Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area is located in Tiantai County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, and is a national 5A-level tourist attraction covering 187.1 square kilometers. Renowned as the "Cradle of Buddhism and Taoism with Divine Landscapes", it combines three cultural highlights: the birthplace of Tiantai Buddhism, the ancestral temple of Southern Taoism, and the opening chapter of Xu Xiake's travelogue. Core attractions include Guoqing Temple, Shiliang Waterfall, and Huading National Forest Park. With forest coverage exceeding 90% and negative oxygen ions consistently above 20,000 per cubic centimeter, it's truly a "natural oxygen bar".
History and Culture
Tiantai Mountain is the birthplace of both Tiantai Buddhism and Southern Taoism. In 575 AD, Master Zhiyi founded Tiantai Buddhism here, making Guoqing Temple its ancestral temple. During the Song Dynasty, Zhang Boduan established Southern Taoism, with Tongbai Palace honored as its ancestral temple. Literary giants like Li Bai, Su Shi, and Xu Xiake left footprints and poems here, with Xu Xiake dedicating his travelogue's opening chapter to Tiantai Mountain.
The area preserves numerous cultural relics, including 3 nationally protected heritage sites and 15 provincial-level ones. Guoqing Temple houses precious artifacts like Sui Dynasty pagoda and plum tree, dating back over 1,400 years.
Main Attractions
Guoqing Temple
Established in 598 AD during the Sui Dynasty, Guoqing Temple is the ancestral temple of Tiantai Buddhism, ranked among China's "Four Great Temples" alongside Lingyan, Qixia and Yuquan Temples. Covering 73,000 square meters with Qing Dynasty architecture following mountain contours, it treasures Sui Dynasty stone carvings and Song Dynasty arhat statues. The 59.3-meter Sui Pagoda outside features hexagonal nine-tier design.
Shiliang Waterfall
Tiantai's iconic 30m-high, 10m-wide waterfall cascades through a natural stone beam (7m long, 3m thick), creating the spectacular "Waterfall Through Beam" phenomenon. Xu Xiake marveled: "Pausing at Immortal Raft Bridge, watching the rainbow-like stone beam and snow-spraying waterfall, I nearly forgot to sleep."
Huading National Forest Park
Centered on Tiantai's 1,098m main peak across 386 hectares, this "natural arboretum" hosts rare plants like rhododendrons and Tiantai hornbeams. Every May, thousand-acre rhododendron blooms create stunning floral oceans. Huading also offers perfect cloud sea and sunrise views.
Qiongtai Fairy Valley
This 5km-long core scenic area features "majesty, wonder, elegance and seclusion". Legends say Han Dynasty figures Liu Chen and Ruan Zhao encountered immortals here at sites like Eight Immortals Lake and Fairy Seat. With babbling streams and grotesque rocks, every step reveals fairyland-like scenery.
Local Cuisine
Tiantai Mountain Cloud Mist Tea
This historic tea grows above 800m elevation, famed for "emerald color, high aroma, mellow taste and beautiful shape". Huading's tea plantations offer the most authentic experience.
Jiao Bing Tong (Pancake Roll)
Local specialty featuring thin flour pancakes rolled with minced meat, egg, tofu etc. and pan-fried golden crisp. Available at most farmhouse restaurants around the scenic area.
Tiantai Small Dog Cattle
Local cattle breed, small but tender. Classic preparations include braised and boiled versions, uniquely available at scenic area restaurants.
Ticket Information
Separate tickets: Guoqing Temple 15 yuan, Shiliang 60 yuan, Huading 50 yuan, Qiongtai 65 yuan. Combo ticket 160 yuan (all four). Open 8:00-17:00. Recommended visit duration 1-2 days.
Suggested Itinerary
One-day route: Guoqing Temple → Chicheng Mountain → Jigong's Former Residence → Shiliang Waterfall. Two-day route: Day1 - Guoqing → Chicheng → Jigong; Day2 - Huading → Qiongtai. Shuttle buses connect attractions.
Transportation
- High-speed rail: To Tiantai Mountain Station, then scenic area bus
- Driving: Exit at Tiantai on Shang-San Expressway, then 10km along West Tiantai Road
- Bus: From Tiantai County take routes 5 or 7 to main sites
- Air: Nearest airport Taizhou Luqiao (about 80km away)
Must-See Attractions
- Guoqing Temple: Tiantai Buddhism's ancestral temple
- Shiliang Waterfall: Marvel at "Waterfall Through Beam" wonder
- Huading National Forest Park: Rhododendron flower oceans
- Qiongtai Fairy Valley: Legendary immortal encounter site
Travel Tips
- Best seasons: April-June and September-November
- Mountain weather changes rapidly - bring rain gear and warm layers
- Huading sunrise/cloud sea worth overnight stay
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended for numerous trails
- Observe religious site protocols - maintain quiet
Precautions
- Some steep mountain paths - stay safe, avoid cliff edges
- Protect ecosystem - no plant picking or animal disturbance
- No smoking or open flames in scenic area
- Wet season paths may be slippery - walk carefully
- Keep valuables secure and on your person