Wu-Tai Shan

Wu-Tai Shan (Five Terrace Mountain) has served as a Buddhist pilgrimage site for almost 2000 years. The center of the complex, the town of Taihuai, is about 150 miles northeast of Taiyuan city in Shanxi Province. Located at an altitude of about 9000 feet, it is surrounded by five peaks up to 11,000 feet high. There are dozens of temples in the town itself and dozens more on the surrounding peaks. Unfortunately, when I arrived in town I discovered that the temples on the peaks, which I had hoped to hike to, are now closed from September 1 to June 1, so I was only able to visit the temples in town.

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View of the some of the 100s of temples in Taihuai

09

Another view of the town's temples

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108 stone steps leading up to the Pusa Ding Temple. The Manchu emperor Kangxi visited together with Zanabazar, the first Bogd Gegen of Mongolia.

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Looking down from Pusa Ding towards the immense 160 foot high Tayuan Si Pagoda which dominates the center of town.

08

The top of the Tayuan Si Pagoda, which now serves as a symbol of the town.

07

Another pagoda, with the hill of Pusa Ding Temple in the distance.

17

Temple constructed entirely of bronze, part of the Xiantong Si Temple complex

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Closer look at the bronze temple.

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