Jiuhuashan Mountain Travel Guide

Mt. Jiuhuashan, is located at Qingyang County Chizhou city of Anhui province in China, covering an area of 120 square kilometers. Bordered on the north bank of Yangtze River and south of picturesque Mt. Huangshan, Mt. Jiuhuashan is a famous scenic spot and summer resort. Meanwhile, Mt. Jiuhuashan is a bodhimanda of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, being one of the four holy Mountains of Buddhism in China equal to Mt. Wutai, Mt. Putuo and Mt. Emei.  
Mt. Jiuhuashan is an offset of a Yellow mountain range, boasting 99 peaks and 18 scenic spots in its area; among then, more than 20 peaks are in altitude of over 1,000 meters height. The most famous one are Shiwang peak (1342 meters), Wixia peak (1337 meters) and Tiantai peak (1306 meters).
The mountain was called as Lingyang Mountain and Jiuzi Mountain (nine peaks, mountain) in ancient time. In Tang Dynasty, a famous poet Li Bai (701-762) visited in the mountain and was intoxicated with the fascinating scenery of night lotuses-shape peaks upon green river. He described the landscape in his poem. Then the mountain was famous as Mt. Jiuhuashan meaning of nine lotuses in mountain. In Qing Dynasty, Emperor Qianlong complimented Mt. Jiuhuashan as “First Mountain in southeast China” and given a royal gold plaque for commemorate.
As a main Buddhism sit, Mt. Jiuhuashan boasts in exquisite architecture and grand structure of temples complex which are most in history of about four hundred years built in since Tang Dynasty and reconstructed in Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Jiuhuashan Street is the main block in Mt Jiuhuashan, surrounding by temples and other Buddhist buildings including Huacheng Temple, Zhiyuan Temple, Incarnation Hall, Zhantanlin Temple, Longevity Hall, Ganlu Temple and Tiantai Zhending Temple.
Huacheng Temple is located in the center of Jiuhua Street. The temple was a small hut in Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) and constructed as a grand temple named in Huacheng Temple in Tang Dynasty(618—907). “Huacheng” is originated from Lotus Sutra. One day, Buddha and his little apprentice went to countryside to preach, but obstructed by mountain. The little apprentice is too hungry and thirsty to go on. Buddha pointed in the front and said to his apprentice, there was a city, go on alms quickly. Then the little apprentice was raised with force and spirit. Thus, “Huacheng” means enlighten through a city.
Huacheng temple is the holiest temple on Mt. Jiuhuashan, situated on the foot of Lotus Hill in Jiuhua Street. There is a cycloidal square in front of temple with a “Niangniang tower”(Empress tower) and a Crescent-shaped Lake in the middle square. Huacheng temple is including four main parts including the gate hall in front, the Main Shrine Hall in middle, backyard and depository of Buddhist Sutras. The construction is simple but solemn decorated in exquisite engraving and patterns which are bright and vivid through hundreds years. Huacheng temple collects various precious sutras and other cultural relics which are exhibited in the Historical Relics Museum including the valuable Buddhist canonical literature in Tang Dynasty and Tripitaka left from the Ming Dynasty.

Best season for visiting Mt. Jiuhuashan
Due to its special geography, there is fog in Jiuhuashan in most day of year, especially in spring and autumn. Thus, spring and autumn are the best time for watch Sea of Clouds Mt. Jiuhuashan.

Tips：
Mt. Jiuhuashan is a holy site where Buddhists assemble. When in Rome, please do as the Romans do. Please respect the religion of Buddha here. Master and monk first for walking; entering temple in right or left door; handshaking, hugging is impolite; please do not ask any personal issue of monks. Visiting in Mt. Jiuhuashan, you would need to wear suitable shoes and clothes.
Anyway, please follow advices your tour guide made. Thank you!