Tibetan-style houses. This area preserves the flavor of old Lhasa.

　　Mount Emei

　　Mount Emei, composed of the Da'e, Er'e, San'e and Si'e mountains, lies in Emeishan City of Sichuan Province. Mount Emei is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. Its major scenic spots include the Baoguo Temple, Tiger-Taming Temple, Thunder Sound Temple, Pure Sun Hall, Da'e Temple, Elephant-Bathing Pond and Gold Summit Peak. A grand pilgrimage is held on Mount Emei in April every year, eminent monks attend from home and abroad. At the same time are held Buddhist ceremonies and temple fairs.

　　Mount Putuo

　　Mount Putuo in the Zhoushan Islands of Zhejiang Province is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. The scenic spot has a total area of 41.95sq km, dotted with exotic rocks, stones and caves, and clean and smooth beaches. The famous views include the Thousand-Step Sand Beach, Hundred-Step Sand Beach, Massive Rock, Two Tortoises Rock, Cave of Buddhist Sounds, Cave of Tidal Sounds and Sun-Facing Cave.

　　Buddhist service at Mont Wutai

　　Mount Wutai

　　Mount Wutai, situated in the northeast of Wutai County of Shanxi Province, is one of China's four famous Buddhist mountains. Noted for its beautiful views, ancient pines and cypresses, "sea of clouds," and numerous halls, towers, terraces and temples, Mount Wutai is a major scenic area in China, occupying an important position in the history of Buddhism in China.

　　Zhiyuan Temple on Mount Jiuhua

　　Mount Jiuhua

　　Mount Jiuhua, which lies in the southwest of Qingyang County in Anhui Province, and is noted for its towering peaks and great number of temples, is one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China. It is a state-level key scenic area. In the early fifth century, Buddhism reached Mount Jiuhua. Since then, it has attracted an increasing number of pilgrims, monks and nuns. There are over 80 large and small temples, including nine of national level.