Tiantai County

Things to do in Tiantai County

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Tiantai County

View all Attractions
Guoqing Scenic Area
Selected for Best Things to Do in Taizhou

Guoqing Scenic Area

6.5
4.8/5
731 reviews

The Guoqing scenic area is located at the southern foot of Tiantai Mountain, surrounded by five peaks and flanked by two winding streams. It is the birthplace of the Tiantai school, a major Buddhist sect in China, and serves as the ancestral temple for Tiantai Buddhism in Korea, Japan, and around the world. The Guoqing scenic area was constructed in 598 AD during the Sui Dynasty under the supervision of Sima Wang Hong, based on the blueprint personally drawn by Master Zhiyi. The initial temple complex, named "Tiantai Temple," was completed in 601 AD. In 605 AD, Emperor Yang of Sui renamed it "Guoqing Temple" after a prophecy came true, personally inscribing the temple's name in seal script. During the Tang Dynasty, it was renowned as one of the "Four Great Temples of China," alongside Lingyan Temple in Qizhou, Qixia Temple in Runzhou, and Yuquan Temple in Jingzhou. Rebuilt in 851 AD, calligrapher Liu Gongquan wrote the plaque "Great China Guoqing Temple." In 1005 AD, Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty funded major renovations and renamed it "Jingde Guoqing Temple." In 1130 AD, it was converted to a Chan (Zen) Buddhist temple and became one of the "Five Mountains and Ten Temples" of Chan Buddhism. The current main structures date back to the 1734 renovation during the Qing Dynasty. During the Cultural Revolution, the temple's statues and ritual objects suffered severe damage. In 1973, the State Council allocated significant funds for comprehensive restoration, reopening it to the public. Covering 72,000 square meters with a built-up area of 28,000 square meters, the temple complex features five main axes, comprising over 800 halls and rooms in a grand architectural layout. It is now listed as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Tiantai County · 4.8 km from downtown
Former Residence of Jigong
No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Tiantai Mountain

Former Residence of Jigong

5.2
4.3/5
584 reviews

The Former Residence of Jigong is located at Shitangtou, Yongning Village, outside the north gate of Tiantai Ancient City in Zhejiang. It is the place of birth of Jigong, the "Living Buddha," and an attraction in the historic and cultural city of Zhejiang. The attraction consists of three main parts: the Shuangpailou and Guanxia Pavilion at the entrance of Yongning Village, the ancestral home of the Li family of Jigong, and Longxi Garden. The residence seen today was later reconstructed, presenting a scroll-like picture filled with the ambiance of the Southern Song Dynasty, embodying the architectural style of eastern Zhejiang and the layout of a scholar-official's residence. The Former Residence of Jigong is a "three-section nine-hall" architectural complex from the Southern Song Dynasty in eastern Zhejiang, serving as the birthplace and childhood home of Jigong. The residence features halls, bedrooms, a study, a Buddhist shrine, and an ancestral hall. The antique furniture, portraits, images, and materials related to Jigong's life and research on display recreate the living environment of the Former Residence of Jigong during the Southern Song Dynasty, offering deeper insights into the historical figure. Longxi Garden, the private garden of the Former Residence of Jigong, includes a pond, waterside pavilion, Moon Fishing Pavilion, Drunken Immortal Tower, winding corridors, and Jigong's herbal medicine shop. The garden's Jigong Buddhist Hall houses a standing jade statue of Jigong, with a nanmu wood carving of 500 arhats as the backdrop.

Tiantai County · 2.8 km from downtown

Traveller favourites curated for you

Experiences you can't miss in Tiantai County

Featured Culture & history in Tiantai County

View all Culture & history
China railway tour: Shanghai/Hangzhou departure South Great Wall 1-day tour [high-speed rail + city wall + Donghu Park]
󱌍
FromMYR 1,018.80
Private Day Tour from Hangzhou to Hengdian World Studios: Charter Car + Tickets - Travel Back to Ancient Dynasties
󱌍
FromMYR 325.34
Hangzhou - Hengdian: Hengdian world studios + Ming and Qing palace + Riverside scene at Qingming festival | Customize private car
󱌍
FromMYR 1,640.93
Inside Yiwu: The World's Largest Small Commodity Market — Global Trade & High-Speed Rail Experience
󱌍
Duration: 10.6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMYR 363.26

Featured Day tours in Tiantai County

View all Day tours
From Wenzhou: 1-day tour to Yandang Mountain [Private Charter | Bilingual Guide]
󱌍
FromMYR 1,657.11
[Private chartered tour from Ningbo] Tengtou attraction + Xuedou Mountain | Classic private sightseeing tour
󱌍
FromMYR 1,339.79
[China railway tour] Shanghai/Hangzhou - Yiwu high-speed rail round-trip 1-day tour: 1-day shopping spree
󱌍
Duration: 12.3 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
FromMYR 605.22

Featured Food & drink in Tiantai County

View all Food & drink
Ningbo Yanwaiyan • Immersive imperial feast (red chamber live performance + Ningbo-style specialty banquet + featured dining show)
󱌍
FromMYR 221.35
Ningbo Yanwaiyan • Red chamber immersive performance dining show (century-old mansion + live performance + themed banquet)
󱌍
FromMYR 221.35

