Xi'an Suburb Tour | Tongchuan Zhaojin Daxiangshan

💡 Shaanxi's Tongchuan Zhaojin Daxiangshan, although sharing the magnificent natural scenery with Beijing's Xiangshan, has a different cultural and historical background. The Zhaojin Xiangshan Temple was founded during the Fu Qin dynasty (351-394 AD) and flourished during the Yao Qin dynasty (384-417 AD), with a history of over 1600 years, whereas Beijing's Xiangshan Temple was built during the Tang dynasty (1186 AD). 🔥 'Zhaojin Daxiangshan' is as famous as 'Zhejiang Putuoshan', known as 'North Xiangshan, South Putuo'. Both are regarded as the bodhimanda of the Bodhisattva Guanyin, and Zhaojin Daxiangshan is the only place in China where the Bodhisattva Guanyin's nirmanakaya and physical body are enshrined. 👑 Although it might be an exaggeration to call Daxiangshan 'one of the eight great Buddhist holy sites in China' or 'one of the three major temples in Shaanxi Province' as some local introductions claim, the site indeed carries profound and irreplaceable historical and cultural value. The title is not unwarranted. 📚 Legend has it that the founding master of Xiangshan Temple, Princess Miaoshan, was an incarnation of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. She was the third daughter of King Miaozhuang, a vegetarian from a young age, intelligent and compassionate. Princess Miaoshan devoted her days to devoutly chanting Buddhist scriptures and seeking enlightenment. King Miaozhuang, however, did not support her and, in a fit of anger, even attempted to have her executed. Later, Bodhidharma rescued her to Daxiangshan. King Miaozhuang subsequently fell ill with an incurable disease, and no medicine in the kingdom could heal him. Princess Miaoshan, without holding any grudges, cut off her own hand and gouged out her own eyes to cure her father. After his recovery, King Miaozhuang went to Xiangshan to express his gratitude, only to see a statue sitting in the main hall, missing a hand and eyes. King Miaozhuang then realized that Princess Miaoshan had attained enlightenment. Suddenly, Princess Miaoshan grew countless eyes and hands and slowly ascended to the sky, her face beaming with a serene smile. Since then, the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin of Daxiangshan has become famous overseas, and the temple's incense has never ceased for thousands of years. 🗺 Daxiangshan, also known as 'Sanshishan', consists of three peaks: east, west, and middle, standing tall like a giant penholder, or like three sticks of incense in an incense burner, hence the name Xiangshan. Many also say that because Daxiangshan Temple is located on the sunny side of the mountain, the sea of flowers that covers the mountain in spring and summer creates an overwhelming fragrance, leading people to call these three stone peaks Xiangshan. The most enchanting time is probably autumn with its mountains of red leaves, or winter with its pure white snow. However, spring with its burgeoning life and green mountains dotted with fresh flowers, and summer with its rolling pine waves and refreshing breezes, are all worth visiting... Unfortunately, my visit was at an awkward time, and I missed this grand spectacle, which was somewhat regrettable. 🚗 Transportation 🚙 If you're driving, you have to park at the parking lot at the entrance of the scenic area (if you know someone inside the scenic area, you can drive to the top of the mountain). 🛺️ To enter the scenic area and climb the slope for two to three hundred meters, you can take the scenic area's sightseeing car (10 yuan per person), which only goes to the 'God of Wealth Temple' on the west peak. The way down the mountain is relatively gentle, so if you have plenty of time, there's no need to take the car~