Qingyang Palace
Qingyang Palace, located in Chengdu’s Qingyang District, is one of China’s most renowned Taoist temples and the oldest in Sichuan Province. Founded in the Zhou Dynasty (770–221 BCE) and reconstructed during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), it has served as a center for Taoist learning, culture, and spirituality for over 2,500 years. Covering 60,000 square meters, the temple complex blends traditional Chinese architecture with lush gardens, featuring intricate carvings, sacred tortoise statues, and the iconic “Green Rams”—bronze sculptures said to predict rain. A hub for Taoist festivals and calligraphy exhibitions, it embodies the harmony of nature and philosophy.
Historical Overview
Originally built to honor Laozi (founder of Taoism), the temple flourished under the Tang emperor Xuanzong, who sought immortality through Taoist alchemy. It survived destruction during the Ming-Qing transition and was rebuilt in 1667, becoming a key site for the Complete Perfection School of Taoism. Cultural Revolutions damaged parts of the complex, but extensive renovations in the 1980s restored its grandeur. Today, it hosts the Chengdu Taoist Association and remains a pilgrimage site during the Lantern Festival and Laozi’s birthday celebrations.
Structural Layout
The temple follows a symmetrical layout aligned with Taoist cosmology:
- Sanqing Hall (Hall of Three Pure Ones): The main hall dedicated to the Taoist Trinity, featuring a 9.8-meter-tall statue of Yuanshi Tianzun.
- Zaojun Hall: Honors the Kitchen God, with murals depicting heavenly kitchens.
- Lingzu Hall: A meditation pavilion surrounded by bamboo groves and stone tablets inscribed with Taoist scriptures.
- Eight Trigrams Courtyard: Centered on a bronze tripod with yin-yang symbols, symbolizing cosmic balance.
- Sanxing Pavilion: A three-tiered tower housing statues of the Three Stars (Fulu, Shouxing, and Luxing) for blessings.
Major Attractions
Green Ram Statues: Two Tang-era bronze rams (one missing a horn) said to grow horns when rain is imminent.
Dragon Wall: A glazed-tile mural depicting 100 dragons, believed to ward off evil spirits.
Tortoise Steles: Ming-era stone tablets chronicling temple history and Taoist texts.
Bamboo Garden: A serene courtyard with bamboo groves and a pond featuring lotus flowers.
Calligraphy Gallery: Displays scrolls by historical Taoist masters and contemporary artists.
Suggested Itineraries
- Classic Route (1.5–2 hours):
Main Gate → Sanqing Hall → Green Ram Statues → Zaojun Hall → Dragon Wall → Bamboo Garden.
Highlights: Core Taoist architecture and the temple’s spiritual symbols.
- Cultural Route (3–4 hours):
Main Gate → Lingzu Hall → Eight Trigrams Courtyard → Calligraphy Gallery → Sanxing Pavilion → Tortoise Steles.
Highlights: Taoist philosophy, art, and meditation spaces.
- Festival Tour (Full Day):
Attend the Lantern Festival (Spring Festival period) or Laozi’s Birthday (15th lunar month) for rituals, performances, and tea ceremonies.
Ticket Purchase
Prices: ¥10 (adults), ¥5 (students/seniors). Free for children under 1.2m.
Online: Book via Chengdu Cultural Tourism’s WeChat mini-program.
Hours: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM daily.
Transportation
Subway: Line 5 to Qingyang Palace Station (Exit C), 5-minute walk.
Bus: Routes 5, 11, 39, 47, 58, 82, or 1079 to Qingyang Palace Stop.
Taxi: Direct to the temple’s east gate.
Best Time & Tips
Peak Seasons: Spring (March–May) for blooming peonies; autumn (September–November) for mild weather.
Festivals: Visit during the Lantern Festival for nighttime illuminations and rituals.
Etiquette: Dress modestly; avoid pointing at statues.
Local Experience: Try Taoist-inspired vegetarian meals at nearby teahouses.
