Jizhu Mountain

Jizhu Mountain(Chicken-Foot Mountain), 110 km northeast of Dali, is a major attraction for Buddhist pilgrims, both Chinese and Tibetan. At the time of the Qing dynasty there were approximately 100 temples on the mountain and somewhere in the vicinity of 5,000 resident monks. The Cultural Revolution's anarchic assault on the traditional past did away with much that was of interest on the mountain, although renovation work on the temples has been going on since 1979.

Today it is estimated that more than 150,000 tourists and pilgrims clamber up the mountain every year to watch the sunrise. The Golden Summit is at a cool 3240 m so you will need some warm clothing.

Sights along the way include Zhusheng Temple, the most important temple on the mountain, about an hour's walk up from the bus stop at Shazhi.

Just before the last ascent is the Magnificent Head Gate. At the summit is Lengyan Pagoda, a 10-tier Tang-dynasty pagoda that was restored in 1927, and there is basic accommodation at Jinding Temple next to the pagoda, a sleeping bag might be a good idea at this altitude.

A popular option for making the ascent is to hire a pony. Travellers who have done the trip claim it's a lot of fun. A cable car to the summit is a good way, too.