The Huatai Scenic Area showcases the spirit and elegance of Mount Jiuhua! The miraculous ‘Sleeping Buddha’ is situated here, embodying the essence of the bodhisattva Ksitigarbha, ‘unmoving like the earth, profound and secret like a treasure trove’, making it a revered manifestation of the bodhisattva, known as ‘spirituality’. Ksitigarbha is in charge of great vows, and entering the Huatai area is akin to beholding the ‘Buddha’s face’, attracting numerous visitors and pilgrims to share their wishes. Many peaks and scenic spots within the area carry magical tales and auspicious meanings, such as ‘Drum-Beating Peak’, ‘Central Peak’, ‘Meeting Immortals Peak’, ‘Buddhist Gate’, ‘Precept Stone’, and ‘Auspicious Pine’. The Huatai Scenic Area is acclaimed as ‘the most beautiful place in Mount Jiuhua’, naturally embodying ‘elegance’. From April to June each year, the mountain flowers bloom, earning the area the reputation of ‘Sky Street Flower Market’. The flowers are predominantly highland rhododendrons, with wild orchids, cherry blossoms, and wisteria also in distribution. In summer, apart from the coolness, you might witness the unique Huatai sea of clouds, with the vast eastern region resembling the East Sea and the western region intersecting with the Hundred-Year Mountain Range, forming a natural Huatai harbor. ‘Huatai Autumn Colors’ is another splendid sight in Mount Jiuhua, a paradise for photography and painting, where every glance or capture presents a picture of natural simplicity. The winter snowscapes and rime create a sense of transcendence, as if toggling between fairy tales and an undersea world. The scenic area’s elevated plank road spans 1.4 kilometers, offering a range of experiences as you fully appreciate the spirit and elegance of Mount Jiuhua, hence the travel advice: ‘Pray at Jiuhua, Walk at Huatai’. The area is open all year round, accessible 24/7, with specific business hours subject to daily conditions. Essential tips: 1. Mount Jiuhua often experiences foggy days, especially in spring and autumn. While climbing Huatai in spring allows for the enjoyment of rhododendrons, foggy weather can greatly diminish the scenery, obscuring distant peaks and strange rocks. Fog is often accompanied by light rain, so it’s necessary to prepare a rain cape. 2. Climbing Huatai in winter offers beautiful snowscapes, but for those traversing the Huatai-Tiantai route, it’s essential to prepare for slipperiness, as the route may not be cleared of snow and ice in time during winter. You can attach simple nail claws or straw soles to your shoes, available at small shops on Jiuhua Street. 3. Even with cable car access, the climb on the mountain can be tiring, so it’s advisable to travel light.
Huatai Scenic Area – Viewing Platform
The Huatai Scenic Area showcases the spirit and elegance of Mount Jiuhua! The miraculous ‘Slee[...]
