Mt. Jiuhua

Mt. Jiuhua, also Jiuhuashan in Chinese, covers an area of 100 square kilometers (39 square miles) southwest of Qingyang County, Huangshan City, not far from the picturesque Huangshan Mountai n. It boasts 99 peaks and 18 scenic spots in its area. With its marvelous landscape and pleasant climate, it is considered one of the best summer resorts in China. In addition to its popularity as a tourist destination, it is a holy site where Buddhists assemble– it has been established as one of the four sacred Buddhist shrines, along with Mt. Wutai in Shanxi, Mt. Emei in Sichuan, and Mt. Putuo in Zhejiang.

According to historical records, Buddhism was first introduced to Mt. Jiuhua in the year 401. In 719, a Korean monk named Jin Qiaojue arrived and practiced Buddhism here for 75 years. Upon his Nirvana in 794, Jin Qiaojue was respected as the Earth Buddha by the locals, hence it has become the place where religious rituals were held to worship the God of Earth.