Other Scenic Spots in Mid-elevation Area

Pavilion of Tablet with Ryokan’s Poems: Situated beside Qingyin Bridge, it is a Japanese style pavilion, with a 5 m high 5-column and 5-angle pavilion which looks like a thatched cottage as the main building. The pavilion is a testimony of friendship between Chinese and Japanese people from generation to generation as well as an argument against war.

Jiewang Pavilion (King-Receiving Pavilion)

Constructed in the beginning of Ming Dynasty, it got the name because monks welcomed and received Zhu Chun (King of Shu State). In 1702, monks received four imperial commissioners here. Current Jiewang Pavilion was rebuilt after liberation as the previous one was worn down by the years without repair, and it is much larger than the previous one.

Black River and White River Washing Ox Heart Rock

There is a basalt like the cattle’s heart beneath the Ox Heart Pavilion. On the right side is Black River, also called Black Dragon River as the water looks dark; on the left side is White River, also called White Dragon River as the water is white. The two rivers convergebeneath the Cattle Heart Pavilion and flow around the Cattle Heart Rock in the pool. The water laps against the rock and splashes about, sounding as melodious as the sound of Guqin (a traditional seven-stringed plucked instrument in China). The splash flies in the air like snow and drops into the river.

Ox Heart Temple

Constructed in Tang Dynasty, it was called Yanfu Temple. As it is situated on the south side of Ox Heart Ridge, it is also called Ox Heart Temple. The existing two halls with wooden tenon through structure are simply decorated. The entrance makes use of the front door as decoration to highlight the characters of the temple. Tathagata and Samantabhadra are enshrined in the upper and lower halls respectively; on the right and left side are Contemplation Hall and Buddhists’ living rooms. The Contemplation Hall in the temple is the dining hall in fact, and its name originates from “Five Contemplation at Meal Time”, which demonstrates profound Buddhism cultural connotation.

Snake Countermarch

It is a famous risky slope in Mt. Emei, which is located beneath the east of Daping. It got the name because the slope is so dangerous, steep and winding that even a snake can hardly march forward. It is the steepest slope in the mountain, which looks like the vertical stone stairs. Timid people are afraid to go down the slope from the front; instead, they face the berm and climb down the stairs slowly by hands. The slope has about 93 turns and 3200 stairs.

A Strip of Sky

It is also called “White Cloud Valley”, located above Black Dragon River. The road here is in the gap between two cliffs, which look like the knife hack. The road,15 m high and 4 m broad, is like a deep lane. When people enter the lane, they will feel dim and silent. If they raise their heads, they will see the sky as thin as a strip, so the place is called “A Strip of Sky”. The winding plank road is 140 m long, which hangs in the half of the cliff. Deep gullies are below the road, with cool air around; you will feel as cool as in late autumn even in hot summer. You will enjoy the natural scenery here and communicate with the nature and forget all the earthly troubles.

Precious and Rare Plants Gallery

Located between Hongchunping and Jiulao Cave, it lasts for 22 miles and conserves the most typical and intact primeval vegetation, including Davidia Invoucrata and Michelia wilsonii Finet et Gagnep. The seven sightseeing pavilions in the gallery are divided into five zones, protecting and introducing the 11 families, 16 species and over 200 ancient valuable and rare trees in Mt. Emei.

Ninety-nine Turns

It is a famous steep slope in Mt. Emei, starting from Lingxiao Pavilion and ending in Shouxing Bridge (God of Longevity Bridge), also called Shouxing Slope. The narrow and steep trait from top of the mountain to the foot is filled with many twists and turns. The slope is 300 m high, with a 2500-meter-longwinding trail, 69 turns and over 1840 stone steps. It is said that Samantabhadra passed by this place when he built the Bodhimanda in Mt. Emei. He asked Lingzu Bodhisatva to command 3000 strong men to build the steps as the slope was high, steep and dangerous. Each man built one stair at the same time, so the 3000 stone steps were finished in a moment. When Lingzu Bodhisatva checked the steps, there were ninety-nine turns, hence came the name.

Xiangui Stone

It is situated in the place which is one miles up Xianfeng Temple. The stone is about 10 m high, 16 m long and 6 m thick. At the top of the huge stone grows a cluster of bush; the front side of the stone is smooth, and carved with six huge Chinese characters “Na Mo Pu Xian Pu Sa”, which means Namo Samantabhadra Bodhisatva. In the upper place carved “ Xiangui Stone” in smaller size. It seems that both Buddhism and Taoism can find their places here.

