Qingcheng Mountain: The Taoist Retreat of Sichuan

Qingchengshan in Sichuan Province is one of China most important Taoist mountains. Known as the Fifth Taoist Paradise, it was where Zhang Daoling, founder of religious Taoism, practiced and established his school. The mountain combines ancient temples with forested slopes.

Taoist History

In 142 CE, Zhang Daoling received a revelation on Qingchengshan and founded the Way of the Celestial Masters, the first organized Taoist religion. The mountain has been a Taoist center ever since. Today, it remains an active religious site with monks and pilgrims.

Front Mountain

The Front Mountain is the developed area with temples, palaces, and paved paths. The Jianfu Palace is the main temple, dedicated to Taoist deities. The Tianshi Cave is where Zhang Daoling meditated. The architecture integrates with the forested slopes.

Back Mountain

The Back Mountain is wilder and less visited. Hiking trails pass through virgin forest, past waterfalls and viewpoints. The scenery is more natural than the Front Mountain. The full circuit takes several hours.

Old Cedar Path

The path up Qingchengshan is lined with ancient cedars, some over 1,000 years old. The trees create a green canopy, filtering light to a soft glow. The path passes temples, pavilions, and inscriptions.

Dujiangyan Connection

Qingchengshan is adjacent to Dujiangyan, the ancient irrigation system that made Sichuan fertile. The two sites are often visited together. Dujiangyan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Getting There

Qingchengshan is about 1 hour by bus from Dujiangyan, which has high-speed rail connections to Chengdu. Plan a full day for the mountain. Spring and autumn are the best times; summer is humid, winter is cool.