Jiuhua Mountain is a national mountain scenic area characterized by Buddhist culture and stunning natural and cultural attractions. Jiuhua Mountain boasts numerous ancient temples, with 99 existing temples, including 9 national key temples and 30 provincial key temples. Over 10,000 Buddhist statues have been preserved throughout history, earning it the nickname "Lotus Buddha Kingdom." Jiuhua Mountain has a mid-mountainous topography, with granite as the primary massif and mountain yellow-brown soil. It enjoys a northern subtropical humid monsoon climate. The scenic area comprises 99 peaks, numerous streams, waterfalls, secluded caves, unique pines, and grotesque rocks.
Jiuhua Mountain is renowned both domestically and internationally as the abode of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. In 719 AD, Prince Kim Gyo-gak of Silla (South Korea) crossed the sea to the Tang Dynasty and settled in Jiuhua. He diligently cultivated for 75 years before passing away at the age of 99. Because the auspicious signs he displayed during his lifetime and after his death closely resembled those of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva as described in Buddhist scriptures, monks revered him as the incarnation of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and Jiuhua Mountain was designated as the abode of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. Inspired by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's aspiration to "save all sentient beings before attaining enlightenment, and not becoming a Buddha until hell is empty," Mount Jiuhua has seen a rapid increase in temples since the Tang Dynasty, attracting numerous monks and nuns, and boasting a world-renowned reputation for incense. Jiuhua Mountain has produced numerous eminent monks throughout the ages. From the Tang Dynasty to the present, 15 flesh-body remains have naturally formed, five of which are now available for viewing. Among them is the Ming Dynasty monk Wuxia, who was decreed by Emperor Chongzhen as a "Bodhisattva in the Body of Response." The remains of Master Renyi, discovered in January 1999, are the only remaining remains of a Buddhist nun in the world. Given the perennially humid climate, the incorruptibility of these remains has become a mystery in life science, garnering widespread public attention and adding a touch of solemnity and mystery to Mount Jiuhua.