中国最冷门的10个佛教圣地，见过的不足1%，却藏着中国最震撼的奇观！

中国最冷门的10个佛教圣地，见过的不足1%，却藏着中国最震撼的奇观！

Are you tired of the throngs of popular temples in China ? While Lingyin Temple and Shaolin Temple are thronged with tourists, hidden in lesser-known corners are Buddhist sanctuaries that could be described as “secret places.” They may not be as famous as they used to be, but they boast breathtaking natural wonders, incredible architectural marvels , or the pure power of faith. This video will take you to nine of China’s least-visited Buddhist sanctuaries. Each one will leave you awestruck, “I never knew such a place existed in China! ” Without further ado, let’s embark on this spiritual pilgrimage! The climbing process of the first place is so thrilling that it makes people’s heart beat faster. Many tourists even jokingly call it a “life and death test”. The ninth place is the Xumishan Grottoes in Ningxia. In the desolate Danxia Valley in Guyuan City in southern Ningxia, there is a shocking Buddhist treasure house, the Xumishan Grottoes. When you stand in this wilderness and see the 20.6-meter-high Buddha for the first time, it’s like traveling through time and seeing the prosperity and vicissitudes of the Silk Road thousands of years ago. Let ‘s first talk about the origin of the three words “Xumerushan”. In Buddhism, Xumishan is not a random name. It is the center of the world in the Buddhist cosmology and the residence of the Bodhisattvas in the sky . The Sanskrit means “Mt. Meru”. The ancient craftsmen traveled thousands of miles to such a remote place to carve caves and gave it such a loud name. This in itself is an amazing project. They wanted to build a bridge to the West on earth, so why did they choose to carve caves in such a desolate place? Guyuan has been a fortress since ancient times , a crucial junction on the Silk Road where five provinces converged. During the Tang Dynasty , it was the first major city after leaving Chang’an. Caravans flocked here, and the spread of Buddhism eastward also required passage through it . Crucially, the sandstone here has just the right texture: not too hard to carve , but not too soft to collapse, making it the perfect material for grottoes. The Xumishan Grottoes were carved from the Northern Wei Dynasty until the Tang Dynasty. Today, 162 caves remain , spread across eight peaks stretching two kilometers. The most impressive of these is the “Big Buddha Tower” in Cave 5. This seated Maitreya Buddha stands a full 20.6 meters tall, taller than the largest seated Buddha at the Yungang Grottoes! Standing at the Buddha’s feet and looking up, one ear is as tall as two people, and one eye is over a meter long. Most impressively, the entire Buddha is carved from a single piece of stone, with no single piece joined! There is also Cave 51, which experts call “Sumeru Light”. It is the largest in the entire cave complex. On the back wall of this masterpiece from the Northern Zhou Dynasty sit three 6-meter-tall Buddhas, plus the other seven Buddhas in the cave, each of which is carved to lifelike perfection. Caves 45 and 46 are even more gorgeous, dazzling the eyes. There are more than 40 statues in the cave that are larger than life. If you look closely , there are carvings of musicians holding pipa or flute under the niches. There are even flying celestial beings soaring on the ceiling in various poses. Speaking of the city of Guyuan , its origin is even more extraordinary. It was the prototype of the TV series “Mountains and Seas” – “Xihaigu” was once recognized by the United Nations as one of the “22 least habitable places in the world” . However, this land, which was once “the most miserable in the world”, has achieved a miracle of poverty alleviation in a few decades . Now it has become a “potato hometown” and a “summer resort” with an average summer temperature of only 18 degrees Celsius. Guyuan was even more glorious in history . It was the “Great Plain” in the “Book of Songs” and the first port west of Chang’an on the Silk Road. A major trading city, it witnessed the first tours of Qin Shi Huang, the expansion of Han Wudi’s territory , the congratulations of Emperor Taizong of Tang , and the heroic fall of Genghis Khan. Yet, this magnificent grotto was almost completely forgotten by the world. Sandstorms buried the caves, and wars destroyed the Buddha statues. The Xumi Grottoes once languished in the depths of the wilderness until archaeologists rediscovered and began protecting them in the mid-20th century. Only then did they gradually “resurrect from the dead,” once again radiating a thousand-year-old Buddha’s light. When you stand alone in this desolate Buddhist kingdom, surrounded by silence, only the sound of the wind can be heard, and those stone Buddha statues… Gazing quietly into the distance, you’ll understand the meaning of “great sounds are silent, great images are invisible.” The most breathtaking beauty often lies hidden in these least-known corners. Eighth, Yunnan’s Shizhongshan Grottoes. Hidden within Shibao Mountain in Jianchuan County, Dali, Yunnan, lies a place even Jin Yong regretted not discovering