1. Overview
Xuedou Mountain is located in the northwest of Xikou Town, Fenghua District, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province. As the highest peak of a branch of the Siming Mountains, it rises 800 meters above sea level and covers nearly 100 square kilometers. With a subtropical monsoon climate, four distinct seasons, and over 90% forest coverage, it is a natural oxygen bar.
Xuedou Mountain has a long history. It was known as the "Penglai on the Sea" as early as the Han Dynasty. Emperor Renzong of the Song Dynasty once dreamed of visiting this mountain, and Emperor Lizong personally inscribed the words "Famous Mountain of Dreams," making it famous across the country. The mountain's name comes from the "Xuedou" (snow cave) on Rufeng Peak, where spring water gushes out of a cave looking like snow or milk—a truly unique sight. As one of China's five great Buddhist mountains and the principal bodhimanda of Maitreya Bodhisattva, Xuedou Mountain centers around Xuedou Temple. Founded in the Jin Dynasty and flourishing during the Tang and Song dynasties, the temple has a history of over 1,700 years. Emperor Zhenzong of the Northern Song Dynasty bestowed upon it the name "Xuedou Zisheng Zen Temple," and during the Southern Song Dynasty, it ranked among the "Five Mountains and Ten Temples." In 2008, the world's tallest seated bronze Maitreya Buddha statue was completed here, standing 56.74 meters tall with magnificent grandeur.
2. Getting There & Around
Getting there: Take the high-speed train to Ningbo Station or Fenghua Station. From the South Square of Ningbo Station, take bus 988 (about 1.5 hours) directly to the Xikou Visitor Center; from Fenghua Station, it takes about 40 minutes by bus. If driving, navigate to "Xuedou Mountain Visitor Center"—the scenic area has several parking lots. Ningbo Lishe International Airport is about a 1-hour drive away.
Getting around: The scenic area is vast, and private cars are not allowed up the mountain. All visitors must transfer to the scenic area shuttle buses at the visitor center. The shuttles cover core attractions such as Qianzhang Rock, Sanyin Pool, and Xuedou Temple. The transportation pass is bundled with the admission ticket and is a mandatory expense.
3. Highlights
Buddhist pilgrimage: Xuedou Mountain is the bodhimanda of Maitreya, and the open-air Maitreya Buddha statue is its core landmark. Visitors can climb 332 steps to the Buddha's base to "embrace the Buddha's feet." Inside Xuedou Temple, you'll also find cultural relics such as a thousand-year-old pair of ginkgo trees and the "General Nanmu Tree" planted by Zhang Xueliang.
Natural wonders: Qianzhang Rock Waterfall drops 186 meters and is hailed as the "No. 1 Waterfall in Eastern Zhejiang." Sanyin Pool consists of three connected upper, middle, and lower pools with crystal-clear water. Xufu Rock Waterfall drops 116 meters, where you can try via ferrata climbing and walk the glass skywalk. Miaogao Terrace offers a superb vantage point for panoramic views of Tingxia Lake.
A blend of ancient and modern: The Maitreya Holy Altar was transformed from an abandoned quarry. Immersive experiences like the Blessing Echo Valley and the Time Corridor incorporate tech elements, while the Maitreya Museum uses holographic projections to display precious artifacts, making it a popular photo spot.
