Zhejiang Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area offers free admission based on the Chinese zodiac!

Everyone is familiar with the Chinese zodiac, which is a classification scheme based on the lunar calendar that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating 12-year cycle. The 12 animals are the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig. The 12 animals are also the personification of the 12 Earthly Branches, namely Zi (rat), Chou (ox), Yin (tiger), Mao (rabbit), Chen (dragon), Si (snake), Wu (horse), Wei (goat), Shen (monkey), You (rooster), Xu (dog), and Hai (pig). Therefore, the Chinese zodiac is not only a mascot of the Lunar New Year, but also a symbol of entertainment and cultural activities! So, are there any attractions related to the Chinese zodiac? Uncle Cricket thought about it and came up with a scenic spot in Zhejiang that offers free admission based on the Chinese zodiac until March 31, 2025. Come and visit! The scenic spot is Zhejiang Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area. From now until March 31, 2025, visitors born in the year of the snake, pig, tiger, monkey, or dragon can enjoy free admission to the scenic area with a valid ID (other fees such as transportation in the scenic area are not included). At this point, many people may wonder if Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area is related to Journey to the West. Actually, it has nothing to do with Journey to the West. The Doushuai Palace in Journey to the West is the residence of the Supreme Lord Laozi, while Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area is the main site of Maitreya, the future Buddha. The scenic area is divided into three parts from bottom to top: Daxianglin, Longhua Temple, and Doushuaitian Palace. Daxianglin is a place where you can enjoy cherry blossoms in spring, sunflowers in summer, osmanthus in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter. The fragrance of flowers is continuous throughout the year, and the air is fresh and pleasant. Longhua Temple is built on the mountain, with layers of eaves and painted beams, and is magnificent. Doushuaitian Palace is planned according to the three Maitreya sutras and consists of three parts: the Seven Treasures Wall, the Inner Court of Doushuaitian, and the Purple Gold Lotus. The Seven Treasures Wall is carved with images of heavenly arhats, bodhisattvas, and Buddhas, stretching over 4,000 meters, which is truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship. In addition, there is a 33-meter-high statue of Maitreya with a heavenly crown! For first-time visitors, you can follow the route below: Doushuaitian Scenic Area Visitor Center ➡️ Longhua Temple Mountain Gate Square ➡️ Hall of Heavenly Kings ➡️ Mahavira Hall ➡️ Reclining Buddha Hall ➡️ Longhua Pavilion ➡️ Longhua Temple North Gate ➡️ Heavenly Palace ➡️ Worship Area ➡️ Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion ➡️ Hall of Heavenly Kings ➡️ Longhua Temple Mountain Gate Square ➡️ Doushuaitian Scenic Area Visitor Center ➡️ Daxianglin [optional]. The whole journey takes about 3–4 hours, which is easy and not tiring, and focuses on an immersive pilgrimage experience! It is recommended to buy a round-trip ticket for the transportation between the visitor center and Longhua Temple, which costs CNY 25 [free tickets are required]. Although there are many people, you don't have to wait long. The one-way trip takes about 25 minutes, and the mountain road is winding, so be prepared for motion sickness. There are two dining places, one on the second floor of Longhua Temple, with dining hours from 11:00 to 13:30, and the other on the first floor of the Heavenly Palace, with dining hours from 10:30 to 13:00. After a tour, Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area is worth visiting, with its stunning scenery and giant Buddha, which can be called the real-life "Cloud Top Palace" in Zhejiang. Whether outside or inside the Heavenly Palace, the scenery is truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with layers of eaves and painted beams, and is magnificent! It is recommended to wear sneakers, bring your own water and snacks, prepare for sun protection, or bring some instant food (such as cakes, bread, braised meat, fruit, etc.) to make your visit more comfortable! Practical information about Zhejiang Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area: The ticket price is CNY 100 [CNY 90 if purchased online in advance], and the opening hours are from 08:30 to 16:30. It is located on Xianglin Avenue, Hutang Street, Keqiao District, Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province. You can take Shaoxing Metro Line 1 to Mingzhu Square Station, transfer to Bus 812, and get off at Lingxia Bus Station. It is recommended to drive or take a chartered tour. What do you think? Are you interested in Zhejiang Kuaiji Mountain Doushuaitian Scenic Area? Feel free to leave a comment and discuss!