The Fanjingshan or Mount Fanjing, located in Tongren, Guizhou province, is the highest peak of the Wuling Mountains in southwestern China, at an elevation of 2,570 m. It is a sacred mountain in Chinese Buddhism, considered to be the bodhimanda of the Maitreya Buddha.
The influence of Buddhism reached Fanjingshan by the Tang dynasty at the latest, especially after Hou Hongren constructed the Zangke Road in 639 AD, wich facilitated trnsport in the mountains region, and local gazettes record the construction of several temples in the area. More temples were built during the ensuring Song and Yuan dynasties.
Fanjingshan is an island of metamorphic rock in a sea of karst and is home to many ancient and relict plant and animal species which originated in the Tertiary period, between 65 million and 2 million years ago. The property's geologic and climatic characteristics have shaped its flora which behaves as if it were on an island.
The property consists of two parts, namely the Jian Nan subtropical evergreen forests ecoregion and the Guizhou Plateau broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion. The highest peak, Mount Fenghuangshan, and the property covers and an altitudinal range of more than 2,000m.
Mount Fanjing is a jaw-dropping pinnacle stretching hundreds of feet above the valley floor. But if you look closely, you'll see the mountain is not merely a natural wonder-it's also steeped in Buddhist history, and features a pair of ancient Chinese temples atop its peak.
Many Buddhists believe Fanjingshan to be the bodhimanda of Maitreya, the ''future Buddha''. According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya will return to earth in the future to help others reach enlightenment.
After centuries of history, Fanjingshan stands today as one of the most dramatically-placed temples in China, a monument to Buddhism that will leave you breathless-especially if you make the 8,000 step ascent there.
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| The mushroom shaped rock a billion year old unique geological slate stone pillar and icon of Fanjing mountain Guizhou, China |
Fangjishan can be reached from the Chinese city of Tongren via a train or bus ride, or two hour taxi ride.
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