A Two-Day, One-Night Self-Driving Guide for Babysitters
When traveling with parents, the principle is to take it easy and enjoy the scenery. Self-driving is truly convenient, but be sure to reserve a vehicle in advance (see the previous article for a complete guide to reserving a vehicle).
Mount Wutai is truly stunning! Pilgrimage to the various temples in the core area, explore the architecture, history, and murals. The surrounding scenery is also breathtaking. It's truly a sacred place where history, culture, faith, and natural beauty blend seamlessly. A recommended itinerary is at least two days. Two days is the minimum; it's only enough to explore the core area. If you have the time, a week or so of stay will allow for a more in-depth experience.
About attractions:
The Mount Wutai scenic area is incredibly vast! Xiaohongshu has different descriptions and recommendations for different temples. The B&B owner recommends the following:
Luo Temple: Named after the son of Sakyamuni, it houses a blooming Buddha statue.
Guanghua Temple: The most beautiful Tibetan Buddhist temple on Mount Wutai.
Dailuoding: Known as the "Little Chaotai," you can choose to climb the stairs or the ramp, allowing you to admire Pusa Ding across the way.
Pusa Ding: A royal temple, also requiring stairs.
Go!
Wuye Temple: The most popular temple on Mount Wutai, be sure to arrive early.
Shanhua Temple: I stumbled into it by accident and had a delicious vegetarian meal! (There are 20 yuan per person and 38 yuan per person, depending on the queue location.)
The Great White Pagoda is under renovation, but I have no regrets and will definitely come again.
On the first day, I visited Shuxiang Temple, Dailuoding, and Zhenhai Temple, and then returned to Huyingou.
On the second day, I drove to Guanghua Temple, Pusading, and then the Outer Ring Road to enjoy the natural scenery. This way, I separated the two temples that require climbing, making it more manageable for the elderly and more relaxing.
About Transportation:
Besides driving, public transportation within the scenic area is very convenient and free!
Buses 7 and 8 operate 24 hours a day. There are frequent services during busy days, but waiting times can be time-consuming at night when traffic is light.
About Accommodation:
There are several areas to choose from! Huyingou and Yangbaiyu are both very convenient for food and accommodation. Huyingou is close to the South Gate parking lot, while Yangbaiyu is closer to the core scenic area. Among the express hotels, Hanting is located within Huyingou; the popular Yinlong Villa and Yunlong Hotel on Xiaohongshu are both in prime locations.
About Dining:
There's a vegetarian Dicos within the scenic area! There are also many other dining options, and some temples offer vegetarian meals, which you can enjoy. Overall, it's a well-established scenic area, with no worries about food and accommodation. Regarding the pilgrimage to the peak: You can directly purchase a ticket for the main pilgrimage, and minibuses will take you from peak to peak. There are also many hikers.