Jizu Mountain (鸡足山) is one of China’s ten sacred Buddhist mountains, located in Binchuan County, Dali Prefecture, about 86 km from Dali city center and 30 km from Binchuan town
. Its highest peak, Tianzhu Peak, rises to 3,248 meters
. The mountain gets its name from its distinctive shape — three peaks in front and one ridge behind, resembling a chicken’s foot.
🏛️ Religious Significance
Jizu Mountain is revered as the ashram of Kassapa (迦叶尊者), one of Buddhism’s most important figures. It is a major pilgrimage site where Han Chinese monks visit Huayan Temple and Tibetan lamas visit the Sleeping Buddha Temple
. The mountain has been a center of Buddhist worship for centuries, with temples and pagodas scattered across its slopes.
🗺️ Main Attractions
| Site | Description |
|---|---|
| Jinding Temple (金顶寺) | Built at the summit of Tianzhu Peak. The ultimate destination — from here you can see sunrise to the east, sea of clouds to the south, Erhai Lake to the west, and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the north
. |
| Huashou Gate (华首门) | A sacred cliff-face gateway near the summit, associated with Kassapa. |
| Kassapa Hall (迦叶殿) | Dedicated to Kassapa, an important stop on the pilgrimage route. |
| Zhusheng Temple (祝圣寺) | Located at mid-mountain, the main parking and transit hub. Most visitors start here. |
| Huideng Nunnery (慧灯庵) | A serene nunnery along the hiking path. |
| Xianghui Street (香会街) | A small street near the summit with basic guesthouses and vegetarian food. |
🎫 Tickets & Transport (On-Mountain)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Entrance Fee | CNY 55–80 (varies by season; low season Nov–Feb: ~CNY 65; peak season Mar–Oct: ~CNY 80) |
| Cable Car | Up: CNY 45; Down: CNY 30; Round-trip: CNY 75 |
| Shuttle Bus | Round-trip: CNY 20; One-way: CNY 10 |
| Opening Hours | 08:00–18:00 (08:30–17:30 in low season) |
💡 Combo tickets are available online: entrance + round-trip cable car + shuttle bus from around CNY 153–185
.
🚶 Recommended Routes
Route 1: Cable Car Up + Hike Down (Active) Zhusheng Temple → Shuttle Bus → Cable Car → Jinding Temple → Huashou Gate → Kassapa Hall → Huideng Nunnery → Xuyun Temple → Shizhong Temple → Zhusheng Temple Parking
Route 2: Full Cable Car (Easy / Family-Friendly) Zhusheng Temple → Shuttle Bus → Cable Car → Jinding Temple → Huashou Gate → Cable Car Down
Route 3: Pilgrim Hike (Traditional) From the mountain gate at “Lingshan Yihui Fang” (灵山一会坊), hike the full 8 km trail to Jinding Temple. You can also ride a horse partway
.
🚌 How to Get There
| From | Method | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Dali Ancient Town | Direct Shuttle Bus | Departs South Gate Tourist Center at 8:30 AM, returns at 4:00–4:30 PM. Round-trip: CNY 85 (transport only) |
| Dali (Xiaguan) | Bus + Transfer | Take bus from Dali East Bus Station to Binchuan, then transfer to a local van (7-seater) to Zhusheng Temple. The van leaves when full |
| Dali (Xiaguan) | Direct Bus | Some direct buses to Jizu Mountain from East Bus Station at 7:30/8:30/9:30/10:30 AM, ~CNY 35 |
| Self-Drive | ~1.5 hours from Dali | In low season, cars can drive to Zhusheng Temple parking. In peak season (Spring Festival, National Day, May Day), cars may need to park at the gate and transfer to scenic shuttles |
🌄 Best Experiences
-
Sunrise at Jinding Temple: Stay overnight on the mountain (guesthouses near Jinding or Xianghui Street) and watch the sunrise from the summit — described as “breathtaking”
.
-
Four Views from the Summit:
-
East: Sunrise
-
South: Sea of clouds
-
West: Erhai Lake
-
North: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Lijiang)
-
-
Vegetarian Breakfast: If you stay overnight, temples and guesthouses typically serve simple vegetarian breakfast according to Buddhist tradition
.
📅 Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights |
|---|---|
| March–May | Wildflowers bloom, pleasant weather, many Bai festivals. Considered the best season |
| September–November | Clear skies, frequent sea of clouds, crisp autumn air |
| Spring Festival | Peak pilgrimage season — very crowded but culturally intense |
⚠️ Important Tips
-
Temperature: At 3,248m, it can be cold even in summer, especially early morning and evening. Bring a windproof jacket and warm layers
.
-
Wild Monkeys: Macaques are common on the trails. Keep food and valuables secure, and do not feed or provoke them
.
-
Temple Etiquette: Dress modestly, speak quietly, and respect Buddhist customs.
-
Footwear: Wear non-slip hiking shoes — temple steps and mountain paths can be steep and wet.
-
Timing: If taking the shuttle bus from Dali, note the return departs at 4:00–4:30 PM. Plan your descent accordingly.
🗓️ Nearby & Combo Trips
-
Weishan Ancient Town (birthplace of Nanzhao Kingdom, ~1.5 hrs south)
-
Dali Ancient Town + Erhai Lake (base for your trip)
-
Shaxi Ancient Town (Tea Horse Road town, ~2.5 hrs)
-
Lijiang (can be combined in a multi-day route)