Mount Qingcheng is located in the southwest of Dujiangyan City, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. As one of the birthplaces of Chinese Taoism, it is a national 5A-level scenic area. The total area of the scenic area is about 200 square kilometers, with the main peak Laojun Pavilion at an altitude of 1,260 meters. It is renowned for its natural landscape of "the most secluded under heaven" and profound Taoist culture, alongside the danger of Jianmen, the elegance of Emei, and the grandeur of Kuimen as the "Four Wonders of Sichuan". The vegetation coverage rate on the mountain exceeds 98%, with negative ion concentration reaching up to 25,000 per cubic centimeter, making it a natural oxygen bar. There are more than 10 Taoist temples in the scenic area, among which Tianshi Cave and Shangqing Palace are national key cultural relics protection units. The buildings mostly adopt the architectural style of dwellings in western Sichuan during the Qing Dynasty, integrating with the mountain terrain in a simple and elegant manner.
History and Culture
The Taoist culture of Mount Qingcheng originated in the Eastern Han Dynasty, with a history of more than 1,800 years. In 143 AD, Zhang Daoling built a thatched cottage here to preach, founding the Five Dou of Rice Taoism, making Mount Qingcheng the "Fifth Heavenly Cave" of Taoism. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, Taoism thrived, with more than 70 temples. Most of the existing buildings were rebuilt in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty bestowed the name "Zhangren Guan", Emperor Qinzong of the Song Dynasty awarded the plaque "Huiqing Jianfu Palace", and Zhang Sanfeng of the Ming Dynasty practiced here, leaving the "Sanfeng Relics".
In addition to Taoist culture, Mount Qingcheng was also an important place for ancient Chinese education. Disciples of the Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen built Yuanming Palace here, and Zhang Shi, a great Confucian scholar of the Song Dynasty, once gave lectures here. Furthermore, Mount Qingcheng martial arts is an important school of Chinese martial arts, formed in the Tang and Song Dynasties and thriving in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, known for "lightness and flexibility, rapid rise and fall", and listed alongside Shaolin and Wudang as the three major martial arts systems.
Main Attractions
Shangqing Palace
Shangqing Palace was first built in the Jin Dynasty, with the existing buildings reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty. It is located at the summit of Mount Qingcheng, at an altitude of 1,600 meters. In front of the palace, there are stone tablets inscribed with "the Fifth Famous Mountain under Heaven" and "the First Peak of Qingcheng". The palace enshrines statues of Laozi, the Jade Emperor, and other deities. The Tang Dynasty statues of the Three Emperors in the Sanqing Hall are precious cultural relics. Behind the palace are Shengdeng Pavilion and Huying Pavilion, from where visitors can overlook the Chengdu Plain.
Tianshi Cave
Tianshi Cave is the core attraction of Mount Qingcheng, first built in the Sui Dynasty, named after Zhang Daoling's cultivation here. The cave enshrines a statue of Zhang Daoling, and outside the cave are landscapes such as Sandao Stone, Xixin Pool, and ancient ginkgo trees. The ancient ginkgo tree, about 50 meters tall, has a tree age of more than 1,800 years, planted by Zhang Daoling himself, and is one of the oldest ginkgo trees in China. The Tianshi Cave architectural complex covers an area of 7,000 square meters, with the existing halls reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty, built along the mountain with grand momentum.
Jianfu Palace
Jianfu Palace was first built in the Tang Dynasty, with the existing buildings renovated in the Qing Dynasty. Located at the entrance of Mount Qingcheng, it is the first palace when entering the mountain. The palace name is derived from the plaque "Huiqing Jianfu Palace" bestowed by Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty. The palace enshrines statues of the Great Emperors of the Five Mountains, the Queen Mother of the West, and other deities. In front of the palace is Jianfu Palace Square, where the stone tablet inscribed with "Qingcheng is the Most Secluded under Heaven" by Zhang Daqian is a popular photo spot for visitors.
