The trail to Tiantai Peak — at 1,325 meters the highest accessible point on Jiuhua Mountain — is the most demanding and most rewarding walking route on the mountain. The ascent from the main monastery complex takes three to four hours at a moderate pace, climbing through forest zones from subtropical broadleaf to pine, passing through the celebrated Zhuhai bamboo section, and emerging above the treeline on the rocky upper ridge.
The summit view encompasses the full spread of the mountain's nine main peaks — giving the "nine glories" of the name their best physical expression — and on clear days extends far across the Yangtze plain below. The descent can be varied by taking the western trail through the Fenghuang (Phoenix) valley, which adds another hour but passes several smaller shrines and viewpoints. Start early if you want the summit to yourself.