The Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism (China)
Outline Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Chengdu
Day 2: Drive to Le Shan — Mount Emei
Day 3: Visit Golden Peak — the summit of Mount Emei
Day 4: Drive back to Chnegdu, fly to Tai Yuan and drive to Wutai mountain
Day 5: Sightseeing in Wutai mountain.
Day 6: Drive to Tai Yuan and fly to Nanjing.
Day 7: Drive to Jiuhua
Day 8: Visit Tiantai Chan Monastery, and drive to Hangzhou
Day 9: Drive to Ningbo and visit Pluto Mountain
Day 10: Visit Foding Shan, and drive back to Ningbo
Day 11: Fly to Chengdu, and Chengdu sightseeing
Day 12: Departure from Chengdu
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
International flight, from Kathmandu to Chengdu Overnight in Chengdu
Day 2
Drive from Chengdu —–Le Shan —— Mount Emei In Chinese Mahayana Buddhist tradition, that is said that Bodhisattva Samantabhadra dwells in Mount Emei. Drive bus to Leshan Giant Buddha, which depicting Maitreya Bodhisattva. Facing the river, the statue is 71 meters (about 233 feet) high, and has 8.3-meter-long (about 27 feet) fingers. The 9-meter-wide (about 30 feet) instep is big enough for one hundred people to sit on and the 24-meter-wide (about 79 feet) shoulder is large enough to be a basketball playground. In December, 1996, the location of the Buddha was included by UNESCO on the list of the World Heritage sites. Begun in the year 713 in the Tang Dynasty, and finished in the year 803, the statue took people more than 90 years to carve. Then drive to Mt. Emei. Visit Baoguo Temple, it is located at the foot of the Mt. Emei, is the largest temple on the Mt. Emei and the starting point for taking a tour of the Mt. Emei. Fuhu Temple is nestling at the foot of Mount Emei and one km from the Baoguo Temple, the Fuhu Temple, meaning “Temple to Subdue Tigers,” was first built during the Tang Dynasty. The temple is one of the largest Buddhist centers of Mount Emei, with its 13 halls and chambers tucked away in the shade of a forest. Overnight Mt. Emei.
Day 3
Early morning, visit Golden Peak , which is the summit of Mount Emei at an altitude of 3,077 metres above sea level, is the main peak of Mount Emei, a UNESCO World Heritage. Visit Huazang Temple built on the summit, it is the highest Buddhist temple in traditionally Han areas of China. Golden Peak is known for its “four wonders”: the sunrise, the sea of clouds, the “Buddhist halo”, and the “divine light”. Visit Wannian Monastery , this monastery was built up to memorize Samantabhadra Bodhisattva. Wannian Temple is known not only for the bronze statue of Samantabhadra, but also for the Beamless Brick Hall. Overnight Emei Shan
Day 4
Drive back to Chengdu and take plan to Tai Yuan If time is possible, visit Manjusri Monastery in Chengdu before fly to Tai Yuan. Manjushri Monastery is the best-preserved Buddhist temple in Chengdu. Drive to Wutai Mountain after arrival. Overnight Wutai mountain.
Day 5
In Chinese Mahayana Buddhist tradition, that is said that Bodhisattva Manjusri dwells in Mount Wutai. Visit Bodhisattva Summit, it is also called “Zhenrong Yuan” (real appearance) . It was built originally in Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). Giant White Pagoda, is located inside Tayuan Temple, is the symbol of Mt. Wutai, so it becomes a “must-see”.
Day 6
Tai Yuan to Nanjing After breakfast, drive to Tai Yuan and then fly to Nanjing. If There is extra time, can do little shopping in the city of Tai Yuan. Overnight in Nanjing
Day 7
Drive Nanjing to Jiuhua Mountain Mount Jiuhua is one of the four sacred mountains of Chinese Buddhism, and is famous for its rich landscape and ancient temples. Many of the mountain’s shrines and temples are dedicated to Ksitigarbha (known in Chinese as Dìzàng), who is a bodhisattva and protector of beings in hell realms according to Mahayana Buddhist tradition. Visit The Incarnation Grand Hall with about 1300 years’ history. the Incarnation Grand Hall reserves the real body of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.
Day 8
Tiantai Chan Monastery, also known as the Temple of Ksitigarbha ,was first built in the Tang dynasty (618–907). It is a located on the top of Mount Jiuhua, Tiantai Peak, is also called Heavenly Terrace Peak. A saying goes “you never reach Mount Jiuhua without a visit to Heavenly Terrace Peak”. Numerous believers and travelers head to Heavenly Terrace Peak and pray at Tiantai Temple. Visit Longevity Palace, which was first built up in Ming dynasty. In the 16th century, the monk called Wuxia after traveling to Mount Wutai and Mount Emei came to Mount Jiuhua and cultivated himself and live till 126 years old. His body was found three years later after he died, which was without decomposition. Hence, the temple changed into name of Longevity Palace., Qi Yuan Monastery, is listed as one of the Four Buddhist Temples of Mount Jiuhua. Walking around the temple, you can view a huge bronze cooking pot which can be used as cook for 1000 monks. Huacheng Monastery, in Eastern Jin Dynasty (401 AD), the monk Beidu built the temple for cultivation. Rebuilt in Tang Dynasty, when Kim Qiaojue came to Mount Jiuhua and died at 99 years old. Huacheng Temple was regarded as the rite for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. After early dinner, drive to Hangzhou. Overnight in Hangzhou
Day 9
Drive Hangzhou to Ningbo to Putuo Mountain Mount Putuo is an island southeast of Shanghai. It is a renowned site in Chinese Buddhism, and is considered the place of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (Guanyin). Mount Putuo is one of the four sacred mountains . Visit outdoor GuanYan Statue in Mount Putuo. Overnight Putuo Mountain
Day 10
Visit Foding Shan, is situated at the top of Mount Putuo, so it also known as the “Buddha Summit” at an altitude of 291.3-metre (956 ft), the highest point on Mount Putuo. It is the third largest Buddhist temple on Mount Putuo, after Puji Temple and Fayu Temple. Fayu Temple is the second largest temple in Mount Putuo, and is a national key Buddhist temple designated by the State Council. The Hall of Guanyin of Fayu Temple is also called “Nine Dragon Hall”, in which the nine dragon wall is bluestone embossed with exquisite craftsmanship and life-like Chinese dragons. The entire piece came from the nine dragon palace in the Forbidden City in Beijing during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). The Hall of Guanyin ranks in the highest architectural status of Buddhist temples. It is acclaimed as one of three treasures in Mount Putuo. Statue of Guanyin is enshrined in the center with Eighteen Arhats lining up on both sides. Puji Monastery dates from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and covers 11,000 square meters (2.7 acres). Early afternoon drive back to Ningbo Overnight Ningbo
Day 11
Flight Ningbo to Chengdu City tour of Chengdu
Day 12
Flight Chengdu to Kathmandu
