Jiao Mountain, also called "Chiao Shan", "Qiao Shan" and "Lion Rock", is five kilometers from the downtown, with a height of 70.7 meters and an area of 38 hectares. With numerous ancient inscriptions and calligraphies, it is known as the "the Mountain of Calligraphy". As opposed to Gold Hill, Jiao Mountain is thickly covered with the centuries-old trees，bamboo and flowers. The temple houses and pavilions are in the shelter of the big trees， so it is known as "the hill with woods wraps the temple". The shape of the mountain is described as "the floating jade". There are also magnificent buildings such as "Ming Shan Memorial Hall" and "Jiao Mountain Institute of Buddhism", in memory of the former vice president of China Buddhist Association, Buddhist priest Ming Shan. Dinghui Temple, also on the mountain, is one of the most famous temples in China. Many famous Buddhist leaders from all over the world have visited Dinghui Temple to study. Other cultural remains like Xijiang House, Wanfo Pagoda, and Zheng Banqiao reading place are very enjoyable, too.
Maoshan Mountain is very convenient to reach, being located 24 km. southeast of Jurong city, and bordering Liyang, Zhenjiang, Changzhou, and Nanjing. Maoshan consists of three peaks, among which the main peak, with a height of 372.5 meters, looks like the head of a green dragon.
Maoshan Mountain has magnificent and splendid natural scenery. It is well-known for its straight peaks, mysterious caves, running springs, distinctive stones and ancient trees. All together there are 9 peaks, 26 caves, 19 springs and 28 pools. The mountain has been regarded as"the Eighth Sight" and "the First Holy Land" by Taoists.
Maoshan Taoist Temple was initially built in 44 BC, during the West Han Dynasty. After continuous expansion, it entered its most prosperous stage during the Song and Yuan dynasties. There were about 257 small and large Taoist temples, with a total number of about 5,000 buildings. There are many precious cultural relics, including three palaces and five temples.
Specialty:
1. The very popular "Incense Period" of Maoshan Hill is held from Nov. 24 of the Lunar Year to Mar. 18 every year. During this festival, tens of thousands of people from home and abroad come to worship.
2. If you can stay for a few days, you can have an opportunity to appreciate on the summit of Maoshan Mountain the Buddha's halo, known as "sky lanterns", which, like one of nature’s most awesome spectacles the aurora, reflects the change of the light.
Notes:
1.At the foot of the mountain someone will be selling incense and candles. You do not have to rush to buy them; incense and candles are available at the gate of the mountain.
Price: Every Five Blessings incense 5 Yuan; every Safety incense 10 Yuan; the incense with a height of more than 1 m asking a price of 88 Yuan.
2.After worshiping each deity worshipers throw coin.
3.Maoshan Mountain is one of the most important Taoist sites in China. There are many statues from the Taoist tradition. If you worship, the gesture is as such – kneeling down with the left hand above, the right hand holding the thumb of the left hand.
4.There are draws in Taoist temple. There is no charge for the interpretation of the draw.
5.There are eight characters in Yuanfu Wanning Palace, including a "Fu (blessing)". Worshipers touch it when they leave, because it is said that this can bring a blessing.
6.There are three wells with distinctive tastes in Jiuli Jizi Temple. You can taste the water, but do not drink it.
There are travel buses to Maoshan Mountain in Zhenjiang Huangshan Public Passenger Bus Station. Departure every 30 minutes.
Shuttle buses next to the train station are available. The first bus departure time: 7:30. The whole trip takes 1 hour and 40 minutes or so. There are direct long-distance buses to Maoshan in Changzhou Bus Station. If there is no shuttle bus when you return, you can take a bus to Baoyan, and transfer to Zhenjiang. The whole trip takes 2 hours or so.
