01 Denggu Road| Jingshan Ancient Path
The first time that you go to Jingshan Temple, you can choose the method of "self-driving + mountain climbing". You can navigate to the entrance of the Jingshan Ancient Path by car and then hike up the mountain along the path.
Jingshan Ancient Path was first built in the Tang Dynasty and is an important cultural path. It is through this path that the Zen tea culture of Jingshan has found its way into the world.
The entire climb is about 500 meters and takes about an hour. The ancient path is about five kilometers long, and the scenery is delightful, with lofty mountains on either side.
Along Jingshan Ancient Path all the way up, the mountain breeze blows gently. There are five pavilions along the way (Tongqiao Pavilion, Jinshan Pavilion, Banshan Pavilion, Leng Pavilion, Wangjiang Pavilion), and two Southern Song Dynasty stone inscriptions can be seen on the cliff. In the distance from the Wangjiang Pavilion, the sky is broad and connected to the East Sea, and the Qianjiang River can be dimly seen on a clear day in autumn. After that, head up to the Xiyan Pool, Jinxianzhu, Xiaozong Imperial Stele Pavilion, and on to the Jingshan Temple.
Walking up the ancient path, there are uneven stone roads underfoot, and the mountains in front of you are rendered with dreamy colors by the spring breeze. You can still feel, it seems, the images of countless pilgrims devoutly crossing the ancient paths to offer incense at the Jingshan Temple.
02 Meditations and Prayers | Jingshan Temple
The first building you see when you enter Jingshan Temple is the Wufeng Mountain Gate, which is made of wood. To the right and left of the gate are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, and within the Bell Tower is the Yongle Bell. After passing the Wufeng Mountain Gate, on the central axis are the Daxiong Hall, the Sutra Library, the Guanyin Hall, and the Lingxiao Pavilion. On the side, there are the Zen Hall, Yaowang Hall, and the Dahui Temple.
When the spring breeze blows, the wind chimes at the corners of the buildings ring softly, and the bamboo groves around the temple rustle. There are many Song-style buildings and ancient trees inside and outside the temple. In the atmosphere of this ancient temple tucked away in the mountains, every casual snapshot is filled with serenity and Zen.
You can climb to the Lingxiao Pavilion, the highest point of the temple, and look back at the Jingshan Temple, which has many pavilions and temples. The experience gives people a happy feeling of “all mountains around you turn smaller”.
03 Vegetarian Meals | Jingshan Vegetarian Noodles
In addition to burning incense and praying for blessings, vegetarian meals are also popular at Jingshan Temple.
The monastic dining hall in the temple is at the left turn of the Sakyamuni Hall in the temple. Business hours will be 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the holidays half an hour earlier.
The more popular Miaoxiang Hall (妙香堂) is at the right turn of the monastic dining hall. It is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The legendary and best vegetarian noodles are hidden away here!
Check out the unpretentious vegetarian noodle soup! It is delicious, with clear noodle soup and lots of ingredients. Mushrooms, bamboo shoots and greens are piled on top of the noodles, which are beautiful and delicious.