Jinxiu Peak (锦绣峰), also known as the South Terrace of Mount Wutai, is located 12 kilometers south of Taihuai Town in Shanxi Province. Standing at an elevation of 2,485 meters and covering over 200 acres, it is the only peak among the five terraces of Mount Wutai that stands alone, separate from the other connected mountain ridges. The peak resembles a reclining horse from a distance, and when viewed from the summit, it appears like an overturned basin. It is also known as Xianhua Mountain, famed for its rich wild vegetation. The summit is a paradise of birds and flowers, making it feel like a fairyland.
The top of Jinxiu Peak is covered with a carpet of fine flowers and grasses, creating a green landscape that is home to rare species such as the “Golden Lotus Flower,” “Sunflower,” and the prized “Tai Mo Mushroom.” This area is renowned for its high-quality agricultural products, including soybeans, quinoa, oat, Tai ginseng, Tai mushrooms, and golden lotus flowers. Each summer, after the Grain in Ear season, the peak becomes a gathering spot for cattle, horses, and sheep from various regions.
The only existing temple on the summit is Pujisi Temple, which dates back to the Song Dynasty and was renovated during the Ming Dynasty. The temple once housed inscriptions from the Ming Hongwu period (1387) and later restorations in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Pujisi Temple has a front hall that enshrines a statue of Maitreya Buddha, while the main hall, known as Wenshu Hall, features an image of Manjushri. The rear hall contains a stone-carved statue of Samantabhadra, believed to be an artifact from the Song or Yuan Dynasties.
To the east of Pujisi Temple is a 16-meter-tall, seven-story stone pagoda with a bottle-shaped top. Climbing the spiral staircase inside the pagoda offers a panoramic view of the stunning South Terrace scenery. Visitors often feel as if they’ve entered a mystical realm, making it a memorable and enchanting destination.
