Buddhist Culture of Fanjingshan: Old Temples and the Pilgrim’s Path

A mountain of culture

Fanjingshan has been a famous Buddhist mountain since ancient times; its old temples, relics and pilgrimage tradition form a deep human backdrop. Learning a little background adds meaning to the climb.

What to see and how to read it

• Relics and steles: note the old sites, steles and remains — good clues to the history;
• Pilgrimage tradition: traces of past pilgrims along the way carry a region’s memory of faith;
• A dialogue with the mountain: peaks, old trees and temples in harmony are a meeting of nature and culture.

Etiquette

• Keep quiet in religious places — no shouting, no carving;
• Note on-site notices before photographing and respect others and religious custom;
• Care for the relics — do not touch or climb in closed areas.

Note

Enjoy culture as culture, with understanding and respect together; climbing safety and civilised visiting always come first.