sooner. After visiting the grottoes in 1988, the martial arts master lamented , “If I had been lucky enough to visit them earlier, the landscapes depicted in ‘The Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils’ would have been even more vibrant. ” Why did Jin Yong say this? Because the Shizhongshan Grottoes record the true history of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms from his novels . A unique feature of this grotto is that it’s not a traditional Buddhist grotto, but rather depicts ancient emperors carved directly into stone, worshipped as Buddhas! Entering Cave No. 1, you see not Sakyamuni but Yimouxun, the sixth king of Nanzhao, in a meeting. The king, wearing a tall hat, sits atop a dragon throne, his ministers standing respectfully on either side, much like a court meeting in a TV drama . This is a unique sight among caves nationwide . Where else would an emperor be depicted in a Buddhist holy place? The Shizhongshan Grottoes were excavated in 850 AD, during the peak of the Nanzhao Kingdom’s power. The 17 caves and 139 statues are spread across three areas. Cave No. 2 depicts the majestic procession of Geluofeng, the fifth king of Nanzhao. Cave No. 9 bears the inscription “Persian,” attesting to the international trade exchanges of the time. Most strikingly, Cave No. 8, “Ayangbai,” depicts a female fertility cult — unbelievable in a Buddhist cave— and reflects the boldness and inclusiveness of local Bai culture. Jianchuan and Dali boast a rich history. From 738 to 1253 AD, the Dali region was once part of Nanzhao. The capital of the Dali Kingdom, this powerful kingdom existed for over 500 years, controlling all of Yunnan as well as parts of Myanmar and Laos. Jianchuan, a key hub on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road, has been a diverse cultural intersection since ancient times. Here, the cultures of the Central Plains, Tibet, and Southeast Asia collided and merged, forming the unique “Azhali” religion. It is also a place with a rich cultural heritage. Nearly every household in the ancient city features handwritten couplets on their doors. During the Qing Dynasty, over 500 people passed the imperial examinations, and the woodcarving skills are nationally renowned . But why did the ancients so painstakingly carve their own images in this desolate land ? What anxieties and aspirations of this ancient kingdom are hidden behind these stone carvings ? Perhaps it was this yearning for eternity that led the Nanzhao kings to carve their mark on the hard rock, hoping that future generations would remember this once-glorious dynasty. Today, standing before these thousand-year-old stone carvings, we truly feel a sense of time travel. History could be so vividly preserved. Seventh: Thousand Buddha Cliff, Guangyuan, Sichuan. As you whiz by on a high-speed train at 300 kilometers per hour, a cliff covered in densely packed Buddha statues suddenly appears outside the window. Over 7,000 Buddha statues stacked one on top of the other resemble a giant honeycomb. How would you feel? This is the Thousand Buddha Cliff in Guangyuan, Sichuan. It’s perhaps the only thousand-year-old grottoes in the world that high-speed rail passengers can admire up close . Thousand Buddha Cliff is located on the east bank of the Jialing River, and the Xicheng High-Speed ​​Railway runs right across from it . Hundreds of trains pass through here daily, and passengers instinctively grab their phones to take photos. This perfect encounter between ancient art and modern transportation is extremely rare worldwide. Even more interesting, you can also see this amazing sight from a distance if you drive on the national highway . On one side is the ever-flowing Jialing River, on the other are the thousand-year-old Buddha statues. Modernity and antiquity magically converge here, and this place was originally an ancient “highway.” The road service area ” Thousand Buddha Cliff” is adjacent to the Jinniu Road. It was the most important road in ancient Shu. The whole journey from Chang’an to Chengdu is more than 500 kilometers. The saying “The Shu Road is difficult, harder than climbing to the sky” refers to this place. Li Bai and Du Fu both walked this road. Passing merchants, officials, and monks would stop at Thousand Buddha Cliff to pray for Buddha’s blessing for a safe journey. Thousand Buddha Cliff was first carved in the Northern Wei Dynasty. The existing 388-meter-long and 45-meter-high cliff has more than 950 caves and niches. The real golden age was the Tang Dynasty . This is related to Wu Zetian . Guangyuan is the birthplace of Wu Zetian. After she became emperor, she ordered the construction of Dayun Temple across the country. Thousand Buddha Cliff also welcomed A large-scale statue-building craze has emerged. The Maitreya Buddha in the “Dayun Ancient Cave” is said to be based on Wu Zetian. Speaking of the city of Guangyuan , it is the northern gate of Sichuan . Located at the junction of Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces, it is known as the “Gateway to Northern Sichuan and the Throat of the Shu