Buddhist sites guide

The four sacred Buddhist mountains

The Four Sacred Buddhist Mountains of Han Buddhism each correspond to a Bodhisattva:

• Mt Wutai (Shanxi) — Manjusri (Wenshu, the Bodhisattva of wisdom). Northern, cold, austere. UNESCO-listed. Five flat-topped peaks; the temples cluster in a valley between them.
• Mt Emei (Sichuan) — Samantabhadra (Puxian, the Bodhisattva of practice). Southwest, lush. Golden Summit at 3,099m. UNESCO-listed jointly with the Leshan Buddha.
• Mt Putuo (Zhejiang) — Avalokitesvara (Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of compassion). On an island off Ningbo. Coastal, milder. Ferry from the mainland.
• Mt Jiuhua (Anhui) — Ksitigarbha (Dizang, the Bodhisattva of the underworld). Central. Less internationally famous; substantial within China.

A pilgrimage to all four is a significant religious commitment; combined visits within a single trip are unusual due to the geographic spread.

Major Buddhist temples

• Lingyin Temple (Hangzhou) — among the largest active monasteries in eastern China; 1,700+ years old.
• Yonghe Gong / Lama Temple (Beijing) — Tibetan Buddhist (Gelugpa) monastery in central Beijing.
• Famen Temple (Shaanxi) — 110 km west of Xi'an. Houses a finger relic of the Buddha; major Tang-dynasty foundation.
• White Horse Temple (Luoyang) — the first Buddhist temple in China, founded 68 CE.
• Shaolin Temple (Henan) — birthplace of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and Chinese martial arts.
• Tiantong Temple (Ningbo) — Linji Chan tradition.
• Yuantong Temple (Kunming) — major Yunnan temple.
• Po Lin Monastery (Lantau, Hong Kong) — alongside the Tian Tan Big Buddha.

Buddhist cliff carvings (UNESCO sites)

• Mogao Caves (Dunhuang) — 4th–14th century Silk Road Buddhist art. UNESCO.
• Yungang Grottoes (Datong) — 5th–6th century Northern Wei foundation. UNESCO.
• Longmen Grottoes (Luoyang) — 5th–9th century. UNESCO.
• Dazu Rock Carvings (Chongqing) — 9th–13th century. UNESCO.
• Bingling Temple Grottoes (Gansu) — UNESCO.
• Maijishan Grottoes (Gansu) — 'Wheat-stack mountain'.

Tibetan Buddhist sites

In the Tibet Autonomous Region (permit required): - **Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Drepung, Sera, Norbulingka** in Lhasa. - **Tashilhunpo** in Shigatse. - **Pelkhor Chode** in Gyantse.

In Tibetan-cultural areas without permit: - **Labrang Monastery** (Xiahe, Gansu) — one of the largest monasteries of the Gelugpa school outside the TAR. - **Songzanlin Monastery** (Shangri-La, Yunnan) — 'Little Potala'. - **Kumbum Monastery** (Xining, Qinghai) — Tsongkhapa's birthplace. - **Larung Gar** (Sichuan) — partially restricted.

Visiting etiquette

• Walk clockwise around stupas, prayer halls and central shrines.
• Don't touch monks' robes or religious objects.
• Photography inside worship halls is often restricted; check for posted signs.
• Remove hats indoors.
• Keep voices low.
• Donations are welcome but not required; small notes (¥10–¥50) are standard.

Practising Buddhists

For practising visitors, most major temples offer accommodation for short retreats. Lingyin, Mt Wutai, Mt Putuo, Mt Emei all have monastery guesthouses. The vegetarian meals are simple and good. Apply in advance via a Chinese Buddhist association contact.