Jinyun Mountian

 We spent an entire Saturday visiting this mountain.  Unfortunately it was very foggy and we did not have the best views, nor did we go into the Hot springs.

Jinyun Mountain is located along the bank of Wenling Gorge, Jialing River. It is about 60 kilometers away from urban Chongqing. Jinyun Mountain, mini Three Gorges of Jialing River and Fishing Castle in Hechuan are all listed as national natural scenic area.
 
Jinyun Mountain scenic area covers several scenic spots such as the mountain itself, Northern Hot Spring, Fishing Castle in Hechuan and natural Jialing River Scenery along Beibei and Fishing castle. It is known as mini Mount Emei for Clouds Sea, dense forest, agreeable weather and quiet environment. It is a ideal place to watch the sunrise and cloudy sky. You could enjoy the shade in summer and have a spectacular view of changing fog. Evergreen broadleaved trees meet your eyes almost in every corner of the mountain.

Jinyun Mountain is one of national nature reserves. The weather is agreeable with abundant rainfall. The forest covers an area of more than 1,300 hectares. Jinyun Mountain boasts for it high percentage of vegetation. More than 1,900 subtropical plants could be found here, 24 of which belong to rare plant protected by the nation. Metasequoia glyptostroboides,larix mas tersiana and sinensis are even more rare in the world. The mountain is hence called a "world's botanical garden.” There are high ancient trees and green bamboo in the mountain. Temples, towers, pavilions and historic sites in different dynasties are scattered around, adding more time-honored flavor to the environment.

From north to south are the Zhaori Peak, the Censer Peak, the Lion Peak, the Juyun Peak, and the Yuanxiao Peak, the Lotus Peak, the Pagoda Peak, the Yujian Peak and the Xizhao Peak. Among them, Yujian Peak claims the highest altitude, 1,050 meters above sea level. The Lion Peak is most steep and imposing. The splendid view of sunrise and Cloud Sea at Lion Peak is almost as magnificent as that inMt.Tai. Rest of peaks has its own features.

Jinyun Mountain is also famous as Buddhist sacred land in Northern Sichuan area with a history of more than 1,500 years. Jinyun Temple was originally built in 423, and renamed as Xiangsi Temple, Chongsheng Temple and Chongjiao Temple afterwards. Emperors in different dynasties attached great importance to its existence. There is private school (Jinyun School) run by the Temple.24 scrolls of Buddhism doctrines cited by Emperor Taizong of Song have been left in the Temple. The relief sculpture” Pig turning into dragon" on the Stone screen wall outside the temple was made in the Six Dynasty. Stone sculpture of Heavenly King unearthed is said to be made in Liang or Beizhou Dynasty.