More things to do

Private Tours in Tiantai County

View More Private Tours in Tiantai County
Tiantai County Today's weatherLight rain 14-19℃
Tiantai County weather for the next 2 days11/7: 15-20℃, 11/8: 14-22℃

Free things to do in Tiantai County

What travellers say about Tiantai County

user-avatar
Anonymous userNovember 1, 2026
4.0
I bought a package ticket for 160 yuan. Entering from the Tiantaishan Waterfall Visitor Center, you can climb the main waterfall directly to your right. To your left is a free shuttle bus to Qiongtan Fairy Valley. From Qiongtan Fairy Valley, you can take an elevator directly to Huixian Bridge for 30 yuan. Returning to the visitor center from Qiongtan Fairy Valley requires a 10 yuan shuttle bus ticket. Overall, the scenery is decent. The main waterfall is even better; the water volume is enormous, and the drop is significant, making it quite spectacular.

Tiantai Mountain

user-avatar
某某公子October 17, 2026
5.0
This waterfall, with its relatively large drop, is quite rare and worth seeing. The mist spraying from below is very refreshing, and the thunderous sound is quite impressive. Don't miss the boardwalk along the mountain behind the waterfall area.

Tiantai Mountain Waterfall Scenic Area

user-avatar
行走毛毛November 3, 2026
4.0
Many people think that Guoqing Temple is just a temple, but that's not the case. The Guoqing Scenic Area represents not only a temple, but also a mountain, and many mountains at that. So when you come here, you must take a good look around. I hiked around the mountains for a long time.

Guoqing Scenic Area

user-avatar
Anonymous userOctober 24, 2026
5.0
It's definitely worth a visit. I recommend going counter-clockwise. First, take a taxi to the upper entrance; it's basically all downhill from there, which is great for those with average heart and lung capacity. Otherwise, you'll have to climb up steps like the one in picture four, with hardly any flat sections. Once you reach the bottom, you'll see a beautiful lake and can also visit the waterfall, which involves a short climb and isn't tiring. Then you can head back down.

Qiongtai Terrace & Gorge

user-avatar
Julia J. DezottiJuly 20, 2026
5.0
Guoqing Temple is a must-visit in Zhejiang Province! If you are into Buddhist culture, you should consider visiting. This temple has a tremendous peace and deep history of over 1400 years. The temple area requires not more than an hour to explore.

Guoqing Temple

user-avatar
Anonymous userNovember 2, 2026
5.0
Much more fun than the main waterfall! The area is much less crowded. We hired a car to enter from the old entrance and walked downhill, enjoying the serene scenery of the waterfall slowly unfolding. At Fangguang Temple, there was a large orange cat with four kittens who weren't afraid of people, a pleasant surprise for the children. With few people, the scenery was very tranquil, making the walk quite enjoyable. Upon reaching the new entrance, we asked our driver to pick us up; it wasn't tiring at all. This route is highly recommended, especially for tourists who don't enjoy hiking.

Shiliang Waterfall

user-avatar
traveltangFebruary 24, 2026
5.0
The layout of the three courtyards and nine halls is very clear. It comprises a former residence, temple, garden, and pavilions, forming a scenic spot. The plum blossoms were beautiful, their petals falling onto the lake surface, creating a unique scene. I also gained a comprehensive understanding of Ji Gong's life.

Former Residence of Jigong

user-avatar
Anonymous userSeptember 29, 2026
5.0
Take the free shuttle bus from the visitor center to the lower entrance of Qiongtan Xiangu Valley. Walk for about half an hour to reach the elevator entrance. The path is scenic with few steps and mostly flat. Take the highest elevator in East China for 30 seconds to reach the summit.

Jiongtai Sky Bridge

user-avatar
@顺俪(慈利)May 3, 2026
5.0
Very clean! Arrived before the holiday. The crowds in the old street dispersed around 9 PM. There's a takoyaki (octopus balls) vendor nearby; the price wasn't higher just because it's in the old street—6 for 10 yuan. There's also a Jiang Ji night-time steamed bun shop nearby, which is also good. However, there's road construction near the old street, making travel inconvenient. Also, the rooftop bus is free!

Zhexi Old Street

user-avatar
_We***52May 3, 2026
4.0
I came on May 3rd, having escaped the overcrowded Guoqing Temple. The scenic area wasn't too crowded, allowing for a leisurely stroll and appreciation of the scenery. However, it's easy to get lost and stray onto hiking trails, which become increasingly dangerous. There weren't many azaleas, but the winding mountain road leading to the scenic area was more interesting. Experienced drivers who enjoy driving on mountain roads should definitely check it out.

Huading National Forest Park

Trip Moments in Tiantai County

Popular cities near Tiantai County

Frequently asked questions

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include From Wenzhou: 1-day tour to Yandang Mountain [Private Charter | Bilingual Guide], [Private chartered tour from Ningbo] Tengtou attraction + Xuedou Mountain | Classic private sightseeing tour, and Private charter pure play - Hangzhou Shaoxing Orchid Pavilion + Lu Xun Native Place 1-day tour with pickup&dropoff service and Chinese/English-speaking guide. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 6, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Tiantai County is around MYR 393.11 – MYR 1,657.11. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.