Mianshan mountain – A Hidden Gem in Shanxi

Originally named Ta Yantou, Longtou Temple was renamed due to the presence of the Kong Wang Pagoda Courtyard at the yellow soil slope below the cliff. In the fifteenth year of the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan period (641), Emperor Taizong visited Mianshan to pay homage to Buddha, during which two dragons appeared as a divine sign, prompting the change to its current name. The area features historical sites such as Yude Hall, Guan Di Temple, Zhenwu Temple, and Nantian Gate. It also boasts numerous stone inscriptions, including “Marshal Ye Jianying on Mianshan,” “The Legend of Jie Zitui” from the “Zuo Zhuan,” Qu Yuan’s “Nine Chapters,” Song Tingkui’s “Ode to Mianshan,” and an imperial poem by Emperor Taizong of Tang. These inscriptions are key attractions for appreciating Mianshan’s rich historical and cultural heritage. The temple area is also an excellent spot to watch the sea of clouds in the morning and the sunset in the evening.

Named for its location along the spine where two dragons converge, Longji Ridge showcases the military culture of the Li Tang Dynasty and Taoist health practices. Key attractions include Dragon Raising Its Head, Dragon Saliva Spring, Dragon Beard Waterfall, a giant statue of Jie Zitui and his mother, Zhenwu Hall, the Bagua Garden, and Yangzhi Pavilion. The statue of Jie Zitui and his mother vividly captures the historical moment when Jie Zitui took refuge in Mianshan with his mother. The Mianshan Tang Camp is the only remaining Tang Dynasty military camp in China, with historical relics such as the Supervising Battle Platform and Flagstone, narrating the story of how Emperor Taizong of Tang marshaled his troops. The spiritual atmosphere of Mianshan has attracted numerous immortals and sages over the centuries, including Bo Zichang, Peng Zu, Ziqiao, Hua Tuo, Han Zhongli, Lü Dongbin, and Chen Tuan, whose cultivation caves are scattered throughout the area, making it one of the oldest health preservation sites in China. The Health Preservation Source offers a concise and vivid introduction to health preservation techniques through stone inscriptions and illustrations.

Ligu Cave, also known as Huanggu Cave, is a rare site in China where a royal princess became a nun. According to legend, in the fifteenth year of the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenguan period (641), Princess Changzhao, sister of Emperor Taizong, accompanied the emperor to Mianshan to worship Buddha. She built a hut here and practiced asceticism for years, eventually achieving enlightenment and becoming a deity who aided people. In her honor, locals created a statue and established a shrine. Ligu Cave is situated on the west side of Longji Ridge and features a massive natural cave extending over 200 meters in length, 20 meters in depth, and 30 meters in height, with temple buildings constructed on two levels. These structures, built against the mountain, include Huanggu Hall, Shakyamuni Hall, Guan Di Hall, Doulong King Hall, Arhat Hall, and Three Buddha Hall. The Huanggu Hall houses nine precious sculptures from the Tang Dynasty. Huanggu Tower, where Princess Ligu meditated, is adorned with settings and murals that reflect the grandeur of the Tang royal family. Other halls are also connected to Princess Ligu, each bearing touching legends.

The Stairway to Heaven is named for the plank road built along the sheer cliff face, with a history of over a thousand years. It stretches more than 300 meters in length, is over 1 meter wide, and is situated 80 meters below the peak, reaching into the clouds, while being suspended over 300 meters above the valley floor. After rain, clouds often envelop the bridge, creating the illusion of walking on air and evoking a sense of transcendence. Key attractions in this area include Dongshen Palace, Zushi Hall, Seven Immortals Hall, Water Mother Hall, the Suspended Long Corridor, Hui Tou Kan Bailong, Tuqiao, and Xumi Stone. The caves where historical figures like Zhuge Liang and Zhang Liang practiced are also found here. Additionally, the site features Shile Fortress, one of the most perilous ancient military fortresses in China, renowned for its strategic advantage of being easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Yunfeng Temple, originally named Baofu Temple, is situated on Baofu Rock. It was established during the Three Kingdoms period under the administration of the prominent monk Di Gong, making it over 1,700 years old. Baofu Rock is situated east to west, with a height of 60 meters, a depth of 50 meters, and a length of 180 meters. It has two levels and houses more than 200 halls and pavilions within its “belly,” preserving 2,000 years of historical civilization, making it a truly unique site.

