Chengdu | The first Taoist temple in western Sichuan, a great place to pray and enjoy the autumn.
|The first Taoist temple in western Sichuan, a good place to pray and enjoy the autumn.
Qingyang Palace, the "No. 1 Taoist Temple in Western Sichuan", was first built in the Zhou Dynasty. It is said to be the place where Laozi practiced Taoism. It has gone through more than 2,000 years. The existing buildings were all rebuilt in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and stand in the downtown area of Chengdu. Taoist temples are originally places for spiritual practice, but they are located in the center of the hustle and bustle of society, and they protect the peace and tranquility of the area.
During the Tang Dynasty, two generations of emperors used it as a temporary palace. During the Anshi Rebellion, Emperor Xuanzong fled to Shu and lived there. When Huang Chao rebelled, Emperor Xizong of Tang fled to Sichuan and camped in Guanzhong. Legend has it that a jade brick was unearthed in the temple, engraved with the seal script "Taishang Pingzhonghezai". With the help of Taishang Laojun, Emperor Xizong was very pleased and gave him two million coins and changed the name of "Xuanzhong Temple" to "Qingyang Palace".
🉐Interior layout:
The two central axes are both about 27° north-east, the same as the orientation of old Chengdu.
The main axis from south to north is "Yuxian Bridge, Big Dipper Pillars (only three remain), Qingyang Main Street, Screen Wall (destroyed), Old Mountain Gate (Ming Dynasty structure, demolished)
There are Lingzu Hall at the mountain gate, Hunyuan Hall, Bagua Pavilion, Sanqing Hall, Doumu Hall, Yuhuang Tower (with two earthen platforms, the Birth Platform and the Dharma Platform on the left and right), and Tangwang Hall.
🉐Recommendation reason
Qingyang Palace is the only Taoist temple dedicated to the emperor
The treasure of the town - the blue sheep, it is said that touching it will bring good luck
The Guan Nei Ji diagram is the only correct Tai Chi diagram.
The most precious cultural relic in the temple, Daozang Jiyao, is the most complete version preserved in the world.
Doumu Temple is the oldest existing house in Chengdu, the only wooden structure from the Ming Dynasty in the city, and one of the only two buildings with double eaves and hanging roofs in the country (the other is the Animal Slaughtering Pavilion at Xiannongtan in Beijing).
Among them, the Bagua Pavilion is the most complete and most luxurious building, enshrining a statue of Laozi riding a green ox.
🉐Main temples:
Mountain Gate, Octagonal Pavilion, Sanqing Hall, Hunyuan Hall
Doumu Hall, Jade Emperor Tower, Tangwang Hall, Erxian Temple
🉐Taoist blessing kneeling etiquette method
Hand gesture: (left hand on top, right hand on bottom)
Use your left thumb to pinch the base of your right ring finger.
Pinch the middle finger of your right hand
Put your fists together to form a Tai Chi shape
bow down:
Raise your fists, but don't go above your eyebrows or below your chest.
When praying on the mat, spread your hands and cross them, with the right hand below and the left hand above. Then, touch the back of your hands with your head, kowtow three times, stand up and bow again, practicing the "three kowtows and nine bows" ritual.
🉐Visa application process:
Address for drawing lots: Sanguan Temple
Hold your hands in a fist salute and kneel down sincerely (no fortune-telling is needed)
Silently think about what you want to ask, one lot for each question, and draw/shake a lot from the lot holder
(Remember the number on the lottery ticket and put it back into the lottery box)
Pay 20 yuan per lot at the lottery pick-up place, and go to the Taoist priests on both sides to interpret the lot after receiving it.
🉐Vegetarian food:
Vegetarian noodles and vegetarian tea are very unique, it is recommended to try them
Detailed address: No. 9, Section 2, West First Ring Road, Qingyang District, Chengdu
💵Tickets: 10 yuan (half price with student ID)
Opening hours: 8:00-17:00