2 Days Mount Jiuhua Scenic Hiking Tour

Full Itinerary Day by day

Day 1 Mount Jiuhua Arrival & Tour (L)

Welcome to Mount Jiuhua. Upon arrival, your tour guide and driver will meet you at the Chizhou Jiuhuashan Airport or Chizhou Railway Station, and then escort you to Mount Jiuhua directly.

First, you will take a tourist bus to witness the 99-meter Golden Statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, a new pilgrimage landmark of Mount Jiuhua and the tallest outdoor bronze Buddhist statue in the world. Beyond the spacious square, archways, bridges, clear ponds, the most impressive sight is the giant Buddhist statue standing before layered majestic green mountains.

Then transfer to Jiuhua Street, the core scenic area where most Buddhist temples locate. Take a cable car up to Longevity Palace, a Ming Dynasty (1368~1644) five-storey ancient Buddhist temple on a hilltop (elevation: 871m), which is most famed for consecrating the intact saint corporeal body of monk Haiyu who once spent over 20 years copying the Avatamsaka Sutra with his blood of tongue and gold powder here. Another must-see is the 500 life-like statues of Arhats in different gestures and looks in the Hall of Five Hundred Arhats, a unique sight that can only be seen in Mount Jiuhua. Then walk to the observation deck to view the undulating mountains of Flower Terrace Scenic Area perfectly forming a splendid view of a natural sleeping Buddha.

Later, take a cable car down to Jiuhua Street and continue to visit Huacheng Temple, the first and leading temple of Mount Jiuhua. The temple was built in Eastern Jin Dynasty more than 1,600 years ago and most existing buildings are from Qing Dynasty. Now the temple has been changed to the Jiuhuashan Museum of Historical Relics, exhibiting thousands of cultural treasures, like Buddhist sutras, ritual instruments, imperial decree, jade seal, ancient paintings and calligraphy.

Next, visit Incarnation Grand Hall where enshrines the flesh body of monk Kim Qiaojue who came to Mount Jiuhua to practice Buddhism. After 75-year assiduous practice with devout conviction, he died at the age of 99 in Mount Jihua in 794 AD. His remain keeps intact and unrotten after three years of his death, and he was very similar in appearance to Dizang Buddhisattva. Thus, he was sanctified as the sacred reincarnation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva by followers. Afterwards, get to Zhiyuan Temple, the largest Buddhist temple and the only palatial temple on Mount Jiuhua. Beyond the most complete architectures, the temple preserves the precious Tripitaka, the only official Tripitaka of Qing Dynasty, over 100 Buddha sculptures and huge cooper pots.

Stay overnight in Jiuhua Street on Mount Jiuhua.

Day 2 Mount Jiuhua Tour & Departure (B)

After breakfast, go to take a cable car to Heavenly Terrace Peak (Tiantai Peak, elevation: 1,306 meters), the main peak of Mount Jiuhua. An old saying goes “you never reach Mount Jiuhua without a visit to Heavenly Terrace Peak”. First, take a short hike to visit Ancient Lecture Temple, a small Tang Dynasty (618~907) temple siting on a steep hillside, where Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is said to once chant Avatamsaka Sutra.

Next, hike upward to visit Tiantai Temple on the summit, the highest temple of Mount Jiuhua that has been visited by Kim Qiaojue and many famous monks. Take your time to visit Wanfo Hall (Ten-Thousand Buddha Hall), Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Hall and Avalokitesvara Hall, trace footprints of master monks and absorb the strong Buddhist culture. Then walk about 15 minutes to Shiwang Peak (1344m) which is a wonderful location to catch a panoramic view of the breathtaking natural scenery of Mount Jiuhua, including thin mist floating among gently rolling hills, grotesque pine trees growing on monstrous rocks.