Key attractions at Yunfeng Temple include the Pilu Hall, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Kongwang Hall, Five Dragons Hall, Di Gong Cave, Luan Gong Cave, Zhi Chao Cave, Five Dragons Pine, the Iron Chain Ridge, and the Tang Dynasty “Baofu Temple Stele.” The temple is dedicated to local deity Jie Zitu and the True Buddha Kongwang Buddha. Tian Zhi Chao, the first Han person to achieve Buddhahood, is represented by a statue depicting his true form.

The temple also houses many inscriptions and sculptures from the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, holding significant cultural and historical value. The top of Baofu Rock features a bell hanging from the cliff face, offering a dramatic and impressive view. The Iron Chain Ridge, the oldest cliffside iron chain path in the world, was used by the famous Tang poet He Zhizhang. The Ming Dynasty scholar Fu Shan’s couplet from the 10th year of Chongzhen (1637), the Qing Dynasty’s “慈云法雨” plaque granted by Emperor Guangxu in the 3rd year (1877), and contemporary scholar Zhang Han’s “抱腹栖云” plaque are notable treasures.

Daluo Palace is built into the mountainside, with towering pavilions and intricate carvings, dazzling with golden and brilliant colors. The entire architectural complex covers over 30,000 square meters and consists of thirteen stories, reaching a height of 110 meters. Visitors often compare it to the Potala Palace, calling it the foremost Taoist temple in the world. The exact founding date of Daluo Palace is unknown, but it is said that during the Spring and Autumn period, Jie Zitu came to Mianshan Mountain to live in seclusion, and there were Taoist figures active in the area. By the Eastern Han Dynasty, some of the temples had already taken shape.

In the 11th year of the Kaiyuan period (723) during the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong made a special visit to Mianshan to honor the previous dynasty’s ancestors and to express gratitude for the protection of the Li Tang Dynasty by the gods of Mianshan. He issued an edict to repair the various halls of Daluo Palace. The palace has undergone several renovations over the centuries, including during the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties. After being destroyed by Japanese forces in 1940, it was rebuilt by Sanjia Company in 1998, achieving its current grandeur. The palace is renowned for its wood and stone carvings of the Tao Te Ching, as well as translations into English, Japanese, and Russian, making it a major cultural repository for Tao Te Ching studies. A natural stone cave nearby, known as “White Cloud Cave,” often has white clouds drifting out in the summer, and a nearby hermitage called White Cloud Hermitage houses a rare Tang Dynasty stone carving of the Diamond Sutra.

Originally, Mianshan was under the control of the Five Dragons and their mother. After Zhi Chao arrived on the mountain, the Dragon Mother ceded Mianshan to him by playing a game of chess. The Five Dragons converted to Buddhism and frequently listened to Kongwang Buddha’s teachings at the Dharma Platform. Later, the Five Dragons’ powers increased significantly, and they ascended, leaving five deep ravines on the mountain wall, hence the name Five Dragon Paths. The main temple in this area is Zhengguo Temple. Inside the temple are thirteen statues of the True Form Buddha, whose skeletons remain intact after thousands of years, offering a significant insight into the history, culture, and geography of Mianshan.

Other notable sites include Tongtian Cloud Passage, Five Dragons Pine, Amitabha Hall, Holy Mother Hall, Avalokiteshvara Hall, Three Great Masters Hall, the Hall of the Goddess of Childbirth, and the Five Dragons Hall. The origins of these sites are mystical, and the temples are known for their spiritual efficacy. The Lingying Pagoda, with seven visible and nine hidden levels, rises 69 meters high, making it the tallest Buddhist pagoda in China’s high mountain temples. The steep terrain and towering pines and cypresses add to the distinctive appeal of Mianshan as a scenic destination.

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