Mount Wutai in China

Facts and Data

Basis Data:
Unesco World heritage since: 2009
Size of heritage: 18,415 ha
- Buffer zone: 42,312 ha

Coordinates:
Longitude: 113,563°
Latitude: 39,031°

Summary

With its five flat peaks, Mount Wutai is a sacred Buddhist mountain. The cultural landscape is home to forty-one monasteries and includes the East Main Hall of Foguang Temple, the highest surviving timber building of the Tang dynasty, with life-size clay sculptures. It also features the Ming dynasty Shuxiang Temple with a huge complex of 500 statues representing Buddhist stories woven into three-dimensional pictures of mountains and water. Overall, the buildings on the site catalogue the way in which Buddhist architecture developed and influenced palace building in China for over a millennium. Mount Wutai, literally, 'the five terrace mountain', is the highest in Northern China and is remarkable for its morphology of precipitous slopes with five open treeless peaks. Temples have been built on this site from the 1st century AD to the early 20th century.

Location on Map

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Mount Wutai: A Sacred Buddhist Site in China

Located in the northeastern part of Shanxi Province, China, Mount Wutai is a UNESCO World Heritage site renowned for its cultural and religious significance. With its coordinates at N39 1 50 E113 33 48, this majestic mountain range spans an area of approximately 2,800 square kilometers and is considered one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Buddhism in China.

Historical Significance

Mount Wutai has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years. It became a prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534 AD) when Emperor Taiwu declared it as the residence of Manjusri Bodhisattva, the embodiment of wisdom in Buddhism. Since then, numerous temples and monasteries were constructed, making it a center for Buddhist learning and practice.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), Mount Wutai reached its peak as a Buddhist center, attracting scholars, monks, and pilgrims from across China and beyond. The mountain became a hub for the exchange of Buddhist teachings and the development of various Buddhist sects. The architectural styles of the temples and monasteries on Mount Wutai reflect the influence of different dynasties, making it a unique blend of Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist art and culture.

Current State

Today, Mount Wutai continues to be an active religious site and a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists alike. The mountain is home to over 50 temples and monasteries, each with its own distinct architectural style and historical significance. These structures are scattered across the five main peaks of Mount Wutai, namely East Peak, West Peak, South Peak, North Peak, and Central Peak.

The most renowned temple on Mount Wutai is the Xiantong Temple, which was built during the Tang Dynasty and is considered the oldest wooden structure in China. This temple houses precious Buddhist relics and artifacts, attracting visitors who seek spiritual enlightenment and cultural exploration.

Mount Wutai's natural beauty is equally captivating. The mountain range is characterized by its lush forests, picturesque valleys, and serene lakes, creating a tranquil atmosphere that complements the spiritual ambiance of the temples and monasteries. Visitors can explore the mountain through various hiking trails, allowing them to immerse themselves in the breathtaking scenery and experience the peacefulness that has attracted pilgrims for centuries.