Bring your ID card, which is required for entering the scenic area and hotel check-in.
Clothes
The climate in Mount Wutai is changeable with a large temperature difference between day and night. Even if you go in summer, you need to prepare long-sleeved jackets, long pants and other warm clothes; in spring and autumn, bring thick sweaters, windbreakers, etc.; in winter, prepare thick down jackets, warm gloves, scarves, hats and other cold-proof equipment.
Comfortable sports shoes or hiking shoes for walking in the scenic area.
Items
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats and other sun protection products, especially in summer.
Rain gear, as there is relatively more rainfall in Mount Wutai.
Personal toiletries and common medicines (such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, motion sickness medicine, etc.).
Others
Book scenic area tickets and accommodation in advance through official websites, online travel platforms and other channels.
Transportation Guide
External Transportation
Airplane
You can first fly to Taiyuan Wusu International Airport, and then take a long-distance bus or train to Mount Wutai at the airport.
Train
Mount Wutai Station: It is relatively close to the Mount Wutai scenic area, and there are shuttle buses to the scenic area after getting off the train.
Taiyuan Station/Taiyuan South Station: You can transfer to long-distance buses or trains to Mount Wutai in Taiyuan.
Long-distance Bus
There are direct long-distance buses to the Mount Wutai scenic area from cities such as Taiyuan and Xinzhou.
Internal Transportation
Scenic Area Sightseeing Bus
The Mount Wutai scenic area is large, and the sightseeing bus is the main means of transportation, which can stop at major scenic spots. After buying a ticket, you can take it an unlimited number of times within the specified time.
Hiking
The distance between some scenic spots is relatively short, and you can choose to visit on foot to experience the atmosphere of Mount Wutai more deeply.
Scenic Spot Introduction
Taihuai Town
Wuye Temple (Wanfo Pavilion)
Features: One of the most popular temples in Mount Wutai with the most prosperous incense. It is said that Lord Wuye (Guangji Dragon King Bodhisattva) is very efficacious, and many people come to make wishes and pray for blessings.
Tourist Suggestions: It is best to go in the early morning to avoid the peak flow of people and feel a stronger religious atmosphere. The buildings in the temple are simple and ancient, and you can carefully appreciate their carved beams and painted rafters.
Tayuan Temple
Features: It is famous for the Big White Pagoda, the landmark building of Mount Wutai. The Big White Pagoda is magnificent, with a total height of 75.3 meters. There are precious cultural relics such as the Buddha’s Foot Stele in the pagoda.
Tourist Suggestions: Walking clockwise around the pagoda is a traditional way of worshiping the Buddha. You can appreciate the exquisite architectural details of the pagoda while walking, and you can also enter the temple to visit other halls.
Xiantong Temple
Features: It is the oldest and largest temple in Mount Wutai with magnificent buildings, including the Mahavira Hall, the Wu Liang Hall, the Bronze Hall, etc. The Wu Liang Hall is built entirely of blue bricks without a single wooden beam, and the Bronze Hall is made of copper with exquisite craftsmanship.
Tourist Suggestions: You can hire a tour guide to explain and gain an in-depth understanding of the history, culture and architectural features of Xiantong Temple.
Five Terrace Peaks
Dongtai Wanghai Peak
Features: It is a good place to watch the sunrise. On a clear day, you can overlook the sea of clouds. There is Wanghai Temple on the peak, enshrining the Manjusri Bodhisattva of Wisdom.
Tourist Suggestions: You can take the scenic area morning bus or go on foot. Hiking requires a certain amount of physical strength and time, so make preparations in advance.
Xitai Guayue Peak
Features: There is Falei Temple on the peak. It is said that every autumn night, the moon hangs like a mirror on the peak, so it gets its name.
Tourist Suggestions: The morning bus usually stops on the peak for a certain period of time. You can visit the temple and enjoy the scenery on the peak during the stop.
Nantai Jinxiu Peak
Features: Rich in vegetation and full of wildflowers. There is Puji Temple, enshrining the Manjusri Bodhisattva of Wisdom.
