Sights in Qingcheng Mountain

To the left of the front mountain gate, you can see Jianfu Palace. Built during the founding years of the Tang Dynasty, its most striking feature is the 394-character couplet on the pillars within the hall, hailed as "a unique feature of Qingcheng." Jianfu Palace's ancient architecture exudes a sense of history. While its exterior is unremarkable, the interior is truly breathtaking, with red lanterns adorning the grounds, creating a striking contrast against the vibrant greenery. Surrounded by towering cliffs and lush greenery, it feels like stepping into a painting. If you're pressed for time, you can burn incense and pay your respects there.

Tianshi Cave, also known as the Guchang Taoist Temple, is one of the most important Taoist temples in Qingcheng Mountain and renowned throughout China. Built during the Daye period of the Sui Dynasty, Tianshi Cave is surrounded by mountains on three sides, creating a tranquil and tranquil environment. Legend has it that Zhang Daoling, the "Heavenly Master" of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and Sun Simiao and Du Guangting of the Tang Dynasty all practiced Taoism here. Statues of Zhang Daoling and his 30th-generation grandson, Xujing Tianshi, are still enshrined within the temple.

The Five Caves Heaven is located between the Natural Painting Archway and the Heavenly Master Cave. It is a memorial archway that must be passed before climbing the mountain. The surrounding area is particularly quiet. Qingcheng Mountain is known as the "Fifth Cave Heaven" by Taoism.

Located on the ridge of Longju Mountain's Paifanggang Hill, the Natural Painting Pavilion, originally built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, is a ten-cornered, double-eaved pavilion. Reaching it requires a steep flight of stone steps. It serves as a "supply station" along the trail, selling food, though the prices are quite high.

The Ancestral Hall was originally built in the Jin Dynasty, damaged in the late Ming Dynasty, and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that Tang Dynasty poets Du Guangting and Xue Chang, as well as Song Dynasty poet Zhang Yu, all lived in seclusion here. The hall houses statues of Zhenwu Emperor, Dongyue Emperor, Lü Dongbin, and Zhang Sanfeng, as well as murals depicting the Eight Immortals and stone inscriptions of poetry. However, reaching the Ancestral Hall is quite arduous, having been severely damaged by the Wenchuan earthquake. The mountain path is so steep that it's almost daunting. The round-trip journey from the main trail takes about an hour.

Laojun Pavilion, located at the summit of Qingcheng Peak, is a nine-story, tower-shaped pavilion with an octagonal roof, symbolizing the Tai Chi Bagua. Within the pavilion, a statue of Taishang Laojun seated on a lotus is enshrined. Rebuilt after the Wenchuan earthquake, it offers breathtaking views of the beautiful mountain scenery.

Chaoyang Cave is located at the foot of the main peak, Laoxiaoding. The cave is very deep, and water drops occasionally drip from the cave ceiling. This Taoist temple was built in a cave under a steep cliff due to the mountain's terrain, which is very spectacular.

Located on the gentle slopes of Muyu Mountain, north of Zhangren Mountain in Qingcheng District, Yuanming Daomu Tianzun is enshrined. The courtyard stretches four stories deep, housing the Lingzu, Laojun, Doumu, and Sanguan Halls. While Yuanming Palace may not stand out among the numerous Taoist temples in Qingcheng Mountain, its tranquil greenery and sparse population make it a perfect place for quiet relaxation and tranquility, perfect for those who appreciate a peaceful environment.

Shangqing Palace, at over 1,600 meters above sea level, marks the end of the Qingcheng Mountain tour route and the peak of the mountain. The palace houses the "Three Pure Ones"—the Hall of Laojun, the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, and the Hall of Wenwu—as well as numerous ancient buildings and artifacts. Standing here, immersed in the misty mountaintop, one can admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, akin to a Taoist wonderland. Ascending the stone steps behind the palace leads to the "Sun Viewing Pavilion" at the summit of Qingcheng Mountain, offering even more breathtaking views.

Yuecheng Lake is a must-see when climbing the Qingcheng Front Mountain. Flanked by Yuecheng Mountain and Qinglonggang, it offers picturesque scenery. Yuecheng Lake's waters originate from a stream at Laoxiaoding on Qingcheng Mountain, flowing into the open mountain valley and forming a wetland. To access the lake, you must take a boat (5 yuan per person).

The first Taoist temple you pass by on the way up Qingcheng Mountain is dedicated to the "Seven Masters of Quanzhen Taoism." It comprises the Cihang Hall, the Qizhen Hall, and the Wuzu Building. The Cihang Hall is dedicated to the Taoist master Cihang, while the Qizhen Hall honors the seven founders of Quanzhen Taoism: Qiu Chuji, Tan Chuduan, Ma Danyang, Liu Chuxuan, Wang Chuyi, Hao Datong, and Sun Buer. The Wuzu Building honors the five Taoist emperors, including Wu Chongyang.

Tianran Pavilion is a three-story pavilion with an eaves. Its remarkable feature is that it uses tree branches as beams and pillars, with the tree as the main structure, and vines entwined throughout the pavilion. It is truly amazing that a pavilion could be constructed from locally sourced materials. This pavilion is also where Po's biological father appears at the end of the animated blockbuster "Kung Fu Panda 2."

