Jiuhuashan Mountain

Mt. Jiuhua lies 20km northeast of Qingyang County, Anhui Province and is a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrims. Mt. Jiuhua has been established as one of the four most important Buddhist Mountains and is well-known as "the most picturesque mountain in the southeast China". Famous for its beautiful scenery and favorable climate, the mountain is an ideal summer resort. The 100 km2 area is full of ridges and peaks, exotic-shaped stones, gushing fountains, roaring waterfalls, and clear streams. Birds accompany the beating of bell and drum. Fog and pines set each other off beautifully.

The original name of the mountain was Mt. Jiuzishan. However it was renamed Mt. Jiuhua, meaning "the Mountain of the Nine Lotuses." Legend states that one day, Libai - the famous poet of the Tang Dynasty - came to visit this mountain. The poet was intoxicated with the scene of nine peaks that look like lotus blooms from heaven. Out of admiration he wrote the lines: "From the azure skies above descends a jade-like flow, and nine fascinating lotuses rise out of the hills below." Since then the mountain has attracted men of letters through several dynasties, and thus obtained its fame. Just as the Chinese saying goes:" A mountain is famous not for its height but for its holiness".