Road.” It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. It is not only the hometown of Wu Zetian , but also an important stage for the Three Kingdoms culture. Zhang Fei fought against Ma Chao at Jiameng Pass nearby. Today, Guangyuan is still a major transportation hub in the southwest region. The Xicheng High-Speed ​​Railway only takes 3 hours to travel from Chengdu to Xi’an , and Guangyuan is the most important transit station on this route. Unfortunately, During the construction of the Sichuan-Shaanxi Highway in 1935 , half of the Thousand Buddha Cliff was blown up, leaving only 7,000 or so statues out of the original 17,000. Even so, it is still the largest grotto complex in Sichuan and is known as the “Exhibition Hall of Stone Carving Art from Past Dynasties.” Standing at the foot of the Thousand Buddha Cliff, gazing up at these Buddha statues that have withstood thousands of years of wind and rain, and then at the modern traffic flowing on the opposite bank, you will deeply feel the weight of history and the changes of the times. This may be the most unique charm of the Thousand Buddha Cliff. The sixth one is the Yachen Monastery in Sichuan. When talking about the Kingdom of Women in “Journey to the West”, everyone thinks it is a myth, but do you know? In Baiyu County, Ganzi, Sichuan , there’s a real-life “Daughter Kingdom”—Yachen Monastery , home to over 20,000 female practitioners. Adult males are prohibited from entering. Considered China’s most mysterious Buddhist sanctuary, Yachen Monastery is built on a plateau 4,000 meters above sea level, separated from Tibet by a river and surrounded by the Changqu River, forming a natural island . From the air, the densely packed red cabins resemble a sea of ​​red, breathtakingly spectacular. These tiny houses were built by practitioners themselves, each measuring just a few square meters , yet they are their only home in the world. Female practitioners here are called “Jiumi,” meaning “Buddha Mother” in Tibetan, and hold a very high status. Over 20,000 nuns live on a small island in the middle of the river , while male practitioners, known as “Zhaba,” are confined to the island. Even more stringent, after 7 p.m. every night, adult men are not allowed onto the island , even tourists. This strict gender segregation is extremely rare worldwide. The most notable aspect of Yachen Gar is the nuns’ “100-day retreat.” Every winter, accomplished nuns move into small, one-square-meter “matchbox” huts on the hillside for 108 days of retreat . During this time, they are forbidden from speaking or interacting with anyone, eating only barley and tsampa daily, meditating and chanting in temperatures exceeding -20 degrees Celsius. Can you imagine spending 108 days in such a small space ? There is no heating, no mobile phones, no entertainment , and even lying down is difficult. However , every year, hundreds of nuns compete to participate in such hard practice . It is said that less than 1% of people can complete the 100-day retreat, but for them, this is the greatest honor on the road of practice. What is even more admirable is that these nuns are completely self-sufficient. They build houses, carry water, chop firewood, grow vegetables, and do everything by themselves . On this plateau with extremely scarce supplies, they have built this “Female Buddhist City” with their own hands and beliefs . Every morning when the first ray of sunlight shines on the red house, the nuns begin their day’s homework of turning prayer wheels, chanting scriptures, Day after day, year after year, I attend lectures and repair houses. Yachen Gar was founded by Achuk Rinpoche in 1985. It has grown from a few small wooden houses to its current size in less than 40 years. The teachings of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism are inherited here, with a particular emphasis on practical practice and inner purification . Unlike Serthar Buddhist College, which is built on a mountain, Yachen Gar is built around a river and is known as the “Water Buddhist Kingdom.” Life here is extremely simple. There is no meat, not even eggs or milk. The nuns only eat highland barley tsampa and butter tea every day. Shopping is only possible during the day , and only for daily necessities. There is no entertainment except circumambulating the temple and chanting the Buddha’s name . What ‘s interesting is that this isolated nunnery has recently kept up with the times . WiFi is available here , but it is only open for one hour every night from 7 to 8 o’clock, so that the nuns can video call their families. Of course , the scale of Yachen Gar is now much smaller than it was in its heyday. Half of the buildings were demolished a few years ago to protect the environment and strengthen management. There are now about a few thousand nuns living there. But even so, it is still the place with the highest concentration of female practitioners in the world and is known as the “Daughter Kingdom closest to Buddha.” Standing on the hillside of Yachen Gar, looking at the red houses and listening to the chanting coming from the distant