Jiuhuashan - holy mountain of China
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A temple courtyard where cauldrons of incense is burned while visitors pray to Buddha on October 14, 2010.[Photo:CRIENGLISH.com] |
![A temple courtyard where cauldrons of incense is burned while visitors pray to Buddha on October 14, 2010.[Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20101019/000d87ad3cdd0e273e2009.jpg "A temple courtyard where cauldrons of incense is burned while visitors pray to Buddha on October 14, 2010.[Photo:CRIENGLISH.com]")
Legend has it that Jui Hua Shan became famous in the year 747 A.D., when the Chinese poet Li Bai met Kim Kiao Kak, a Korean prince who died in the mountains after seventy-five years of praying to Dizang Pusa. Li Bai's fate was quite different. He died in the nearby Yangtze River while trying to embrace the reflection of the moon, but luckily not before writing some of the finest poetry in literary history.
Another unique feature of the area is its abundance of bamboo trees. The Minyuan Garden is a place where one can absorb this natural treasure, as this area consists of 160 hectares of thick green bamboo trees. Other places not to miss are the Longxi (Dragon) Stream, Ancient Phoenix Pine (over 1,000 years old), Huayan Cave, Telpher Stop, Huiju Temple, and the Green Cloud Nunnery.
After a vegetarian lunch consisting of noodles, soup, rice, boiled snails and other dishes, we descended the rainy mountain all feeling, for one reason or another, more peaceful. The area has a meditative quality to it you won't find among many mountain ranges.
One of my favorite things about living in China is discovering the surprises it has to offer. Enjoying the scenery and peacefulness of Jiu Hua Shan is something everyone should take in at least once, regardless of where you live or where you're from. For those already in China, you have no excuse; go as soon as you can.
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