Chinese Buddhism's birthplace remains a place of pilgrimage

Zhejiang province's Tiantai county is celebrated as the source of what's believed to be China's first indigenous school of Buddhism.

Guoqing Temple in today's Tiantai Mountains Scenic Area was the sect's initial monastic site. It was founded by Sui Dynasty (AD 581-618) monk Zhiyi, who's said to be the first Chinese to devise a systematic and complete Buddhist theology.

The Tiantai School peaked in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) when it was exported to Japan and Korea. Many Japanese and Koreans visit today.