mountains, you will suddenly understand that true faith does not require gorgeous buildings, complicated rituals, but only a pure heart and firm belief. These nuns have interpreted what “the mind is the Buddha, and the Buddha is the mind” means with their lives . Maybe you would never choose such a lifestyle , but when you see the existence of this plateau nunnery, you will definitely be deeply shocked. In this impetuous world, there are actually people who can pursue spiritual sublimation so purely. The fifth is the Bingling Temple Grottoes in Gansu. When it comes to going to the temple to worship Buddha, everyone thinks of driving directly to the mountain gate , but have you heard of Buddhist holy places that can only be reached by boat? There is such a grotto in Linxia, ​​Gansu. You have to take a one-hour boat ride first. Only after passing through the magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges of the Yellow River can you see its true appearance . This is the Bingling Temple Grottoes. The name Bingling Temple sounds very unique. In fact, it is the transliteration of the Tibetan word “Shiwanfo” (Hundred Thousand Buddhas) , just like what we often say “Thousand Buddha Cave” or “Ten Thousand Buddha Mountain”. This grotto is extraordinary. It is more than 100 years older than the famous Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang! It was first built in the first year of Jianhong in the Western Qin Dynasty , which is 420 AD . It has a history of more than 1,600 years. When your cruise ship sees the densely packed small caves on the cliff, you will arrive at Bingling Temple . The moment you step onto the dock, you will be shocked by the scene before you. More than 200 caves are densely distributed on the 60-meter-high cliff . The most amazing is the 27-meter-high Maitreya Buddha from the Tang Dynasty . This giant Buddha was carved into the mountain. The upper body is carved from stone and the lower body is made of clay. Even among the giant Buddhas of the Tang Dynasty , this height ranks among the top. The most precious thing in Bingling Temple is Cave 169. This large natural cave preserves The earliest date inscription on a Chinese grotto, “Jianhong Year One,” provides an important benchmark for dating other grottoes across the country. Stepping into Cave 169, you’ll see a style completely different from later Buddhist statues. The Buddha statues here still retain a strong Indian style, with high noses and deep eyes, and drapery clinging to the body, as if they’ve “traveled” directly from ancient India. The murals of flying apsaras on the walls use rich colors and simple lines, exuding a primordial power and beauty. Bingling Temple also preserves the artistic styles of various dynasties, from the simplicity of the Western Qin Dynasty to the elegance of the Northern Wei Dynasty and the richness of the Tang Dynasty. It’s like a history of Chinese art written in stone, and you can see it here. The most moving part is the 8.6-meter-long Reclining Buddha statue from the Northern Wei Dynasty in Cave 16. When the Liujiaxia Reservoir was being built, this statue was in danger of being submerged. Premier Zhou Enlai personally organized the rescue and cut it into nine pieces. It is now housed in a specially built Sleeping Buddha Hall. Looking at this thousand-year-old statue, you will deeply feel the tranquility of ” remaining young after many hardships.” Bingling Temple is located at the intersection of the ancient Silk Road, the Tea Horse Road, and the Tang-Tibet Road. Various cultures collide and merge here, and you can see it in the murals. Inscriptions in various languages, including Chinese, Tibetan, Uighur, and Tangut, are found here. Its inscription as a World Cultural Heritage in 2014 further attests to the grotto’s significance in global cultural history. On your return boat trip, gazing back at the Buddha statues that have silently stood guard on the cliff for 1,600 years, you’ll suddenly understand why the ancients called this place “the land of a hundred thousand Buddhas.” It’s precisely because of this isolation that Bingling Temple has been so perfectly preserved, showcasing its stunning beauty from a millennium ago. Fourth, Shaanxi’s Xianglu Temple. Have you ever seen a temple built on a solitary boulder, suspended on three sides by a single, five-meter-long bridge? In Jiaxian County, Yulin, Shaanxi, lies such a truly breathtaking temple—Xianglu Temple , known as the “most dangerous temple in Northwest China.” Perched on the edge of a cliff on the west bank of the Yellow River, the temple’s Guanyin Pavilion is uniquely built atop a single, isolated boulder, just five meters in diameter and over 20 meters high. From a distance, this huge rock looks like a huge incense burner , hence the name “Xianglu Temple”. What’s even more frightening is that this huge rock is 2 meters away from the main peak and is connected by a wooden bridge 5 meters long and 1 meter wide. Standing on this small bridge and looking down, you can see the surging Yellow River under your feet. Many tourists dare not go forward