Mount Wutai: The chanting of Buddhist chants in a refreshing and beautiful place

Mount Wutai is the place of Manjushri Bodhisattva's sanctuary and a cool summer retreat. For three days and two nights, in the Buddhist chants of Taihuai Town, I sought a place to cool both body and mind.

At the heart of Taihuai Town, Xiantong Temple, its bronze hall and pagoda glow in the sunlight, is the largest ancient temple in the mountain. Next door, the Bodhisattva stands atop Vulture Peak. Climbing 108 stone steps, you can look back at the temples scattered like chess pieces.

If you have good stamina, you can climb Dailuo Peak, also called the 'Small Morning Terrace,' and worship all five directions of Manjushri. On both sides of the stone steps, prayer flags flutter in the air. After reaching the top, you can look down upon the terrace, where incense and mist intertwine, and worldly thoughts are half scattered by the wind.

The true coolness is at Dongtai Wanghai Peak, where you climb the mountain at dawn to wait for the sunrise. In July, you still have to wear a coat here; wildflowers dot the meadows, a sea of clouds spreads beneath your feet, and when the sun rises, the entire ridge is dyed golden-green.

In the evening, I returned to town to listen to Buddhist chants, the sound of wooden fish and chanting flowing down the valley. I found a vegetarian restaurant, where a bowl of mushroom noodles was light and sweet, more comforting than any big fish or meat.

The coolness of Mount Wutai is not just about the temperature, but also about the noise reduction of your mindset. When you stand in front of an unnamed small temple for a long time, you suddenly don't want to leave—this is probably the true meaning of "coolness."