Mount Fanjing, the highest peak of the Wuling Mountains, in southwest China

© Keitma/Alam

A peaceful peak. Cloudy with a chance of enlightenment

While it didn't become a UNESCO World Heritage Site until 2018, Mount Fanjing (also known as Fanjingshan) has been a sacred and tranquil site for Buddhists for centuries. At 2,569 metres, Mount Fanjing is the highest peak of the Wuling mountain range in southwest China's Guizhou province. The mountain is believed to be a place in which one can reach their spiritual enlightenment. While many of the Buddhist temples built here have been destroyed, several remain, including the Temple of the Buddha and the Temple of Maitreya. Those two temples, linked by a small bridge, are located on top of Red Cloud Golden Peak, the rocky 'thumb' we're looking at here. In addition to the area's history, the mix of cloud, fog, and light create a calming atmosphere and an air of mystery.