after reaching the middle of the bridge because the feeling of being suspended in the air is too exciting. What’s even more terrible is that the space on the Xianglu Rock is extremely limited and can only accommodate 5 people at a time. In addition, the wind is very strong on the mountain, and tourists’ hats and scarves are often blown away. Therefore, the temple has set up a warning sign to remind everyone to pay attention to safety. Xianglu Temple was built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty and has a history of more than 400 years. Why did the ancients build a temple in such a dangerous place? In fact, this place is located in the ancient military fortress known as “Iron Jiazhou”. Built in such a place that is easy to defend and difficult to attack, it can not only avoid wars but also allow people to feel the state of being one with heaven and earth during their practice. The temple is divided into two parts, east and west. The west part is connected to the mountain city and has the Holy Mother Shrine, Dragon King Temple, auxiliary halls and other Ming Dynasty buildings that are well preserved. To the east is the famous incense burner stone with Guanyin Pavilion built on it. Although the whole temple is not large , every building is full of Ming Dynasty architectural style. The stone carvings and calligraphy are of great artistic value. The most beautiful time of Xianglu Temple is at dusk. When the sun sets, the golden sunlight dyes the temple golden and is reflected in the Yellow River, forming the famous “Incense Burner Sunset” landscape, which is known as the “Yellow River Little Peng” Laijia County is the hometown of the TV series “The East is Red. ” Mao Zedong also passed through here during his campaign in northern Shaanxi . In recent years, Xianglu Temple has become a popular online check-in spot. Lonely Planet listed it as one of Shaanxi’s 12 highlights. On the cliff south of Xianglu Temple lies a unique rock called the “Flying Stone,” approximately 10 meters tall and shaped like a lion’s head with its mouth open. Standing atop the temple, you can overlook the Luliang Mountains , the 90-degree bend of the Yellow River, and even the Yellow River Bridge spanning east and west. Although only 20 meters above sea level , the thrilling feeling of being suspended in mid-air is unforgettable . If you’re looking for a thrilling experience , Xianglu Temple is a great choice . However, if you’re afraid of heights, it’s best to simply admire it from afar at the bridgehead. Third place: Xiaoxitian Temple in Xixian County, Shanxi Province . Hidden in a small place called Xixian County in Shanxi Province is a magical temple known as the “masterpiece of hanging sculptures.” Xiaoxitian Temple boasts an astonishing wonder: nearly 2,000 colorful Buddha statues are crammed into a hall less than 200 square meters ! Don’t underestimate the remoteness of Xi County. Xiao Xitian is a place that has become popular online because of the famous scene in the game “Black Myth: Wukong” that goes “Since you have seen the future , why not worship it?”. Xiao Xitian was originally named Qianfo Temple and was built on the top of Fenghuang Mountain west of the county. During the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty, Dongming Zen Master from Wutai Mountain took a fancy to this place and spent 15 years to build this temple. Because the four words “Dao Ru Xitian” are written on the forehead of the temple gate , in order to distinguish it from “Da Xitian” south of the county, it was called “Xiao Xitian” . Xiao Xitian The word “small” is not modesty. The entire temple has a construction area of ​​only more than 1,100 square meters , which is equivalent to the size of a standard basketball court. But in such a small place , ancient craftsmen built more than a dozen halls, including the Main Hall, Manjusri Hall, Samantabhadra Hall, etc. Among them, the most amazing place is the Main Hall. The moment you push open the door of the hall, you will be stunned by the scene in front of you. The eyes are full of golden Buddha statues . From the floor to the roof, from the walls to the pillars , and even the beams are covered with various statues. These aren’t just pasted-on decorations; they’re all real clay sculptures! In the center of the hall, five main Buddhas —Medicine Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, Shakyamuni Buddha, Vairocana Buddha, and Maitreya Buddha— are enshrined. Interestingly, this combination is unique in China. Experts say it reflects the people’s overwhelming yearning for various “paradise realms”—the Eastern Pure Land, the Western Pure Land, the Huazang World, the Maitreya Palace, and so on. They want to visit every one of them! Even more remarkable is that the artisans who crafted these hanging sculptures deliberately tilted the statues forward at an 18-degree angle, ensuring optimal viewing when visitors look up. Even better , this tilt restricts dust to the backs and tops of the statues , keeping them spotless for centuries without requiring cleaning! The largest of these Buddha statues is