Baisui Palace
百岁宫
Baisui Palace is built on the cliffs of Mokong Ridge and enshrines the mummified body of the Ming monk Wuxia. Visitors can ride a cable car up and down, and enjoy views over Jiuhua Street.
Baisui Palace was originally called Zhaixing Hermitage. It stands on Mokong Ridge, east of Jiuhua Street, at an altitude of about 870 m, and is a national key temple in the Han Chinese region. The Ming monk Wuxia practiced asceticism here for more than a century. He wrote the Flower Garland Sutra in his own blood, having bitten his tongue to draw it. After his death, his body did not decay, and the Chongzhen Emperor conferred on him the title “Manifestation Bodhisattva.” The temple takes its name, Baisui (“Hundred Years”), from this legend, and his gilded body is still enshrined inside.
The temple is built into the cliff and looks like a fortress from the outside. Its five-story pavilions blend into the mountain, creating a distinctive architectural style. The platform in front offers a view over the entire Jiuhua Street and the surrounding peaks, making it an excellent spot for panoramic photos.
You can go up by the Baisui cable car, which takes a few minutes, or walk up the stone steps in about 40 minutes. Trails also connect to East Cliff and Huixiang Pavilion. For the best experience, ride the cable car up and walk down. The whole visit takes about 1.5 hours. Admission is included in the mountain entry ticket, but the cable car costs extra.
Opening hours
Approx. 07:00-17:30
Nearby sights
- Zhiyuan Temple
- Dongya Chan Temple
- Jiuhua Street
- Huacheng Temple
- Tonghui Chanlin Nunnery
- Zhantan Chan Monastery
- Shangchantang Temple
- Roushen Hall (Yueshen Hall)