The sacred mountain tradition is very old in China, and I am not quite clear about its origin, but it should not be considered as a type of animism, since ancient Chinese do not think the mountain possess a distinct spiritual essence. The sacred mountains may be more considered as some special place to communicate with Heaven, where the emperor will offer sacrifices to heaven and earth every year. The sacred moutain system is very complicated since it was borrowed by later religion like Buddhism and Taoism. One of the value in architecture and landescape that sacred mountains in China is presenting a way of how artificial architectures and natural environments can coexist harmoniously. It is not completely natural, nor completely anthropogenic, but the two unite into a one.
However, most temples in many sacred mountains were destroyed and are newly built, which are usually worse than the original.
However, most temples in many sacred mountains were destroyed and are newly built, which are usually worse than the original.