over 3 meters tall, while the smallest is only as big as a fingernail. But each one is carved with exquisite detail. If you look closely at the little monks , some of them are holding teapots with their hands tucked into their sleeves for fear of getting burned, some are holding steamed buns with adorable expressions. And the flying celestial beings, the musicians playing the pipa, the flute, and the drums are simply a live broadcast of an ancient music concert! The materials used for the hanging sculptures in Xiaoxitian are also of great exquisiteness. The pigments used are malachite from Wutai Mountain and cinnabar from Taihang Mountain, which are then blended with egg white. Therefore, after hundreds of years, the colors are still as bright as new. The gilding technique was even exclusive to the royal family in the Ming and Qing Dynasties . The entire hall is magnificent and golden. Today, Xiaoxitian has become popular again because of “Black Myth: Wukong”. The number of tourists has increased several times compared to before. The scenic area has also kept pace with the times and relaxed the restrictions on taking photos , as long as you don’t use the flash. When you walk out of Xiaoxitian and look back at this small temple built on the top of Phoenix Mountain , it is hard to believe that such a shocking art treasure is hidden in such a small space . Perhaps it is precisely because of its “smallness” that it can be so exquisite . Truly breathtaking art never wins by scale. The second one is Jindeng Temple in Pingshun, Shanxi . Have you ever seen a clear spring in a grotto and you have to walk on a stone bridge on the water to worship Buddha? Deep in the Taihang Mountains in Pingshun County, Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, there is an ancient temple that is so amazing that it makes people applaud – Jindeng Temple. The name of Jindeng Temple is very interesting. Legend has it that the abbot of the temple could always see two golden lamps falling from the sky at night , illuminating the entire temple as if it were daytime. So the original “Baoyan Temple” was renamed “Jindeng Temple” . This temple is built on a cliff with an altitude of more than 1,700 meters, backed by a steep cliff to the north and facing a deep valley to the south. It is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round . The ancients described this place as “monks living in white clouds.” The most amazing thing about the Jindeng Temple is its grottoes. Although the temple was built in the 6th century AD , the 17 existing grottoes were mainly excavated in the Ming Dynasty (14th-17th century), which took more than 60 years to complete. After the Song Dynasty in ancient China , few people were keen on excavating grottoes. However, the Jindeng Temple started large-scale construction in the Ming Dynasty, which is very rare in the country. It turns out that the Taihang Mountains are humid and clay sculptures and wooden carvings are easy to damage, affecting the incense . So the monks at that time came up with a trick to excavate grottoes and carve stone sculptures that are not afraid of water or moisture, once and for all. The most amazing thing about the Jindeng Temple is the “Water and Land Hall” – Cave 5. This is a unique wonder among the grottoes in the country! The entire grotto is surrounded by a clear spring. The ground inside the grotto is carved into a pond, and a “田”-shaped stone bridge is built over the pond . People who worship Buddha have to walk clockwise along the stone bridge , just like walking on water . What ‘s more amazing is that the spring water has gushed out from the cracks in the stone for thousands of years and has never dried up. The water level remains the same regardless of drought or flood. Locals say that the water is sweet and delicious and can be drunk directly . Standing on the stone bridge, looking at the clear spring water under your feet, with the solemn Buddha statue above your head, the feeling is really wonderful. The Three Buddhas are enshrined in the Water and Land Hall. The walls on both sides are engraved with 79 “Water and Land Dojo Pictures”, including Indra, the Four Dragon Kings, civil and military ministers, concubines and palace maids. It is simply an ancient version of the “Great Gathering of Immortals”. This practice of gathering the gods of the three religions of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism in one grotto is unique in China. You can see not only Sakyamuni, but also the Three Pure Ones of Taoism, as well as folk gods such as Guan Yu. The tallest Thousand Buddha Pagoda in the pagoda forest outside the temple is said to be The stupa of Master Jingzhen, the founder of the temple, is said to be a tiger-accompanying monk. He would drag a tiger with him to beg for alms every day and was called “the Tiger-Dragging Zen Master”. This ancient cliff temple is unique among the grottoes in China for its ingenious combination of natural springs and grotto statues. Perhaps it is precisely because it is located in a dangerous place deep in the Taihang Mountains that Jindeng