After that, hike about 2~3 hours along the beautiful trail full of towering peaks, fresh air, moist and lush trees to Flower Terrace. At there, you will walk the most highlighting Hanging Plank Road which is 1.4km long, and was constructed along the side of the mountain with high drop-offs and full of surprisingly beautiful landscape of rugged rock peaks and bizarre pine trees, then follow the well-paved stone steps to descend to the cable car station. Enjoy the 20-min pleasant cable car ride going over peak after peak to the mountain foot, then hop on a sightseeing bus to the tourist center. Your driver is ready to escort you to Jiuhuashan Airport or ChiZhou Railway Station to catch your flight/train to next destination. Tour ends.

Useful tips: 1) Recommended packing list: comfortable and breathable clothes, hiking shoes, alpenstock, sunblock, raincoat (May to Oct), small bag and some cashes. 2) Lunch is not provided today. You can bring some snacks and waters with you.

The quotation for this trip is from Request Per Person

1. This price is for one person, based on a group of 2 adults sharing one standard double-bed room in 4-star hotel and traveling with our private tour in low seasons.
2. This price is subject to change according your traveling season, group size, hotel class, change of activities in your itinerary and possible fluctuation of currency exchange rate. If you want a lower price, you can get more people to join you, or use economy class hotels.
3. This price is only valid to March 31, 2022.
4. Reference exchange rate of USD 1= RMB 6.45. The final quote is based on current exchange rate. It may change according to the currency fluctuation, while the RMB quotation will be remained the same.

How Our Teams Serve you at China Discovery

"Highest Standards of Quality and Honesty" is the core value of each specialized team at China Discovery.

Eveyone in our company is working hard for only one goal, which is to ensure the highest level of service, luxury, and attention to detail from the minute you begin planning your trip, to the day you return home.

Check What our Customers Say...

This feedback is for Vivien Li our travel agent at China Discovery has been long overdue. (Sorry for that Vivien). :

Vivien planned our first trip to the Silkroad in Summer 2021. Vivien has been a great support from the beginning to the end in organizing the whole trip and was always there to answer all my questions. Since we travelled with a small child she also put a lot of effort in our travel itineray and included the starting and end time for all our activities. This helped us a lot. It was the first time we had a guide with us and she found a great guide for us. We were really excited to start our Silkroad trip in August and it was a great trip. We enjoyed every minute. Unfortunately with few Covid cases coming up we had to return to Shanghai. During this time Vivien also was a big help in organizing a worryless trip back to Shanghai. With Vivien as our travel agent I know I have a reliable travel agent on my side I can fully trust.

I can fully recommend Vivien as your travel agent. Thanks a lot Vivien for your patience and your great service. Looking forward to our next trip to plan together. Tutty and Family

Tutty and Family

Tutty - 2021.10.18‚ German, October 18, 2021

Dear Tracy,

1. Yes, you are very efficient and accommodating to my needs. Tracy gets back to me very quickly, even when she is not officially at work. We communicate through WeChat. :

2. Arrangements are very efficient. Everything went as planned.

3. Yes, happily recommend you and have done so.

4. I have used the company twice for private tours and will do so again. Arrangements have been smooth and helpful. The two guides I have had have been excellent.

5. Keep searching out for more slightly off-beat tours. It’s helpful to try to avoid crowds; this is very difficult during Chinese holidays of course, but there is so much that is interesting that alternatives to some of the main sights can be probably be found at these times.

Geoffrey

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Geoffrey - 2021.10.11‚ UK, October 16, 2021

Dear Echo,

First of all we want to share with you that has been an amazing trip, one that we will not forget. We definitely loved it! Going into detail: :

• Guide: Gary was outstanding, he had a very positive attitude and he had never lost the smile although travelling with kids can be challenging. He was willing to help beyond his responsability, flexible when needed and passionate about his job. Simon, was a good guide and help us when asked for his support although it was a bit difficult to understand. The only thing that it could be improved was that when we went to Dunhuang for the private dinner in the desert, nobody spoke english there and Simon didn't come with us so it was a bit difficult in the beginning.