Tourist Suggestions: It is suitable for visiting in summer. You can hike and enjoy the natural scenery and beautiful flowers along the way.
Beitai Yedou Peak
Features: It has the highest altitude and is known as the “Roof of North China”. There is Lingying Temple on the peak. The weather is cold, the wind is strong, and there is snow all year round.
Tourist Suggestions: Pay attention to keeping warm. Even in summer, you need to wear thick coats. Due to the high altitude, some people may have altitude sickness, so take preventive measures in advance.
Zhongtai Cuiyan Peak
Features: There is Yanjiao Temple on the peak. There are piles of huge rocks, and the scenery is like a fairyland when surrounded by clouds and fog.
Tourist Suggestions: You can watch the strange geological landscape and cloud and fog landscape on the peak.
Food Recommendations
Vegetarian Food
Tai Mushroom Stewed Tofu
Features: The Tai mushroom, a specialty of Mount Wutai, tastes delicious. When stewed with tofu, the tofu absorbs the fragrance of the Tai mushroom and has a smooth taste.
Arhat Vegetarian Dish
Features: Made with a variety of seasonal vegetables, bean products, etc., and cooked with vegetarian broth. It is rich in nutrition and has a light taste.
Special Snacks
Oatmeal栲栳栳
Features: Tubular pasta made of oat flour. After steaming, it can be eaten by dipping in meat sauce, pickled cabbage soup, etc. It is chewy and delicious.
Fried Yam
Features: The yam (potato) is first boiled and then fried, and then stir-fried with seasonings. It is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside with a rich flavor.
Accommodation Options
Taihuai Town
Hotels
There are various grades of hotels to choose from, ranging from star-rated hotels to budget express hotels, with relatively complete supporting facilities and close to the main temple scenic spots, making it convenient to travel.
Homestays
Rich in local characteristics, where you can experience the local lifestyle. Some homestays also provide special catering services with relatively affordable prices.
Temple Lodging
You can contact the temple in advance to apply for temple lodging to experience temple life more deeply. However, the conditions are relatively simple, and you need to abide by the relevant regulations of the temple.
In the early morning, go to Wuye Temple to offer incense and pray for blessings, then visit the Big White Pagoda in Tayuan Temple, and then visit the many halls in Xiantong Temple. Finally, climb up to Pusa Ding to overlook the panoramic view of Taihuai Town.
Visit Wuye Temple, Tayuan Temple, and Xiantong Temple in the morning in turn. After lunch and a short rest, visit Luohou Temple and Shuxiang Temple in the afternoon. In the evening, you can taste the special cuisine in Taihuai Town and stroll around the night view of the town.
Second Day
Dailuo Ding Bishan Temple
In the morning, hike or take a cable car to Dailuo Ding (known as the “Small Pilgrimage Platform”) to worship the Five Manjusri Bodhisattvas. In the afternoon, visit Bishan Temple to experience its quiet atmosphere, and then return.
In-depth Tour Route (Three Days or More)
First Day
Major temples in Taihuai Town (Wuye Temple, Tayuan Temple, Xiantong Temple, etc.)
Second Day
Dongtai Wanghai Peak Beitai Yedou Peak (you can take the morning bus)
Third Day
Zhongtai Cuiyan Peak Xitai Guayue Peak Nantai Jinxiu Peak (you can combine taking the morning bus with hiking)
Subsequent Days
You can choose to lodge in the temple to experience temple life deeply, participate in religious activities such as morning and evening classes, or go hiking and photography in the natural scenic spots in the scenic area.
Precautions
Religious Etiquette
When entering the temple, dress appropriately and avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, off-the-shoulder clothes, etc.; abide by various regulations in the temple, such as not talking loudly and not touching the Buddha statues.
If you need to offer incense, do it in the correct way. You can ask the monks in the temple for advice.
Environmental Protection
Mount Wutai is a Buddhist sacred place and a nature reserve. Do not litter during the tour and take good care of every plant and tree in the scenic area.
