五台山 Wu Tai Shan, China

Wu Tai Shan 五台山 is located at China, Shan Xi's North-east region and is popular as a Buddhist pilgrimage place as it is believed to be where Manjushri Bodhisattva 文殊师利菩萨 had appeared and gave Dharma Teachings.
The mountain derives its name because of its platform shape at the 5 mountain peaks: 5山峰: 东台望海峰、西台挂月峰、南台锦绣峰、北台叶斗峰和中台翠岩峰.  
The altitude of the mountain ranges from 624 to 3061 metre and the area is always with cool climate of averaging 10 degree celsius even during hot summer in the country and hence it is also known as the "Cool mountain" 清凉山. 

Our mission is to visit all the five peaks/platforms of Wu Tai Shan while the weather is still good.
We have to travel via jeeps to access the 5 peaks.
Our first place of visit is the Central Platform:  中台顶翠岩峰的孺童文殊

 Manjushri Shrine is a must in Wu Tai Shan

Tibetan theme in the temple~ 演教寺

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Next is the West Platform: 西台顶挂月峰的狮子吼文殊

Much of the temple premises of   法雷寺 are still under reconstruction when we were there.
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Along the journey, we passed by a majestic Million Buddha Pagoda built in the Ming Dynasty (1604)

Oh! And The Western 3 Saints Shrine at the side! Amituofo! 

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Next to the South Platform: 南台顶锦绣峰的智慧文殊

Stupa at Rooftop area with beautiful scenaries of mountains & flags

Serene temple premises of 普济禅寺

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Next to North platform: 北台顶叶斗峰的无垢文殊

Here was much more foggy and windy that we really have to be full geared with our winter clothing and the experience of trying to get some warmth from the ashes of incense holders. Really warm!

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Finally to the East Platform: 东台顶望海峰的聪明文殊

Another majestic temple premises ~  望海寺 ,like a castle and with completion of our mission, we return to the mountain base. :-)

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At the base of the Wu Tai Shan mountain, there are many temples and for those who did not have the chance to visit and pay respect to Manjushri Bodhisattva at any of the 5 peaks just like the Emperor QianLong who did not managed to complete the mission of visiting all the 5 peaks probably due to weather and no convenience of Jeep and development of the routes then, they could visit 小朝台~黛螺顶 (大螺顶 Da Luo Ding) .

It is legend that at demand of Emperor QianLong of Qing Dynasty that he wishes to complete the mission to pay respect to all the Manjushri Bodhisattva of the 5 peaks at his next visit to WuTaiShan after number of failed attempts, the 5 Direction Manjushri Hall that hosts similar statutes of the Manjushri Bodhisattva of the 5 peaks was built at Da Luo Ding.

One could choose to walk or expedite by taking the open concept cable car to reach the temple (400m). One could take a good glimpse of the surrounding along the way.

The 5 Direction Manjushri Hall

 旃檀殿 (ZhanTan Hall) with majestic stature of standing Buddha and nice paintings

One could be considered to have made a minute respect to the Manjushri Bodhisattva of the 5 peaks 小朝台 with visit of this temple.

Good reference found:http://baike.so.com/doc/5591336.html

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Next not to miss is 菩萨顶  (PusaDing), the largest Tibetan temple over at Wu Tai Shan with palace architectural structure.

 Writings by the Qing Emperor Kangxi for the temple

 108 steps symbolising 108 Afflictions overcomed by successfully climbing the stairs.

The Great White Pagoda (大白塔), the icon landmark of Wu Tai Shan, believed to contain relics of the Shakyamuni  Buddha can be seen.

 Surrounding scenery from the temple

Good reference found: http://baike.so.com/doc/5903241.html
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There are many more nice temples visited at Wu Tai Shan that are not mentioned in this post and many more not visited. It may take more than weeks/months to visit all the big and small temples at the mountain. Along the journey, we can see there are a number of constructions/renovations of temples going on. The time spent at each temple was also short as we tried to cover most of the popular temples in the 2 days spent there so we may not have time to really appreciate the gems.

Free shuttle bus to temples are available for free & easy tourists visit around Wu Tai Shan and this is much appreciated. One is advised to plan to spend more time here, say a week? to really enjoy the tour at a relaxed pace.
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On way down from Wu Tai Shan mountain region, we visited another 2 ancient Temples of Tang Dynasty Building Structure.
One of which is Fo Guang temple (佛光寺) located at 山西省五台县的佛光新村 which our accompanying Venerable is so touched by the serenity there and his love for the ancient art and building structure that he would have opted to stay there if there is a position opening except that the temple harbours no Sangha but just caretakers from local government.
Built around 477-491 A.D. during the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of Northern Wei Period, it was destroyed but subsequently rebuilt during the Tang Dynasty.

In the summer, the area is still cool & misty.
To protect the ancient art, the doors of the halls are generally closed except when there are visitors.

Museum of miniatures

An interesting feature is the steep steps (almost 80 degrees steep) leading to the main hall also known as the East Main Hall of Tang Dynasty building structure, that we have to be careful to ensure safety. 

Zhushi Pagoda believed to be built during the period of Northern Wei.

Behind the temple is special rocks with structures of folds, faults and kink-bands that is amazing.

For more history on the temple, one may refer to:
http://www.tydao.com/2009/91105/js91105fuoguang.htm
http://www.tydao.com/sxsen/wutai/simiao/fuoguan.htm
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Next is Nanchan temple (南禅寺) at 山西省五台县西南的李家庄.
Believed to be rebuilt around 782 AD of Tang Dynasty, it is the oldest Tang Dynasty Wood Structure building in China & Asia.

While on way to the temple, the cave homes around the region caught my attention. See the door (green) & window holes at the hillside from the picture? Interesting ...

For more info on Nanchan temple,  one may refer to:
http://www.tydao.com/sxsen/wutai/simiao/nancan.htm

Leaving Wu Tai Shan region, we move on to Er Mei Shan. :-)