• Driver: He was good and drive very safely.

• Hotel: Generally speaking all the hotels were ok but the hotel in Dunhuang was not really what we understand as a 5 star hotel (breakfast was very chinese, no decent coffee, issue with the heating, no english,...). Hotel in Jiayuguan was very good although the rooms were a bit small. Hotel in Zhangye was very good, they had a lot of details (our family room was customize for kids, little presents every day in the room, dinner was very nice and they had the best coffee of the 3 hotels in the breakfast, they try to speak in english).

• Hotel: Generally speaking all the hotels were ok but the hotel in Dunhuang was not really what we understand as a 5 star hotel (breakfast was very chinese, no decent coffee, issue with the heating, no english,...). Hotel in Jiayuguan was very good although the rooms were a bit small. Hotel in Zhangye was very good, they had a lot of details (our family room was customize for kids, little presents every day in the room, dinner was very nice and they had the best coffee of the 3 hotels in the breakfast, they try to speak in english).

• Hotel: Generally speaking all the hotels were ok but the hotel in Dunhuang was not really what we understand as a 5 star hotel (breakfast was very chinese, no decent coffee, issue with the heating, no english,...). Hotel in Jiayuguan was very good although the rooms were a bit small. Hotel in Zhangye was very good, they had a lot of details (our family room was customize for kids, little presents every day in the room, dinner was very nice and they had the best coffee of the 3 hotels in the breakfast, they try to speak in english).

Cristina

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Cristina - 2021.10.11‚ Spain, October 11, 2021

Dear Vivien,

Please let me give you more detailed feedback on the Silk Road trip:

1) Driver in Xining was outstanding, very attentive and also supported for check-in etc. So definitely recommend for future. The driver for the second part was also very polite and a very calm driver.
2) Guides:
a. Shawo was very knowledgeable and could provide lots of information. Probably based on her professional background working in university.
b. Lisa was very passionate about her job and anyone who wants to know details about Chinese culture should go with her.
c. Andy was from my pov the least engaged guide. For logistics he organized everything well and no problems. For the cultural parts he could provide information, but I personally did not perceive him as too motivated or passionate about guiding. So for groups who just want the logistics done, he’s fine. He did share some personal insights on how Dunhuang changed from his childhood to now which was super interesting.
d. English level of all guides was soso.

3) The Badain desert was my personal highlight extremely impressive nature and really great Jeep drive through the desert! Our Jeep driver was the best, I would always recommend him again for further tours! Second highlight were the rainbow mountains both for sunset as well as sunrise in the morning. To make this happen, the Kaoshan tents are necessary as it is so close by walking distance.

4) The national geologic parks were also interesting ad the nature was different in different spots, a guide who has more geologic knowledge would have been desirable.

5) Mati Temple was way too crowded. Dunhuang desert was also very touristy and crowded, so not the scenery I would have wished for.

6) Hotels were very good standard, I was actually surprised of the level offered!!! In Jiayuguan a bit dirty, but overall good. I did not like the mongol yurt in the Badain desert though, if it is basic standard, I would have wished it to be less touristy, but it was yurts, yes, but all else was just mass tourism. Something I know now I just have to accept. I had hoped for a remote small local touch experience, which it definitely wasn’t. Also, there was a group partying with loud music and fireworks in the morning. So I would prefer a hotel (and I now learnt it even exists) in the desert as the local experience is not given anyways.

Norma

Norma - 2021.10.11‚ German, October 11, 2021

Echo,

My Experience was quite exciting and wonderful, the tourist guide (May and Cherry) had strong knowledge of every place, history and Culture. The drivers were on time and very respectful, the hotels were so beautiful and well located and the food was very delicious, I hope I can come back again, thank you very much for your service

Emilse

Emilse - 2021.10.11‚ Mexico, October 11, 2021

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