Research on Ideal Landscape Models of Mount Wutai

The models of traditional ideal landscapes show ancient people’s understanding of the “fairyland”. In order to study the models of an ideal landscape, this research begins with the artistic conception of Mount Wutai. Through historical data collection, field investigation and terrain modeling, it discusses ideal landscape models and their characteristics with reference to Mount Wutai from two perspectives: the Chinese traditional ideal landscape model and the Buddhist ideal landscape model. The topographical pattern of Mount Wutai reflects the holy mountain model, the ideal space model of geomancy, the “cool world” model, and the “five directions layout” model in traditional Chinese culture and Buddhist culture. The terrain features of the “five directions layout” and the Manjuri belief space constitute the unique Buddhist ideal landscape characteristics of Mount Wutai, whose landscape model of widespread influences was reconstructed. The transmission of Mount Wutai’s ideal landscape model as representative of ancient Chinese landscape culture serves as a reference for research on the ideal landscape models of famous scenic mountain areas and the protection and cultural transmission of Chinese contemporary landscape heritage.