Xianyue Mountain-Tianzhu Temple

2 min read

Xianyue Mountain is one of Xidmen’s larger range of hills，being a barrier between downtown and the Huli District.It offers a leisurely all-day，or a brisk half day outing.The use of a car to get to the temple can make the journey considerably shorter if time is limited.There are several ways to get to the temple，the easies being up Qidoyue Rd ，which is an extension of the larger Lidnyue Rd. ，which can be found at the farthest eastern point of Yundang Lagoon，crossing Hubin North Road.Buses 13，31 and 33 also turn the corner of Lidnyue and Xianyue Roads.The road can be climbed on foot，but there is an off-road shortcut where the road first turns to go up the mountain.There is a“no lighting fires in the forest”sign in Chinese by a lane which is the only indicator of the entrance to the road.Once you reach the top of this shortcut，you rejoin the vehicle road just below the temple.The temple area is a busy one，with an enormous constructionsite begun for a major new temple.The present ones are a mixture of makeshift andelderly buildings doing a brisk trade in ancestor worship with copious amounts of holy money going up in smoke.A map and plan of the new temple are on display.

Toilets are rudimentary，though there’s a new one built but not open yet further up the hill.

If you want to continue on to the wonderfully constructed walk to the western end of the range，go on to the left（east）beyond the temple.There are several lookouts and trails leading off from the main track，including one which overlooks the city from an attractive pavilion.You’1l also notice several“scientific experiments”among the trees，collecting insect samples and warning of poisonous contents.At the farthest point you’1l come to an unsignposted collection of paths.To get down the mountain at this point，take the path on the right（Huli side）and you’ll eventually emerge at a staircase at the back of a residential unit.Follow the road ahead，turn left and then right at a jeep training ground，and you’11 find yourself out on a bypass road that goes under the Haicang Bridge approaches.The number 15 bus calls in just to your right and will take you all the way back through Xiamen city to Xiamen University.

Chief Attractions

1.One of the largest downtown hills，offering excellent views of both the city and port sides of the hill.It can keep you occupied for a whole leisurely day if you take some food and drink and occupy one of the small pavilions either at the temple or along the path towards the Dongdu end of the range.

2.This is a busy temple with many devotees carrying out traditional worship

activities.

3.There are several side paths that can be explored if you have time.