Yajishan Temples, Pinggu | The temples atop the mountain, seen from the back trail
The temples atop the mountain, seen from the back trail.

Yajishan Temple Circuit

Climb the steep stairs to the top of Yaji Mountain, stopping along the way to explore the various temples and shrines on the way to the top, and then take a walk through the hills to complete the circuit. Includes a meal at a village restaurant after the hike.

Level 3
A long stair climb to the temples at the top. 3–4 hours of hiking over approx. 9km. (Can I do it?)

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On this trip we're going to add a little extra hiking to our usual inspection of the temples at Yajishan, starting with the big stair climb to the top of Yaji Mountain. On the way up to the top, we'll catch our breath by stopping to look about the various temples and shrines either side of the stairs. After a good look at the two temples right at the top, we'll take a walk through the hills behind the temples to complete the circuit.

The two temples on the peak of Yajishan, seen from the entrance of the middle temple
The two temples on the peak of Yajishan, seen from the entrance of the middle temple. (Click for larger image)

The first temple is at the foot of the mountain and was originally built in the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD). This temple was destroyed by the Japanese army during the war, and since been rebuilt.

There are another two temples at the top of the mountain – one built during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 AD), and the other built during the Qing Dynasty (1644–1911 AD). Both of these temples had to be rebuilt after the war as well. Right now only one of them is open to visitors, but it looks very impressive perched on top of a peak.

The Qing Dynasty temple has quite an interesting story. It was used by Qing royalty, and the funds for its construction were raised by an old lady who lived in the nearby area. The old lady also helped out in the construction of the temple. There is a shrine to her in the temple, as well as records of visits by Qing Emperors.

The temples here are a popular religious attraction for people in the Pinggu district. It is quite common to see people burning incense, and sometimes it's possible to see a full religious ceremony.

Yaji Mountain is named for its similarity to a hairstyle that was popular for young girls a long time ago. If you see the mountain from the right angle (and use a little imagination) you will be able to see the resemblance – think of the mountain as the head, and the two temples at the top of the mountain as the two cute pigtails sticking out from either side.

Part of the diorama representing Taoist hell
Part of the diorama representing Taoist hell. (Click for larger image)

In one of the temples on the way up, there are two side halls with dioramas of Daoist hell, complete with horse-headed guards carrying axes and models that depict the several hundred ways that you will be tortured if you are not a good Daoist.

Hiking at Yajishan

After we've looked about the temples, we'll follow an old trail that will take us around the back of the mountain, walking a path that winds through the peaks. We'll stop for a break at a nice lookout point and then follow steps down past the hotel and out on to the flat land at the foot of the mountain. Farm trails and little concrete roads will bring us back to the start point via the village, and we'll have a big meal at a village restaurant before heading back to the city.

COVID-19 and participation precautions

The current precautions are minimal. Please read in full here: Operating hikes under COVID-19 precautions

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Photos and trip reports: Yajishan Temple Circuit

  1. Yajishan Temple Circuit, 2022/07/17

    Yajishan Temple Circuit, 2022/07/17

    On a hot day we hiked up all the stairs to the top temples at Yajishan for views of mountains all around—see 18 photos from the temples and the hiking trail around the back.
  2. Yajishan Temple Fair, Pinggu District, 2019/05/12

    Yajishan Temple Fair, Pinggu District, 2019/05/12

    We visited Yajishan for a hike and a look at the temple fair—the fun of the temple fair was dampened by a bit of rain, and the hike took us through an area recently burned in a wildfire. See a set of 17 photos.

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