Yedou Peak (叶斗峰), also known as the North Terrace of Mount Wutai, stands at an elevation of 3,058 meters, making it the highest peak in Shanxi Province and Northern China. The peak features a broad, flat summit that extends approximately 2 kilometers in diameter. From below, it appears to rise dramatically above the surrounding mountains, giving it the appearance of a ladle, hence its name “Yedou Peak.”
The climate at the summit is extremely cold, with snow typically beginning in October and lasting until May of the following year. Due to harsh winter conditions and strong winds that can uproot small trees, the summit is largely barren of vegetation. The winter snowfall transforms the area into a spectacular white wonderland, with snow-covered mountains creating a breathtaking, silver landscape.
On Yedou Peak, you’ll find Lingying Temple, which dates back to the Sui Dynasty. The temple originally had a three-bay gate with a large plaque reading “敕建大台北顶 Imperially Established North Peak.” The temple’s eastern and western wings contained stone tablets detailing its history and renovations. The temple’s main hall, reconstructed during the Ming Dynasty (1567-1572) and again in 1986, consists of three stone caves housing the Immaculate Manjusri Bodhisattva. In 2001, Lingying Temple underwent further expansion and renovation, including the construction of a new Manjusri Hall, Dragon King Hall, and a stone archway, all built from white marble.
Nearby, the Yinfeng Pagoda is an important spiritual site. Erected in memory of the Tang Dynasty monk Yinfeng Chan Master, the pagoda is a finely crafted structure. Master Yinfeng, originally from Shaowu in Fujian Province, was known for his ascetic lifestyle, spending winters at Hengshan and summers in cooler places. After his death, his relics were enshrined in this pagoda, making it a significant pilgrimage destination for both monks and laypeople.
