During the reign of the Emperor Mingdi of the Eastern Han dynasty (25-220), people started to cut into the mountain and build temples there. In later dynasties building and repairing of the temple continued, which resulted in a large complex of ancient structures. In its heyday, the mountain had over 300 temples housing more than 10,000 monks. Today, 47 of these temples are still in good condition. Within their walls is a rich legacy of over 100,000 superb sculptures and paintings, along with a great quantity of Buddhist cultural relics.

With a history of 1,200 years, the main hall of the Nanchan Temple on the mountain, which houses 17 painted figurines, is the earliest wooden structure of its kind preserved in China today. And it's a real treasure of China. Its eaves stretch out, and the hall has not a single column. Its outer appearance looks simple and its structure concise. The smallest of all the temples in the Wutai Mountain area is Nanchan Temple near Lijiazhuang Village, 22 kilometers southwest of Wutai. The Buddha statues in the hall are vividly sculpted and lifelike, and in terms of Tang Dynasty art, they are similar in style to those found in the Mogao Grottos in Dunhuang.

The Big White Pagoda for Buddha's Sarira, the symbol of the Mt. Wutai, is said to have been built there before the Emperor Mingdi of the Eastern Han dynasty. The pagoda, Nepalese style in shape, has a base circumference of 83.3 meters and is 75.3 meters high. Inside the pagoda, there is small India-made iron stupa, where some remains of Sakyamuni are kept.

Xiantong Temple is the oldest temple in China. Nestled in the center of the town of Taihuai, the First Guesthouse of Wutai Mountain was once the west compound of Xiantong Temple; even today an entrance connects it with the temple proper. Originally built in the year 68 during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it has been placed under state protection. Covering eight hectares, the temple has 400 halls, the biggest on Mt.Wutai. Inside, there is a pure copper hall cast in the Ming Dynasty, engraved with fine patterns and bronze Buddhist figurines. On the sides, two 13-storied bronze towers, each with a height of eight meters, are covered with cast Buddhist figurines, carved patterns and various inscriptions. The two towers and the engraved decorations were also made in the Ming dynasty. In front of the temple stands a tall wooden bell tower with a huge 5000-kilogram bronze bell cast during the Ming Dynasty(1368-1644). It is the largest bell on the mountain. The hall of Buddhist Scriptures in the temple keeps more than 200 pieces of Buddhist works. The temple also boasts other famous ancient architectures such as the Hall of Measureless.

Numerous temples on Mt. Wutai contain many relics and have different features. In Luohou Temple, one can see the wonder of "Buddha appears amid flowers". Shuxing Temple has the largest halls and statues. Jinge Temple has gilded copper tiles. Bishan Temple is famous for its Burmese-made jade Buddhas. The picture of "Bodhisattva Sending Offsprings" at Nanshan Temple is done with fine skills, and the temple also has 84 frescoes engraved in the Ming dynasty. Youguo Temple is full of engravings, and has more than 1,160 pieces of carvings. Zhenhai Temple, which had Zhang Jia Living Buddha from Tibet as its abbot, has the finest Lamaist pagoda. Longquan Temple is famous for its three white marble structures: screen wall, gate way and pagoda.

Besides the religious aspect, the beauty of rising and falling ridges of mountains, exotic rocks, crisscrossed gullies, crystalline waters and towering green forests also gives Mt. Wutai its reputation as a colorful and notable tourist resort.

The beautiful scenery of Mt. Wutai is a masterpiece of exquisite acts of nature, predominantly visible over the 5 main peaks: Wanghai Peak in the east, Guayue Peak in the west, Jinxiu Peak in the south, Yedou Peak in the north, and the central Cuiyan Peak.