Four mountains, four bodhisattvas
Chinese Buddhism recognises four mountains as especially sacred, each associated with a bodhisattva and a quality the bodhisattva represents. The grouping became established over centuries and is not identical in every source, but the list below is the standard one. These China Buddhist sacred mountains are active pilgrimage places, with temples of different periods spread across forested slopes, and many were rebuilt in recent decades.
| Mountain | Province | Bodhisattva | Often associated with |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wutai Shan | Shanxi | Manjushri (Wenshu) | Wisdom |
| Emei Shan | Sichuan | Samantabhadra (Puxian) | Practice and vows |
| Putuo Shan | Zhejiang (island) | Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin) | Compassion |
| Jiuhua Shan | Anhui | Ksitigarbha (Dizang) | Aid to beings in hard realms |
Wutai Shan
Wutai, “Five Terrace Mountain”, is traditionally regarded as the home of Manjushri. Its temples date from various periods, and some of the oldest surviving timber halls in China are said to be located in the area, which is part of its reputation among architectural historians. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. The mountain also has a notable Tibetan Buddhist presence, with temples that reflect Chinese and Tibetan styles.
The five terraces surround a central valley, and the highest peaks are well above 3,000 metres. The area can be cold even in summer, and weather changes quickly.
Emei Shan
Emei Shan in Sichuan is traditionally associated with Samantabhadra, who is often shown on a white elephant. It is a UNESCO site recognised for both cultural and natural value, and it is known for rich vegetation and monkeys that approach visitors. Do not feed or tease the monkeys, and secure food and bags.
The top, the Golden Summit, is around 3,000 metres. Climbing involves long stretches of stone steps, and there are also cable cars and buses for part of the route. Altitude, mist, cold and slippery steps are real factors, so check current conditions, take care, and seek medical advice if you have health concerns.
Putuo Shan
Putuo Shan is a small island off the coast of Zhejiang, associated with Guanyin, the Chinese form of the compassionate bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. According to tradition, a Japanese monk carrying a Guanyin image was prevented from sailing home and left the image on the island, an origin story that is often retold but cannot be verified in detail. Pilgrims reach the island by ferry, and weather can interrupt sailings. Check current transport information.
Jiuhua Shan
Jiuhua Shan, “Nine Glorious Mountain”, is linked to Ksitigarbha, who in Chinese tradition is associated with vowing to help beings in difficult realms. The mountain is tied in tradition to a Korean prince-turned-monk, often called Jin Qiaojue, who is said to have lived there in the eighth century and is regarded by devotees as an incarnation of Ksitigarbha. Historians treat details with caution. Its temples are linked to funerary and ancestral devotion, and many visitors come to offer prayers for their family.
The White Horse Temple
Away from the mountains, the White Horse Temple stands east of Luoyang in Henan. Tradition holds that it was founded around 68 CE under Emperor Ming of Han, after envoys returned from the west with monks and texts carried by white horses. It is therefore popularly called the first Buddhist temple in China, although the historical details of this origin are hard to confirm, and the buildings visible today are mainly of later dates. Within the complex there are also temples built in the styles of other Buddhist countries, such as India, Thailand and Myanmar, which reflect modern international contact. Its location near the Longmen Grottoes makes the two a natural pairing for a Luoyang visit.
Other significant temples
Many other sites deserve mention: Shaolin on Mount Song, associated with Chan; Famen Temple in Shaanxi, known for a finger-bone relic traditionally attributed to the Buddha; and temples in Beijing, Hangzhou and Xi’an. A full list would be long, and each region has its own character.
Visiting respectfully and safely
These are working religious sites, but also very popular tourist destinations, which can mean crowds, ticketing and commercial stalls, especially during national holidays. Dress modestly, remove hats inside halls, avoid pointing your feet toward images, and ask before photographing monastic communities or worshippers. Walk around stupas and pagodas clockwise if others are doing so, and follow local guidance. Do not touch monks or nuns, or sacred objects.
Physical preparation matters. Stair climbs of hundreds or thousands of steps are common, and weather on high peaks can be cold, wet or foggy. Awareness of altitude sickness is sensible above roughly 2,500 metres, and anyone with heart, lung or mobility concerns should get medical advice first. Monsoon travel considerations apply in some regions in summer, when heavy rain can make steps slippery.
Opening times, entry fees, cable-car operation and booking systems change, so check current official sources before travelling. This article offers general information only, and outcomes and conditions are uncertain.