Gaoming Temple occupies a dramatic position high on Tiantai Mountain's northern slopes, set against a cliff face with views down into forested valleys. Founded in the Song dynasty and rebuilt repeatedly over the centuries, it is less visited than Guoqing Temple and has a more contemplative atmosphere — the monks here follow a stricter practice, and the complex sees far fewer organized tour groups.
The temple is known for its Chan Buddhist lineage and for the austere clarity of its halls, which lack the decorative density of the larger monastery below. The walk up from the valley takes about ninety minutes through old pine forest, passing a series of stone inscriptions carved into cliff faces along the path. It can be combined with a loop route that traverses the upper ridgeline and descends via one of the mountain's western waterfalls.