Tai'an Ancient Town is the starting point for the Qingcheng Mountain Back Mountain Scenic Area. In ancient times, it served as a crucial transit point for goods exchange between Chengdu, Maowen, and Jinchuan. Compared to other ancient towns in Sichuan, Tai'an is less well-known and less crowded. While it has gained a bit of commercial flair following reconstruction efforts following the Wenchuan earthquake, it retains its ancient town charm. The streets are lined with restaurants and stalls, offering a variety of local delicacies like cured pork and tofu pudding. It's recommended to avoid weekends and holidays to better experience the town's historic charm.

This tranquil ancient temple in the ancient town of Tai'an is a landmark of Mount Qingcheng. Originally built during the Tang Dynasty, it was damaged during the Wenchuan earthquake and reopened in 2012 with a grand opening ceremony. Today, this thousand-year-old temple retains its beauty, attracting pilgrims visiting Qingcheng to burn incense and pray for blessings.

Known locally as "Golden Baby Tuo," it's located in the middle reaches of Wulonggou in the back mountains of Qingcheng. Three pools, formed by a stream flowing into a rock formation, are located there. The majestic cascade of spring water, which falls to the valley floor and stirs up layers of mist, creates a shrouded, fairy-like atmosphere. Due to the mist, the mountain path here is slippery, so walking barefoot is recommended for safety.

Ascending from the Three Pools Mist Spring, you'll reach Longyin Gorge. The terrain here is exceptionally steep, with two peaks just feet apart, and a deep ravine below. The Longyin Gorge plank road, built along the mountainside, snakes along the slopes, supported by giant boulders at the bottom of the ravine. Through the gaps in the beams beneath your feet, you can glimpse the turbulent waters of the mountain stream, a truly tiring sight. However, the scenery along this plank road is truly breathtaking, and a must-see for those brave enough to take it.

Youyi Village is a small town nestled halfway up the mountainside. Its name is inspired by Lu You's poem, "When you reach the end of your rope, you seem to have no way out, but when you bend the willows and brighten the streets, you'll find another village." It's easy to imagine that the ancients, while trekking through mountains and rivers, would have found such a place to rest and restock their supplies, a place that would have perfectly captured the poetic mood. Today, Youyi Village is a prosperous place, with numerous restaurants and surrounded by lush greenery, making it a pleasant place to dine.

Cuiying Lake is a secluded spot on the back mountain of Qingcheng. Nestled within the forest, it's a small expanse of water, surrounded by lush greenery and offering breathtaking scenery. The narrow lake, over 50 meters long, has no roads, requiring a small boat (2 yuan per person) to cross. During frequent summer rainstorms, mudslides are common, and there have been incidents of tourists being trapped in Cuiying Lake. Exercise caution.

Baizhang Bridge connects Cuiying Lake and Baiyun Ancient Village. It is a wooden plank bridge over the water. The scenery along the bridge is beautiful and lush.

Baiyun Wanfo Caves is a magical sight on the Golden Summit of the Back Mountain. Hundreds of small caves, large and small, are carved into the rocky cliffs along the way, each housing a Buddha statue. The caves are divided into three tiers, each rising and falling, stretching for approximately 2.5 kilometers.

This massive water conservancy project, located on the Minjiang River, was built between 256 and 251 B.C. by Li Bing, prefect of Shu Commandery during the Warring States Period, and his son. Two thousand years later, it continues to function significantly. Key attractions include Fulong Temple, Erwang Temple, Anlan Cable Bridge, Yulei Pass, Lidui Park, Yulei Mountain Park, Yunv Peak, Lingyan Temple, Puzhao Temple, Cuiyue Lake, and the Dujiangyan Irrigation Project.

Hongkou is undoubtedly famous for its rafting, thanks to its pristine environment of mountains, canyons, springs, waterfalls, and primeval forests, making it a favorite destination for locals. If rafting isn't your thing, hiking and hiking in the fresh air, soaking your feet in crystal-clear streams, and playing mahjong are all other options for a refreshing summer. You can also bring your children to play in the water, delve into the primeval forest to observe wildlife, and savor delicious cold-water salmon and trout—all for a truly relaxing experience.

Jie Zi Ancient Town is connected to the back mountain of Qingcheng Mountain, and the distance is very close, so you can visit them in conjunction.

The thousand-year-old ancient town of Jiezi is one of the most famous among the more than 10 ancient towns around Chengdu. The streets are full of typical buildings with low tile eaves, wooden door panels, and bluestone roads, but the clear river flowing along both sides of the street adds to its elegance. It is relatively unknown, so it is still relatively simple.

Jiezi Ancient Town consists of three main areas: Jiezi Ancient Town, Guangyan Temple, and Fengqishan Forest Park. Notably, the Shuanghe Ruins in Jiezi Ancient Town date back over 4,300 years and are a crucial component of the prehistoric city-site complex on the Chengdu Plain. The Guangyan Temple, a magnificent temple steeped in Zen Buddhism and renowned for its Buddhist teachings, was a true imperial temple during the Ming Dynasty and one of Sichuan's sacred Buddhist sites. The temple is renowned for its inscriptions on the "First Inscription of the Southern Tibetan Scriptures," palm-leaf Sanskrit texts, and three imperially bestowed treasures. For those who enjoy natural scenery, we recommend exploring the primeval forest and Plum Blossom Village, where plum blossoms can be admired in winter.