Niushou Mountain & Usnisa Palace
牛首山
A famous Buddhist mountain south of the city. The modern Usnisa Palace enshrines a relic of the Buddha's skull, and its underground hall has a dome of dazzling gold.
Niushou Mountain takes its name from its twin peaks, which resemble a bull's horns. It is the birthplace of Niutou Chan (Ox Head Zen), and the saying goes, 'Niushou in spring, Qixia in autumn.' Completed in 2015, the Usnisa Palace is shaped like a Buddhist lotus throne. The underground Hall of a Thousand Buddhas, with its dome, and the Relic Hall are spectacular and enshrine the Buddha's skull relic. The complex also includes Foding Temple, Hongjue Temple Pagoda and Zheng He's tomb. Admission is about CNY 98. The park is large, so a sightseeing shuttle is needed, and a half day is recommended. From Foshengxi Road station on Metro Line S1, it is about 20 minutes by bus or taxi.
Opening hours
08:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Yuhuatai Martyrs' Cemetery
- Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge
- Chenguang 1865 Creative Park (Jinling Arsenal)
- Porcelain Tower & Da Bao'en Temple Heritage Park
- Zhonghua Gate
- Laomendong Historic District
- Yu Garden (Hu Family Garden)
- Xiaoxihu Historic Block