Plan at a glance
Give the stone carvings and hillside courtyards time
Longquan Temple is about 5 kilometers south of Taihuai, on the hillside at Jiulonggang. The compound has central, east, and west courtyards. Its entrance has a blue-brick splayed screen wall and 108 stone steps. A short visit takes about one hour; allow 1.5–2 hours for the complete stone carvings, the Pagoda of Chan Master Puji, and the spring. It works well as a separate half-day outing to an outlying temple.
Tickets and opening hours
Longquan Temple is generally included in the CNY 135 Mount Wutai entrance pass, and no additional temple admission is usually required. Summer hours are about 7:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., with entry by 5:30 p.m. recommended at the latest. The entrance pass, temple access, and bus service may change, so check the latest information before traveling.
Tickets and visit details
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The white-marble screen wall
The center of the entrance screen wall contains a white-marble relief showing the distribution of Mount Wutai’s temples. Study the overall composition before walking to the steps, using it as a map-like introduction to the visit. The area in front of the wall is also a passage, so pull to the side for photographs.
Stone archway and steps
The 108 steps lead to a white-marble archway about 9 meters high. Its carvings include dragons, stone lions, and the Eight Immortals, with Buddhist, Daoist, and Confucian themes. Look closely at dragon whiskers, lion bodies, and border lines, then step back to see the archway’s scale against the mountain road; the details reward more than a quick photo stop.
The Pagoda of Chan Master Puji and Nine-Dragon Spring
The Pagoda of Chan Master Puji in the west courtyard is carved from white marble, with the complete Heart Sutra engraved on the body of the pagoda. Nine-Dragon Spring beside the temple is the final stop on the route. Water collection follows the current temple instructions. Treat it as a cultural experience, without making claims about drinking benefits, and do not interfere with temple circulation or order.
Build your day
Quick route: about 1 hour
Study the miniature Mount Wutai map at the screen wall, climb the 108 steps, and photograph the white-marble archway. Enter the central courtyard to see the Main Hall, then continue to the west courtyard for the Puji Pagoda. If time is tight, finish here and leave Nine-Dragon Spring for the complete route.
Complete route: about 1.5–2 hours
Start at the screen wall, pass the steps, gate, and central courtyard, then continue to the west courtyard for the Pagoda of Chan Master Puji. Finally, follow the gentler slope beside the temple to Nine-Dragon Spring to collect water. After filling your container, return to the exit along the gentler side path so you do not carry extra weight back up the steps; access to the filling point and slope follows the day’s directions.
A photography rhythm
The bottom of the steps gives an upward view of the archway and sky. From the archway, look back along the long staircase, then move close for the dragon whiskers, lions, and relief lines. Strong midday light can flatten the stone details; morning or afternoon side light is often better. Do not touch the carvings or stand in the middle of the uphill route.
Get there
Confirm Route 10
Scenic-area Route 10 goes directly to Longquan Temple Station and is the main public-transport option. Service intervals, the last bus, and stops may change, so look for the sign toward Taihuai when you arrive. Confirm that you are boarding Route 10; roadside cars and other routes may involve detours or disputes over price.
Driving and parking
Enter “Mount Wutai Longquan Temple” in navigation. There is parking in front of the temple, with comparatively good availability. Begin at the splayed screen wall after parking. For the return, follow the day’s road and parking-exit conditions; after rain, drive the mountain road slowly and adapt to its bends and passing space.
Combining it with Taihuai
Longquan is far enough from the central area that it works better as a separate half-day plan than as a stop inserted into a central walking route. Afterward, return to Taihuai for a meal or continue to another outlying temple. Whether Jinge Temple or Nanshan Temple can be linked conveniently depends on the day’s traffic and transport.
Know before you go
Steps, footwear, and carrying water
The 108 steps are relatively gentle, but the complete route still includes hillside climbing and courtyard walking. Wear flat shoes with good traction. A filled container adds weight, so leave Nine-Dragon Spring until the end and return along the gentler slope. If you feel unwell, head back to the exit first.
Water and meals
There is no dependable specialty dining near the temple gate. Vendors may sell water containers, and you can bring your own. Even if you do not plan to collect spring water, bring water and a simple meal from Taihuai. Food options are more reliable back in the central area after the visit.
Etiquette and safety
Nine-Dragon Spring, the halls, and the pagoda are part of an active temple environment. Keep quiet while collecting water and follow the queue and container instructions. The archway and steps are both protected features and passageways: do not touch the carvings, avoid slippery edges in rain or snow, and leave the uphill and downhill routes clear when taking photos.