[2025 Kaifeng Attraction] Travel Guide for Yanqing Taoist Temple (Updated Feb)

Yanqing Temple, the first Taoist temple in Central China, is the best-preserved Yuan Dynasty building in Kaifeng! Its main building, the Jade Emperor Pavilion, is the only surviving Yuan Dynasty relic, with a history of nearly 800 years. It faces south and is divided into three levels: upper, middle, and lower, each with its own unique architectural style. The upper level houses a statue of the Jade Emperor carved from white marble (not visible), the middle level is a solid octagonal shape with green glazed tiles, and the lower level is shaped like a yurt, with walls that gradually taper to a round dome without beams, columns, or stairs, reflecting Mongolian cultural characteristics. In addition, the two Mongolian warriors riding lions and two Westerners on the roof ridge of the Jade Emperor Pavilion are also lifelike. They wear pointed felt hats, boots, and fur clothing with clear patterns. These are all iconic features of the fusion of Han and Mongolian cultures, as well as a clever combination and vivid reflection of Han and Mongolian culture in architectural art. In addition, the lower level of the Jade Emperor Pavilion houses a 1.96-meter-high, 1-ton bronze statue of Zhenwu, cast in 1486. Zhenwu, also known as Xuanwu, is the water god of the north, and was revered as the main god of Wudang during the Ming Dynasty. The Jade Emperor Pavilion was originally built on a high platform, but due to frequent flooding in Kaifeng, it was submerged several times. After nearly 800 years of exposure to the elements, the Jade Emperor Pavilion gradually sank into the ground, buried more than 3 meters deep. On November 21, 2008, the Jade Emperor Pavilion elevation project began, and after more than a year, on January 18, 2010, the Jade Emperor Pavilion was raised above ground level, lifted by 3.1 meters. This elevation not only solved the problem of the pavilion being eroded by groundwater, but also extended its life. Yanqing Temple is small, but exquisite and rich in content. It is one of the three famous Taoist temples in China, along with Baiyun Temple in Beijing and Changdao Temple in Sichuan, and is considered the first Taoist temple in Central China.

Kaifeng, although it is the ancient capital of eight dynasties, has been flooded by the Yellow River several times, and now there are only three real ancient objects on the ground: Fan (po with the second tone) Tower. Fan Tower was built during the Northern Song Dynasty. The biggest highlight is that more than 7,000 Buddha bricks are inlaid inside and outside the tower body, one brick for one Buddha. Unlike the Iron Pagoda mentioned below, Fan Tower was not built by the government; these Buddha bricks were donated by the people at that time. The original Fan Tower had nine levels, but two were destroyed by lightning during the Yuan Dynasty, and four more were demolished during the early Ming Dynasty in the 'scrape away the royal qi' incident, leaving only three levels. A six-level small pagoda was added on top of the three-level platform in the early Qing Dynasty. The Fan Tower has survived lightning strikes⚡️, wars, and floods to this day, which is indeed fortunate. Iron Pagoda. The Iron Pagoda was built during the Northern Song Dynasty and is known as 'the number one pagoda in the world.' The biggest highlight is that it is made of brown glazed bricks (not made of iron, but the color is very similar to cast iron). It is the tallest, oldest, and best-preserved glazed brick pagoda in China. This place was once the royal temple Kaibao Temple, hence it is also known as Kaibao Temple Pagoda. The patterns of apsaras, lions, dragons, and pagoda-guarding beasts on the glazed bricks are clearly visible. The Iron Pagoda does have an underground palace! Yanqing Temple. Yanqing Temple was built during the Yuan Dynasty to commemorate the founder of the Quanzhen School, Wang Chongyang, who preached and died here. The biggest highlight is that the Jade Emperor Pavilion inside the temple was buried more than 3 meters underground (because Kaifeng city was flooded by the Yellow River several times), and after the founding of the People's Republic, it was lifted out of the ground. There is an introduction to the lifting process in the underground palace. A few suggestions: 🅿️ Fan Tower has a small parking lot with about 20 parking spaces. Don't drive to the Iron Pagoda on holidays, as it is close to Wansui Mountain and the Old River Big Night Market, and sometimes entry is restricted🚫. It is also recommended to ride a shared electric bike to Yanqing Temple (actually, we walked there ) 🔥 These three places are not very crowded, the Iron Pagoda has a relatively larger flow of people, but Fan Tower and Yanqing Temple are almost empty, allowing you to enjoy the tranquility. 🎫 For tickets, Fan Tower and Yanqing Temple are included in the Song Dynasty Imperial City pass, while the Iron Pagoda is free. Opposite Yanqing Temple, there is an old Huang family shop, which is probably not the one you want to go to, Old Huang Ji .

This Yanqing Temple by Bao Gong Lake in the old city of Kaifeng, originally named Chongyang Temple, is a Taoist temple built in memory of Wang Chongyang, the founder of the Quanzhen School of Taoism. It is known as one of the three great temples in China, along with Baiyun Temple in Beijing and Changdao Temple in Sichuan. Although the temple is not large, its architecture is worth a look. Architectural highlights: The overall architectural style of the temple is unique, clearly different from other buildings in the Central Plains region. The biggest highlight is the Jade Emperor Pavilion in the temple. The Jade Emperor Pavilion faces south with its back to the north, constructed with green bricks and glazed tiles, with a rigorous and unique structure and brilliant colors. It is a building that cleverly combines a pavilion with a Mongolian yurt, featuring the style of the Yuan Dynasty. The existence of Yanqing Temple has maintained the complete sequence of ancient buildings in Kaifeng since the Song Dynasty, including the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. The building has three floors. Inside the pavilion, there is a bronze statue of Zhenwu, and inside the pavilion, there is a statue of the Jade Emperor carved from Han white jade. Kaifeng is a city suspended over a river, and also a city covered by another city. The Jade Emperor Pavilion has been attacked by the Yellow River floods and silt several times, and it was only after excavation that it was restored to its original appearance. Now, around the Jade Emperor Pavilion, there have been built the Sanqing Hall, side halls, and other antique buildings, but the Jade Emperor Pavilion cannot be entered due to cultural relic protection. Ticket price: 35 yuan. The overall visit time does not exceed one hour, so buying a single ticket is more expensive. It is recommended to buy an 80 yuan pass for 10 attractions in Kaifeng Songdu Imperial City Resort. With this pass, you can visit Wansuishan Da Song Wuxia City, Qifeng Ancient Garden, China Han Garden, Kaifeng Ancient City Wall Scenic Area, Zhou Bridge and Bian River Ruins, Underground War Preparedness Grain Depot, Shanxi Gansu Guild Hall, Yanqing Temple, Fan Tower, and Zhu Xian Town Yue Temple, valid for 5 days. Address: No. 53, Guanqian Street, Gulou District, Kaifeng City. Parking is inconvenient in the old city area, you can park in the Kaifeng Mansion parking lot and then walk over. Nearby attractions: Within 1 kilometer, there are must-visit places in Kaifeng such as Kaifeng Mansion and Daxiangguo Temple, as well as the crowded Gulou Night Market at night. This part of the old city of Kaifeng needs to be arranged for at least 1 day to experience the flavor of the ancient city of Kaifeng.