Discover the history and culture of four renowned Taoist sanctuaries

Mount Longhu: The Cradle of Taoism

Mount Longhu, located 20 kilometers south of Yingtan City in Jiangxi Province, is the place where the first celestial master, Zhang Daoling, initially practiced Taoist alchemy and is considered the ancestral court of the Zhengyi sect of Taoism.

Origin of the Name:

• One statement suggests that the two peaks stand facing each other, resembling a dragon and a tiger.
• Another claims that Zhang Daoling refined the Nine Heavens Divine Elixir here, and upon its completion, a dragon and tiger appeared.

Scenic Beauty:

Mount Longhu boasts beautiful and unique scenery, known as "resembling Wuyi in shape and Guilin in spirit." It is the 32nd blessed place of Daoist Dongtian Blessed place.

Scenic view of Mount Longhu

Historical Architecture:

• During its peak, it had ten great Taoist palaces, eighty-one Taoist temples, fifty Taoist academies, and ten Taoist nunneries.
• Today, only the Tianshi Mansion remains intact.

Mount Qingcheng: The Serene Cave Heaven

Qingcheng Mountain is located about 15 kilometers southwest of Dujiangyan city in Sichuan province, backed by the snowy Tibetan mountains and overlooking the fertile fields of Chengdu.

The Beautiful Name:

The mountain is encircled by evergreen forests, shaped like a city wall, earning it the name "Qingcheng."

Natural Landscape:

• The mountain is lush with greenery all year round.
• It features dense vines, deep ravines, and unpredictable peaks.

The serene environment of Mount Qingcheng

Taoist Heritage:

• Celestial Master Zhang Daoling founded Taoism in Heming Mountain, and Mount Qingcheng became a major area for his teachings.
• The Taoist lineage has flourished here for over a thousand years.

Mount Wudang: The Most Famous Mountain In The World

Mount Wudang, also known as Taihe Mountain and Xuanyue, is located within Danjiangkou City in Hubei Province. It connects to the Qinling mountain range in the west and faces the Shennongjia region in the south.

The Magnificent Scale:

• The mountain encompasses seventy-two peaks, thirty-six cliffs, and twenty-four streams.
• The palaces on Mount Wudang are magnificent, with huge amount of believers

The grand architecture of Mount Wudang

Cultural Heritage:

• It once had the most grandiose Taoist palace architecture and the largest religious organization in the country.
• Mount Wudang is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO.

Mount Qiyun: The Little Wudang of Jiangnan

Mount Qiyun, historically known as Baiyue, is located near Yanqian Town, 15 kilometers west of Xiuning County in Anhui Province. It was once listed as one of the four famous Taoist mountains in China.

A Famous Taoist Mountain:

• As early as the Qianyuan period (758-760 AD) of the Tang dynasty, Taoist monks lived in seclusion here.
• By the Ming dynasty, Taoist activities had become increasingly prosperous, imitating Mount Wudang.

Cultural Treasures:

• The mountain has a vast collection of steles and cliff carvings.
• These carvings feature various styles of calligraphy and are of high artistic value.

Cliff carvings of Mount Qiyun

Each of these four Taoist mountains has unique characteristics, a long history, and rich cultural heritage.

 Which Taoist mountain would you most like to visit? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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