The birthplace of renowned Buddhist monk Faxian, Xiantang Mountain is a top attraction in Xiangyuan county with dozens of Buddhist temples. [Photo by Lian Feng for China Daily]

Covering 22 square kilometers, the Xiantang Mountain scenic area lies at an altitude of 1,100-1,725 meters and features unique natural landscapes and a rich Buddhism culture and history.

Xiantang Mountain was the birthplace of renowned Northern Dynasty (386-581) Buddhist monk Faxian.

Faxian, or Fa-hsien, was an important figure in the development of Buddhism in China. His journey to India in search of Buddhist sutras in AD 402 initiated Sino-Indian relations and his writings give important information about early Buddhism. After his return to China, he translated into Chinese many Sanskrit Buddhist texts he had brought back.

Some historians believe that Faxian was the first Asian to discover the Americas when his ship was driven astray by storms during his trip back to China.

Influenced by this great figure, Xiantang Mountain developed into a renown Buddhist site in the centuries that followed.

The mountain is home to dozens of Buddhist temples, a 19-meter Faxian statue, a 19-m Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva statue and a 59-m Sakyamuni statue.

Address: Xialiang town, Xiangyuan county, Changzhi city, Shanxi province 

Best travel periods: spring and autumn

Opening hours: 7:00-18:00

Admission ticket price: 

100 yuan ($14.28) per person; 

50 yuan for students and senior residents aged over 60 with valid ID cards;

Free for children, people with disabilities, military personnel in service and people aged 70 or above

Tel: 400-6298100

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