100 Ways of Hiking in China: Sacred Mountains

#100waysoftravel Nine Sacred mountains in China are considered spiritual symbols, and five of them are revered by adherents of Taoism and four by Buddhism. Both groups of mountains have been places of mass pilgrimage for believers since ancient times, the very word "pilgrimage" in Chinese is formed by the expression "to pay homage to the sacred mountain." In the Middle Kingdom, each mountain has its own characteristics, but the sacred mountains are most revered among the population. They are so called for the reason that they are closely associated with Buddhism and Taoism. Thousands of people come to these parts for pilgrimage. There are many temples and monasteries in the sacred mountains, and their history is entwined with legends. Many people go to the mountains of China for healing or confession. The inhabitants of the Celestial Empire believe that on the mountain slopes you can completely merge with nature, feel its incredible power. Taishan (Tài shān) 泰山 is one of the most important Taoist mountains. The Chinese believe that on the peak, which is located in Shandong province, there is a place where the gods live, so they come here to heal from various diseases. Huashan (Huang Shān) is another sacred mountain, which is famous for its danger and incredible beauty. There are a huge number of temples and monasteries on the peak located in Shaanxi Province. Hengshan is a Taoist sacred mountain in Hunan Province, which amazes with landscapes and unique nature. Songshan (Sōngshān) 嵩山 is a Chinese Taoist sacred mountain. The Shaolin Monastery is located on it, it is known all over the world. Buddhist sacred mountains are not inferior in fame, history and beauty: Emeishan occupies a special place among Buddhist mountains, as the first Buddhist temple was built in this mountain range. The rocks were formed by the solidification of lava on the surface of the Earth, which erupted from a volcano. They are located in Sichuan province. Wutaishan has a rich and interesting history, so it annually gathers not only Buddhists, but also tourists from all over the world. There is a mountain in Xinzhou County. Putoshan is a mountain that occupies an entire island. Now it is one of the tourist centers of China. The peaks located in Zhejiang Province can only be reached by water transport. Jiuhuashan is one of the most beautiful Buddhist mountains. Amazing landscapes enchant with their beauty and uniqueness.