A Practical Guide to Visiting the Buddhist Holy Sites in Western Yunnan

1. Geographical location and altitude Jizu Mountain is located in Binchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is one of the five famous mountains of Chinese Buddhism (it is said to be the place of practice of Venerable Kasyapa), and is known as the "Lingshan Buddhist Capital". Its main peak, Tianzhu Peak, is 3,320 meters above sea level and is named after its shape which resembles a chicken's foot. The climate in the mountains is changeable, with cool summers and occasional snow in winter. Climbing to the top, you can overlook Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, and see Yulong Snow Mountain in the distance. The sunrise over the sea of ​​clouds is particularly spectacular. 2. Ticket Information · Scenic spot tickets: Full ticket price: 55 yuan/person (off-season: November to March of the following year), 80 yuan/person (peak season: April to October). Discounted tickets: Students and senior citizens aged 60-70 can enjoy half-price tickets with valid ID; senior citizens aged 70 and above, military personnel and the disabled can enjoy free tickets. · Other expenses: · Sightseeing bus: 15 yuan one way, remember it is divided into 4 sections, each section must be purchased separately. Cableway: 75 yuan round trip (45 yuan for up and 30 yuan for down) to reach the vicinity of Jinding Temple. 3. Transportation Guide 1. External Transportation · From Dali: · Take a bus from Dali East Bus Station (Xiaguan) to Binchuan County (about 1.5 hours, fare 20 yuan), then transfer to the scenic area special bus (30 minutes, 10 yuan); · Dali Ancient City Tourist Direct Bus: There is a tourist special bus to Jizu Mountain in peak season (about 2 hours, fare 40 yuan) · Didi has a direct city bus for 19 yuan per person, which is very cost-effective and can go to Dali Railway Station and the ancient city. Self-driving: Start from Dali Ancient Town, follow the Daxi Line to Niusha Highway, the whole journey is about 90 kilometers. There are many bends on the mountain road, so drive carefully. The parking lot in the scenic area charges 10-20 yuan/day. 2. Internal transportation · Hiking: It takes about 3-4 hours from the mountain gate to the Golden Summit, passing through ancient temples such as Zhusheng Temple, Huideng Temple, and Jiaye Hall along the way. It is suitable for those with plenty of physical strength. Sightseeing car + cableway: Save time and effort, the whole journey takes about 1.5 hours to reach the top of the mountain, recommended for tourists with tight schedule. IV. Recommended tour routes 1. Classic one-day tour: Mountain Gate→Sightseeing bus to Zhusheng Temple→Hike/horseback to the cable car station→Take the cable car to Tianzhu Peak→Jinding Temple (watch the sunrise and sea of ​​clouds)→Huashou Gate (where the Venerable Kasyapa entered into meditation)→Go down the mountain and return. 5. Must-see attractions · Jinding Temple: 3,248 meters above sea level. The Lengyan Pagoda in the temple is the symbol of Jizu Mountain. You can ring the bell to pray. Huashou Gate: The natural rock wall resembles a Buddhist gate. It is said to be the place where Kasyapa entered into meditation while guarding his clothes. It is also the center of Buddhist pilgrimage. Zhusheng Temple: The largest Zen temple in the mountain. Master Xuyun once preached here. It has towering ancient trees and is a popular place for worshippers. VI. Notes 1. The altitude is high and some sections are steep. It is recommended to bring a windproof jacket, comfortable hiking shoes and sunscreen. 2. Respect Buddhist etiquette, dress appropriately when entering a temple, and do not make loud noises. 3. The temperature on the top of the mountain is relatively low, averaging 15-20℃ in summer, so you need to prepare a down jacket in winter. 4. The monkeys in the mountains are very active. Do not feed or tease them at will, and keep your belongings safe. VII. Travel Tips · Best seasons: Spring and autumn (Azaleas bloom from March to May, and the autumn colors are intoxicating from September to November). Accommodation suggestions: There are vegetarian restaurants around Zhusheng Temple on the mountainside (20 yuan/person), and the mountaintop inn provides simple meals. It is recommended to bring your own dry food. Cultural experience: The first to fifteenth day of the first lunar month is the Chaoshan Festival, where you can experience traditional rituals and folk activities. #2月好地方2025