Temple has been able to retain this simple religious atmosphere, allowing people to feel the true beauty of pure practice. The first one is Gansu’s Horse-Shoe Temple. You must have heard of the Hanging Temple in Shanxi , but there is an even more thrilling place at the foot of the Qilian Mountains in Zhangye, Gansu that can rival it . That is the number one place in this issue – Horse-Shoe Temple. This group of grottoes carved on a hundred-meter cliff hides the shocking secrets of the Northern Liang Dynasty 1,600 years ago, and it also has the terrifying “33-day Ladder to Heaven”. Speaking of Zhangye, the pearl city on the Hexi Corridor, the first thing that comes to mind is definitely the colorful Danxia , ​​but do you know? At the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains, 65 kilometers from the city, lies the thousand-year-old treasure of Mati Temple. Built in a typical Danxia landform, the mountain, made of red sandstone, is dotted with natural rock pits. Ancient craftsmen cleverly exploited this topography to carve out such a vast grotto complex within the mountain. The name Mati Temple is also quite interesting. Legend has it that when King Gesar’s celestial horse descended to earth, it stepped on the rocks here with one hoof, leaving a deep hoof print, hence the temple ‘s name. The entire scenic area is quite large, including the North Temple, South Temple, Thousand Buddha Caves, Golden Pagoda Temple, and many other grottoes, stretching nearly 30 kilometers. It is simply a grotto art museum on the Hexi Corridor. The essence of Mati Temple must be the 33 Days Grottoes. The ancients had great imagination, imitating the Buddhist scripture “33 days on the top of Mount Xumi.” It is said that 21 caves in seven layers were carved out of the hundred-meter-high cliff. The most amazing thing is that the passages between these caves are all inside the mountain in a zigzag shape, going all the way upwards. This design is unique among the caves in China. The experience of climbing the 33-day Grottoes is “heart-stirring” and it is no exaggeration to describe it as “breathtaking”. You have to bend over and climb up little by little in the narrow and dark cave . Some places are so narrow that only one person can pass through . No wonder some tourists say “fat people basically can’t get up there”. Even tourists with camera bags often surrender after climbing to the third layer. In addition to the 33-day Grottoes, the Thousand Buddha Caves are also very special. More than 500 niches are densely packed on the cliff. The history of the Golden Pagoda Temple is even more remarkable. It is 300 years older than the famous Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang! The “three-dimensional flying fairy” sculptures here are truly unique. The flying fairy’s sleeves and ribbons have actually detached from the stone wall and fluttered in the air. The craftsmanship is truly exquisite. Ma Ti Temple is one of the three major cave art treasures in Hexi, along with Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Yulin Grottoes. However, its charm goes far beyond its artistic value. The altitude here is 2,500 meters , and the average temperature in summer is only 18 degrees Celsius. It is an excellent summer resort . The snow-capped peaks of the Qilian Mountains, the fiery red cliffs of Danxia , ​​the green meadows of the plateau, and the ancient grotto buildings are simply a living three-dimensional picture. Don’t forget that Zhangye has been an important gateway on the Silk Road since ancient times. Eastern and Western cultures collide and blend here. Mati Temple is a perfect witness of this cultural fusion . Han Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism coexist harmoniously here. Central Plains civilization and Western Region culture collide passionately here. When you climb out of the 33-day Grottoes breathlessly and look at the abyss under your feet and the beautiful snow-capped mountains in the distance, you will understand – this may be the most exciting Buddha worship experience in China. From the Xumi Mountain Grottoes in the Ningxia wilderness to the Qilian Mountains in Gansu We’ve visited nine relatively obscure yet unique Buddhist holy sites in China. Some of these places were once little-known , but now, thanks to games like “Black Myth: Wukong,” others remain hidden deep within the mountains, awaiting exploration. Regardless, they all maintain a purer atmosphere of faith and unique natural wonders. Behind each hidden temple lies a little-known history. Standing alone in these places, listening to the wind and the echoes of distant mountains, you’ll suddenly understand the true meaning of tranquility and far-reaching tranquility. Perhaps this is the charm of these lesser-known Buddhist holy sites : untouched by commercialization, they offer purest emotion. In this impetuous era, such places are particularly precious. Which holy site would you most like to visit in person? Let us know in the comments. That’s all for this episode. If you enjoyed it, please like, subscribe, and share it. See you next time!

