Since 2015, the palace has been the shrine for the world's only parietal relic of Buddha (the skull of Shakyamuni), making Niushoushan a sacred location for Buddhists.

Instead, he invited Emperor Yuan to gaze southward from Xuanyang Gate toward Niushou Mountain, where the two peaks stood majestically opposite each other.

[1] In the 17th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Dharma Master Farong, praised as the “Bodhidharma of the Eastern Summer,” founded a meditation chamber in the northern rock of Youqi Temple.

Located on the southern slopes of Niushou Mountain, they are the largest imperial tombs of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period and are now designated as national key cultural heritage sites.

[1] In the 8th year of the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty, the renowned navigator Zheng He died on the west coast of India in Calicut and was granted burial at Niushou Mountain in Nanjing.

[1] Niushou Mountain is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery, often praised as “Springtime Niushou.” Rich in history and culture, it is a site of great significance: the location of Yue Fei’s resistance against the Jin dynasty and the final resting place of Zheng He.

[3] Key landmarks and attractions at Niushou Mountain include: In April of the 4th year of Jianyan Period in Southern Song Dynasty, Jin Wuzhu led an army and approached Jiankang（present Nanjing）.

[5] The lower section features a lotus throne composed of 56 Flying Apsara Bodhi gates and 56 cloud-patterned ruyi columns.

Its layout is inspired by the Tang Dynasty Vajradhatu Mandala, depicting a sacred scene of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas offering blessings to each other.

The corridor’s design centers on the twelve zodiac signs and their associated guardian Buddhas, with each statue showcasing unique hand gestures.

The corridor also features porcelain panels illustrating the Buddha’s life stories, lacquered sculptures of the Sixteen Bodhisattvas of the Auspicious Eon, and colorful caisson paintings.

[citation needed] On the eighth floor, a bronze-cast Foding Vajra Bell is inscribed with the full text of the Diamond Sutra, written by Master Longxiang.

It features a horseshoe-shaped stone mausoleum made of bluestone, with a tomb cover carved with yunjin and lotus patterns, along with Arabic inscriptions.

Zheng He’s contributions to Chinese and global maritime history, advancements in ancient navigation technology, promotion of international trade, and fostering of cultural exchange remain unparalleled.

In the first year of the Yongle era, he became a disciple of the monk Yao Daoyan, receiving the Bodhisattva Precepts and adopting the Dharma name “Fujixiang” .