Nine Elderly Cave(Jiulao Cave)

Located under Jiulao Peak and near the Black Dragon Pool, the cave is 1500 m long and 4 m high. The entrance of the cave is like a Chinese character “人”，and the altitude difference between the entrance and bottom of the cave is 84 m. The cave is the largest natural karst cave in Mt. Emei. The whole name of the cave is Nine Elderly Cave because it is said to be the abode of immortals’ get-together. Immortal stories make the cave miraculous. The cave is said to be the cultivation place of Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth in China, and the stone bed in the cave is said to be his bed. Now, there are several scenic spots including Hidden but Beautiful Scenery, Watching Clouds in Qiong’an, Woodman Watching Chess, Stone Shadow of Nine Seniors, Five Gods of Wealth and Treasure Pool, which reflect the culture related to the God of Wealth in Mt. Emei.According to Mt. Emei Records, before Xuanzang (602-644) Monk went to India to obtain Buddhist scriptures, he went to Mt. Emei to worship Samantabhadra. It is said that when he passed by the Nine Elderly Cave, a senior monk gave him a Buddhist scripture and said four gatha:” Your wisdom is as a boat, so save all living creatures from the sea of misery as you have a merciful heart. I hope you can make a great wish as Samantabhadra did to bring benefits to all the living creatures.” Xuanzang felt inspiring, so he had a firm reliance to promoteBuddhist doctrine and bring benefit to human beings.

Orchids in Yusun Peak-forest

Yufeng Peak-forest in Shisun Gully is another wonderful scenery with standing stones in Mt. Emei, which is composed ofhundreds of peaks like bamboo shoots in spring. Large peaks are as long as 30 to 40 meters in girth and as high as nearly 100 meters; small ones are only around 10 m in girth and 30 to 40 m in height. Covered by cirrus and moss, the peaks look like bamboo shoots which break through the soil after a spring rain. The misty clouds and mist add beauty to the peaks. The sea of forests shelters the mountain. The deep soil layer and loose and fertile soil here are suitable for orchids’ growth, and orchids are concentrated in the area. In the peak-forest, orchids’ fragrance fills the air throughout the year: noble orchid blooms in spring, cymbidium orchid in summer, sword-leaved cymbidium in autumn and snow orchid in winter. In addition, tiger orchid and other kinds of orchids are also growing here.

Yuxian Temple

Situated half way up the mountain, with crags on the left and deep pond on the right, it got the name because of the “Yuxian Cave” behind the temple. Built in 1862, the temple, small but quite elegant, had made full use of the local topography to build extraordinary landscape. The current temple, with sound timber structure architecture, is rebuilt as it was in the past; but the dining hall in the lower place is newly added. Hand rails are assembled for tourists to have a rest and sightseeing. In the main hall there is a Samantabhadra’s statue for worship. A cave called “Yuxian Cave” (Immortal- Encounter Cave) is behind the temple. It is said that people often encounter immortals here. In addition, a famous hermit Douyi also lived in seclusion here. What makes the cave peculiar is that fresh vegetables won’t turn yellow or rot in the cave; if you put withered vegetables here, they will turn green and fresh the next day.

Watching Clouds in Huayan Peak

Huayan Peak, situated in Jiuling Hummock, is the top of the mid-elevation area of Mt. Emei. It looks like a pagoda. Standing on the peak, you will have a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of the top and foot of Mt. Emei. Therefore, Huayan Peak has long been known as “Small Golden Summit”. In Mt. Emei, clouds exist at an elevation of above 2000 m. Standing in Huayan Peak, people are just surrounded by the clouds and mist, like entering a fairyland. Clouds rise from the thick woods and bring with you the fragrance of flowers, singing of birds and pealing of bell from temples. Standing in Huayan Peak, you can watch the gathering and scattering of the clouds. You can also enjoy colorful clouds in the morning and sunset clouds in the evening.

Chudian Temple

Chudian Temple is located in Luotuoling of Jiulinggang. It is said that in the East Han Dynasty, a rich man surnamed Pu donated his mansion to be a temple, which is the predecessor of Chudian Temple, but the specific year of construction is not known. It was in the Song Dynasty that Chudian Temple began to be called this name. During the reign of Kangxi Emperor and Qianlong Emperor, the temple had once been extended but went downward afterwards. The existing five timber-framed buildings are mostly remains from Qianlong Period (1735-1796). Only the eight stone foundations are from Ming Dynasty. The foundation of the eave column in the middle of the Temple was carved with herd and lion in a simple and natural style. Among the simple and graceful architecture style hides ingeniousness of the Buddhist architecture.Inside the Temple worshipped Sakyamuni, Manjusri, Samantabhadra, Bhaisajyaguru,Ksitigarbharaja, Avalokitesvara and Skanda etc. A special natural phenomenon called “No Snow in Yunwo” exists here. Yunwo means home of clouds, originated from the fact that every day clouds rise from here to Luotuoling and then go downwards. When winter comes, everywhere except Yunwo is covered with snow. With expanses of lush green, animals like barking deer, rabbits, squirrels and birds come here for food. It remains unknown that how come the temperature here is higher than elsewhere.

