I’ve been to Mt.Tai with my dad when I was still in school. And almost every weekend, my whole family will go picnic in the Fragrant Hill Park. So this time, I chose to go to hike Mt.Qingcheng. I’ve heard that the scenery there is the best,covered by tall green trees and grass and flowers eveywhere, as well as the glittering water.That’s why it got its name-Green City Mountain as early as Tang Dynasty. Besides, it is the birthplace of Daoism.Mmmmm… Ancient mountain with ancient culture,that would be perfect.

By visiting Mt. Qingchengshan, visitors will be able to savor the pleasure of the perfect combination of the unique landform, moderate climate, natural beauty and cultural relics and historic sites of Taoism in this area.

The Jianfu Palace

As you begin to climb up Mt. Qingchengshan you will discover the Jianfu Palace, which was originally constructed in the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) and was restored on several other occasions through the years. Now, two temples and three compounds also exist here, surrounded by lush ancient vegetation.

In front of the Jianfu Palace, a lucid stream winds its way, adding more beauty to the whole environment. Going west for one kilometer (about 0.6 mile), visitors will suddenly be presented with a wooden pavilion that protrudes between a profusion of trees and steep rocks. As a result, most of visitors will have misconception impressions that they are in a large natural painting.

The Tianshi Cave

Going west, you will arrive at the Tianshi Cave. It is the major temple on Mt. Qingchengshan. In the cave, a stone statue in the style of Sui Dynasty (581 – 618), proudly stands of Zhang Tianshi (the Celestial Master Zhang) who is worshipped.

According to the legend, Zhang Daoling, later known as Zhang Tianshi, cultivated him and preached here around the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220). Hence, Zhang Tianshi is known as the founder of Taoism on Mt. Qingchengshan.

Three other buildings

We also recommend that you visit the three other buildings that exist in this area – the Sanhuang Palace, the Sanqing Palace and also the Huangdi Temple. The Sanqing Palace, the main hall of the Tianshi Cave, worships the three supreme deities in Taoism; while in the Sanhuang Palace, the stone statues of Fuxi, Shennong and Huangdi (the Three Sovereigns of legendary rulers of China in remote antiquity) are worshipped.

The Zushi Palace

Then, leaving the Tianshi Cave and crossing the Fangning Bridge, visitors will arrive at the Zushi Palace which is preserved from the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911).

The Shangqing Palace

By continuing along the path, visitors will reach the next famous temple – the Shangqing Palace, and one by one a series of natural scenery and revered buildings of Taoism will present themselves to visitors. The Shangqing Palace was originally built in the Jin Dynasty; however, only a part of the buildings that were constructed in the Qing Dynasty remain. Fortunately, it is still an attractive sight where you can enjoy the unique natural scenery and historic heritages of China.