Jizu Mountain

Jizushan, chicken-foot mountain, named for the shape of its ridges, is one of the principal Buddhist mountains of southwestern China and is associated in tradition with the disciple Mahakasyapa, which drew pilgrims from Tibet, Yunnan and beyond; at its height it held dozens of temples and thousands of monks. The summit at about 3,240 metres carries Jinding temple and the Lengyan pagoda, reached by steps or cable car, and the Sunrise Gate on the top is where pilgrims and visitors gather before dawn to watch the sun come up over the ranges with cloud filling the valleys below.

What to look for

• The summit temple - Jinding and the Lengyan pagoda on the peak.
• The Sunrise Gate - the stone gate where the dawn crowd gathers.
• The pilgrim route - stepped paths past temples up the mountain.
• The valley cloud - mist filling the valleys below the summit at dawn.

When to go

March to June and September to November for clearer mornings; the summer rains keep the summit in cloud. Sunrise means staying overnight on or near the peak. Nights at altitude are cold.

Before you go

Most temples are modern rebuildings after earlier destruction. The summit is often clouded and sunrise is a gamble. Entry plus cable car is expensive and accommodation on top is basic.

Nearby

Dali lies west; Xizhou is northwest.