Chinese Buddhism designates four sacred mountains, each the residence of a bodhisattva: Wutai Shan (文殊, Manjushri), Emei Shan (普贤, Samantabhadra), Jiuhua Shan (地藏, Ksitigarbha), and Putuo Shan (观音, Guanyin). This ambitious 10-day circuit visits all four, using a mix of HSR and flights. Pilgrimage season is April–October; Emei and Wutai require physical fitness for the mountain sections.

Day by day

Day 1 · wutaishan

Arrival Wutai Mountain, Dailuo Peak, Xiantong Temple

Fly to Taiyuan, then bus to Wutai Mountain (五台山, Shanxi, 3h). Wutai Shan is a plateau (not a single peak) at 2,700m. Xiantong Temple — the oldest temple complex, first built in the Eastern Han dynasty. Shuxiang Temple with the 500 arhats.

Attractions: wutai-mountain

Stay in: Wutai Mountain village.

Flight to Taiyuan, then bus 3h to Wutai Mountain.

Day 2 · wutaishan

Wutai — Luohou Temple, Dailuo Peak, morning puja

Dawn puja at Xiantong Temple. Luohou Temple — a notable Tang-dynasty lotus altar mechanism. Tram or walk to Dailuo Peak (台顶) for a panoramic view of the five flat-topped sacred summits. Wutai supports both Chinese (Han) and Tibetan Buddhist traditions simultaneously.

Attractions: wutai-mountain

Stay in: Wutai Mountain.

Day 3 · jiuhuashan

Fly to Jiuhua Mountain

Morning bus back to Taiyuan, fly to Nanjing or Hefei. Bus to Jiuhua Mountain (九华山, Anhui). Jiuhua Shan — a cluster of 99 peaks, home to the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha (地藏菩萨) who vowed to remain in the human realm until all beings reach enlightenment. The mountain has over 90 active temples.

Stay in: Jiuhua Mountain village.

Flight Taiyuan → Nanjing 2h, then bus Nanjing → Jiuhua Mountain 3h.

Day 4 · jiuhuashan

Jiuhua — Huacheng Temple, Roushen Hall

Huacheng Temple — the main complex, significantly rebuilt but atmospherically intact. Roushen Hall — the preserved body (mummy) of the monk Dizang, kept in a sitting meditation posture and revered as a bodhisattva manifestation. Tian Tai Peak (天台峰) for the mountain panorama.

Stay in: Jiuhua Mountain.

Day 5 · emeishan

Fly to Chengdu, train to Emei Mountain

Flight east to Chengdu. HSR south to Emei station. Emei Shan (峨眉山, Sichuan) — the highest of the four sacred mountains at 3,099m. Cable car up to the Jieyin Hall before sunset for the Baoguo Temple area.

Attractions: mount-emei

Stay in: Emei Mountain mid-station or base.

Flight Jiuhua/Nanjing → Chengdu 2.5h; HSR Chengdu → Emei 1.5h, ¥50.

Day 6 · emeishan

Emei — Golden Summit at dawn

Early morning cable car to Golden Summit (金顶, 3,077m) — the site of the 48m gilded Samantabhadra statue. Cloud-sea views if conditions allow. The Wanfo Summit (3,099m) is a short walk. Emei's resident macaques inhabit the forest below the summit.

Attractions: mount-emei

Stay in: Emei base or Leshan.

Day 7 · leshan

Leshan Giant Buddha, return to Chengdu

Bus to Leshan. The Leshan Giant Buddha (乐山大佛) — a Tang dynasty Maitreya carved into a cliff face at the confluence of three rivers, 71m tall. Boat approach for the full-height view. Return to Chengdu by HSR.

Attractions: leshan-giant-buddha

Stay in: Chengdu.

Bus Emei → Leshan 1h; HSR Leshan → Chengdu 1h, ¥35.

Day 8 · putuoshan

Fly to Ningbo, ferry to Putuo Island

Morning flight Chengdu → Ningbo. Ferry from Shenjiamen pier to Putuo Island (普陀岛, Zhejiang). Putuo Shan is an island — the residence of Guanyin Bodhisattva of compassion — with temples covering the entire island from shore to shore.

Attractions: putuoshan

Stay in: Putuo Island.

Flight CTU → Ningbo 2.5h; ferry 2h from Shenjiamen.

Day 9 · putuoshan

Putuo — Puji Temple, Fayu Temple, Huiji Temple ridge

Three main temple complexes: Puji at sea level, Fayu halfway up, Huiji at the ridgeline — the traditional pilgrimage ascent on foot covers all three in sequence. The island's southern beach (千步沙) is considered sacred, and Buddhist monks bathe in the sea here. Sound of the tide at the cave mouth is said to be Guanyin's voice.

Attractions: putuoshan

Stay in: Putuo Island.

Day 10 · ningbo

Return to Ningbo or Shanghai, departure

Morning ferry back to the mainland. The option from Ningbo is HSR to Shanghai (1.5h), giving an easy international departure from PVG. Alternatively, fly direct from Ningbo.

Ferry Putuo → Ningbo 2h; HSR Ningbo → Shanghai Hongqiao 1.5h, ¥100.

Per person 10 days. Four internal flights approximately ¥3,000–4,000. Wutai Mountain entrance ¥168. Emei Mountain entrance ¥185. Jiuhua Mountain ¥190. Putuo Shan ¥160. Temple accommodation (simple) ¥80–150/night.

Backpacker	¥7000
Mid-range	¥16000
Comfortable	¥30000

Four Buddhist Mountains Circuit, 10 days