🌕🌕【本期简介】🌕🌕
在中国辽阔的大地上，隐藏着无数鲜为人知的佛教圣地。
它们并不在游客云集的大寺庙，而是深藏于崇山峻岭、荒凉石窟、或是绝壁之上。
有人一生只听过名字，却从未亲眼见过；有人偶然路过，却仿佛穿越时空，看到千年前的辉煌。

这些冷门圣地，既是修行者的精神归宿，也是中国佛教文化最隐秘的见证。
它们或有传奇僧侣留下的遗迹，或因险峻地势鲜有人至，甚至有的地方至今仍笼罩着神秘与疑问。

本期视频，我们将带你走进 中国最冷门的9个佛教圣地，
看看那些不足1%的人见过的奇观，如何在时光中沉睡，却依旧震撼人心。

★☆★章节时间轴☆★☆
00:00 – 开始
00:37 – 第9位：宁夏固原 须弥山石窟
04:01 – 第8位：云南剑川 石钟山石窟
06:29 – 第7位：四川广元 千佛崖
09:00 – 第6位：四川白玉 亚青寺
12:51 – 第5位：甘肃临夏 炳灵寺石窟 
15:45 – 第4位：陕西榆林 香炉寺
18:18 – 第3位：山西隰县 小西天
21:25 – 第2位：山西长治 金灯寺
24:00 – 第1位：？？？

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🇨🇳 想探索更多中国的神秘文化与自然奇观吗？
订阅【眼见中国】，解锁更多鲜为人知的中国秘密！

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🔔 打开小铃铛，不错过任何一期精彩内容！

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🔥 相关影片（强烈建议继续观看）：

▶️ 中国最后的行脚僧：不收钱、不坐车、不住旅店的信仰之路

▶️ 中国最贵烂尾建筑

▶️ 中国最丑建筑

▶️ 中国最强钉子户

▶️ 中国正在建设的超级城市

▶️ 中国城市档案 | 播放列表

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💬 你去过哪些冷门佛教圣地？
如果有机会，你敢不敢独自探访这些神秘之地？欢迎留言分享！

🙏 感谢观看，期待下期与你再见！

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#眼见中国 #佛教圣地 #冷门旅行 #中国未解之谜 #文化遗产
#LookAtChina #HiddenChina #Buddhism #ChineseCulture #documentary