Xixin Temple

It was constructed during the Jiajing Period (1522-1566), Ming Dynasty. It laid wasteduring the reign of Kangxi Emperorof Qing dynasty (1661-1722), and wasreconstructed during the reign of Guangxu Emperor (1875–1908).Avalokitesvara and Bhaisajyaguruwere worshiped here. Located at the cliff edge,the temple is like hanging in the air. It is an essential part of the ancient path in Mt. Emei which is difficult to reach. Surrounded with lush forests and covered by clouds and mists, it makes people who come here forget the mortal world. So here goes an old saying: “Xixin Temple, high in the sky, faces the deep chasm. People come here, feeling far away from the secular world, letting go all the worldly distractions.”

Beamless Brick Hall

The Beamless Brick Hall is the second hall of Wannian Temple, also known as Samantabhadra Hall. Built with bricks without any wood, beam or tile, it is stately and magnificent. Possessing a style of ancient Indian architecture, its design originated from the ancient people’s view on the universe of “round heaven and square earth”. In the middle of the hall, a bronze statue of Samantabhadra Buddha riding on a white elephant is enshrined, which was built in the Northern Song Dynasty. The whole statue is 7.85 meters high and weighs 62 tons while the Samantabhadra statue is 3.64 meters high.The Samantabhadra Buddha riding on a white elephanttogether with the 3000 Buddha statuelette enshrined in the cupboard forms a magnificent scene of Samantabhadra teaching classics to his disciples. The flying Apsaras on the dome are soft with well-rounded figures and dancing with grace, recreating a scene perfectly integrating the Heaven and the mortal world.

Fairy Playing Music

It is located inside the Baishui (White Water) Pool of Wannian Temple. The tale goes that the voice of the frogs in the Pool, taught by music player monk Guangjun and the great poet Li Bai, sounded like music, with poetic rhyme. When people clap their hands for several times, croaking of frogs arise from all directions, clear and mellow, like fairies playing musical instrument, lingering on and on.

Cisheng Temple

Built in 1594, it is located above Sihui Pavilion and below Wannian Temple. In the center locates the main hall, with wing-rooms on its both sides. At the entrance sits a double-eave wooden building in a delicate and elegant style. Although several reconstruction and maintenance were conducted, the original style of the Temple has been well kept.

Bailong Cave (White Dragon Cave)

This cave was firstly constructed during the Jiajing Period (1522-1566), Ming Dynasty. There are two halls in the Cave. The first one is Sansheng Hall (Three Sages Hall), worshipping the three Western sages: Amitabha, Mahasthamaprapta and Avalokitesvara. The other is Main Hall, worshipping three Huayan Sages: Sakyamuni, Manjusri and Samantabhadra. The 1.8-meter-high Sakyamuni statue, made of jade and painted in colors, was donated by Ms. Fu Fengying, younger sister of General Fu Zuoyi in 1991. The legend goes that the cave was where the White Snake practiced. Now, there are scenic spots including Remains of Bailong Cave, Reflection of Snake in the Pool, Rising Immortals Platform etc.

Delin Spring Smoke

Also known as Gongdelin (Benefaction Forest), it is located outside Bailong Cave, with a history of over 400 years. In 1567, the great Buddhist master Biechuan had been cultivating himself here. Once he recited one Chinese character of Saddharmapundarika Sutra, he would plant a tree. At last, he planted 69,777 trees including Phoebe zhennan, cypress, pine trees and fir. Such benefaction was greatly honored by the people, therefore the forest was called “Benefaction Forest” so as to commemorate Master Biechuan. After that, from Kangxi Emperor to the farmers and woodmen, all cherished this forest, and no one would cut any tree in it. Phoebe zhennan is a type of evergreen tree, the majority of which in this forest are Phoebe hui with narrow leaves, like bamboo leaves. When the leaves swing in the wind, the whole forest seems like bamboo groves. The Phoebe forest sits in the west and faces the east, witnessing sunrises and hovering clouds. Like smooth silk, mists are circling around the forest. When mists rise to the sky, they join the clouds, presenting a scene of clouds with spring smoke. Here you can also enjoy the green mountains and the three peaks towering atop the cloud; therefore, here comes the description of green peaks greeting the rising sun. Under the trees flow the White River and Black River incessantly, murmuring like melodious music.

Dove-like Davidia Involucrata