Chizhou Travel Guide

Chizhou, whose name means "Pond Prefecture," is a city of serene beauty and profound spiritual significance in southern Anhui Province. With a population of 1.4 million and an area of 8,399 square kilometers, it is best known as the home of Mount Jiuhua, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains.

Mount Jiuhua is dedicated to Ksitigarbha (Dizang Wang) Bodhisattva, the compassionate being who vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until every being in hell is saved. The mountain's connection to Buddhism began during the Tang dynasty when Kim Gyo-gak, a prince from the Silla Kingdom (modern-day Korea), traveled to China and chose Jiuhua for his ascetic practice. He meditated on the mountain for 75 years, and after his death, his followers identified him as the manifestation of Ksitigarbha. Today, over 80 ancient temples cling to the mountainside, their incense smoke mingling with the mountain mists.

The poet Li Bai of the Tang dynasty visited the area and was so captivated by the mountain's nine lotus-like peaks that he renamed it Jiuhua (Nine Glories). Other poets, including Du Mu, were inspired by Chizhou's landscapes—Du Mu's famous poem "Qingming" mentions Xinghua Village, which still stands on the outskirts of the city, preserving the pastoral charm that inspired the verse.

Beyond Jiuhua, Chizhou offers diverse natural attractions. Pingtian Lake, a vast urban lake at the foot of the mountains, provides a tranquil retreat with its clear waters framing the distant peaks. The Guniu Jiang nature reserve protects one of the best-preserved subtropical forest ecosystems in the region, with hiking trails that pass through bamboo groves, tea terraces, and past waterfalls.

Chizhou's economy has traditionally been based on agriculture—tea, rice, and bamboo—but tourism has grown steadily as Jiuhua Mountain attracts millions of pilgrims and tourists annually. The city also has a significant non-ferrous metal mining industry. The local cuisine reflects the Buddhist influence: vegetarian dishes from the monasteries, fresh fish from the lakes, and herbal wines made with mountain-grown ingredients.