Pilgrimage at Five Sacred Peaks in Shanxi Province (Wu Tai Shan)

I don’t know about you but I consider myself half Buddhist although there is not a clear, logical reason for that. One place that almost got me convinced I should to escape from the daily routine for a longer period in a monastery is Wu Tai Shan (shan-mountain). Located in the Shanxi province, it is considered, by the religious Chinese, one of the four sacred Buddhist Mountains. 
Transport and Accommodation
If you are planning to make a visit leave yourself at least 2 or 3 days (more than 40 temples) and make up your mind for a long trip with the bus (from Tai Yuan it takes 5 hours). There is a fee of about 180 Yuan to enter this national park.As for accommodation, we stayed at rented rooms away from the center and the price was quite alright (those days about 25 Yuan). Bear in mind it was during the season .Whenever I traveled in China, I preferred eating a snack outside and in Wutai I didn’t break the rule.
Temples

White Pagoda in Taiyuan Temple
Courtesy of: http://paulstravelpics.blogspot.com  

The ancient temples were bustling with life: relaxing music, incense smell, many tourists bending on their knees in front of the golden statues of Buddha. If you catch the evening ceremony you will be rewarded with the magical chanting of the monks. What is peculiar about the architectural design of the monasteries is that it is quite varied. You may see typical Tibetan, Chinese, as well as Nepalese features.  Make sure you don’t miss the Xiantong Bronze Hall Temple, covered with golden leaves, shining like a diamond. And, of course, Dailuo Ding, which is nested on the central peak just above the village Taihuai. In case you are short of calories you can buy some nuts on your way uphill from the street merchants.  My personal favorite is the white pagoda at Tayuan Temple which is present on almost every material about this sacred place.

Golden Roof in Xiantong Temple
Courtesy of: http://paulstravelpics.blogspot.com 

Buddhist MonksIn Wu Tai Shan I observed for the first time a Tibetan devotee who prostrates himself on the ground every STEP. Some people say they travel over thousand miles repeating the same movement on their pilgrimage. While I was staring at the holy person he, suddenly, turned around and asked me for cash. No comment I remember that one of the nuns approached me and gave me a small present – a mala (prayer bead). She insisted that I should take it and told me there has to be peace among the nations.
Since my time was limited, my trip was concentrated on the temples and I did not have the opportunity to climb the peaks. My loss! Even if you are not a religious person you would feel the vibe in this holy mountain. Namaste.