Yuecheng Lake
Yuecheng Lake is an artificial lake in Mount Qingcheng, located at the foot of Zhangren Peak, at an altitude of 800 meters. The lake covers an area of about 15,000 square meters with a depth of about 10 meters. The lake and mountain scenery form a delightful contrast. Visitors can take a cruise ship (ticket price 5 yuan) across the lake to the cable car station. There is Yuecheng Lake Restaurant by the lake, serving characteristic foods of Mount Qingcheng.
Food
Qingcheng Old Bacon
Qingcheng Old Bacon is made from local native pork, cured and smoked with cypress branches for more than 45 days, featuring red and bright meat with a salty and fragrant taste. The traditional process requires "three cures and three smokes", and the finished product can be preserved for more than half a year. Common dishes in farmhouses within the scenic area include bacon fried with bamboo shoots and bacon platters, with an average consumption of 40-60 yuan per person. Specialty stores sell it at about 50 yuan per catty.
Mount Qingcheng Ginkgo Stewed Chicken
Main ingredients are fresh ginkgo nuts from Mount Qingcheng and local free-range chickens, slowly stewed with pork bone soup. The soup is milky white, delicious, and has nourishing and beauty effects. Legend has it that it was created by Zhang Daoling during his cultivation, with a history of 1,800 years. Shangqing Palace Vegetarian Restaurant and Tianshi Cave Restaurant both serve it, with half a chicken priced at about 80 yuan, suitable for 2-3 people.
Qingcheng Pickles
Pickled with spring water from Mount Qingcheng, using cowpeas, young ginger, and chili peppers as main ingredients, adopting traditional pottery jar fermentation technology with a pickling cycle of 7-10 days. The pickles are crisp, refreshing, sour, and appetizing, being characteristic side dishes of Mount Qingcheng. Restaurants around the scenic area provide them for free, and packaged pickles in specialty stores are sold at 15-20 yuan per bag.
Dongtian Milk Wine
Made from kiwifruit in Mount Qingcheng with Taoist secret recipes, with an alcohol content of about 12 degrees, golden color, sweet and mellow taste, known as "Qingcheng Immortal Wine". Legend has it that it was created by Zhang Daoling's disciples and listed as a tribute in the Tang Dynasty. Shops around Shangqing Palace and Jianfu Palace all sell it, with 500ml packages priced at about 30 yuan.
Tickets
Peak season (March 1 - November 30): 80 yuan/person; off-season (December 1 - February 28 of the following year): 70 yuan/person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "青城山都江堰" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
Mount Qingcheng Scenic Area is open year-round, with daily opening hours from 8:00 to 17:30, and admission stops at 17:00. The front mountain cable car operates from 8:30 to 17:00, and the back mountain cable car from 9:00 to 16:30. Main temples such as Jianfu Palace and Shangqing Palace are open from 8:00 to 18:00, closing at 17:30 in winter.
Tour Routes
One-day tour route: Jianfu Palace (30 minutes) → Yuecheng Lake (10 minutes by boat) → Front Mountain Cable Car (15 minutes up) → Shangqing Palace (1 hour) → Laojun Pavilion (40 minutes) → Tianshi Cave (1.5 hours) → Chaoyang Cave (30 minutes) → Front Mountain Cable Car (15 minutes down) → Yuecheng Lake (10 minutes by boat) → Jianfu Palace (return). This route covers core attractions, requiring cable car and boat rides, suitable for tourists with limited time.
Two-day tour route: D1 Jianfu Palace → Natural Picture → Tianshi Cave → Patriarch Hall → Shangqing Palace, staying at Shangqing Palace; D2 Shangqing Palace → Laojun Pavilion → Yuanming Palace → Yuqing Palace → Yuecheng Lake → Jianfu Palace. This route deeply experiences Taoist culture, with about 6 hours of hiking, suitable for tourists with better physical strength.
Transportation
- High-speed rail: Take the intercity high-speed rail from Chengdu Xipu Station to Mount Qingcheng Station, with more than 20 trains daily, 30 minutes' journey, ticket price 10 yuan. Mount Qingcheng Station is about 1.5 kilometers from the scenic area entrance, accessible on foot or by sightseeing bus (5 yuan).
- Bus: Chengdu Chadianzi Bus Station and Xin Nanmen Bus Station have direct buses to Mount Qingcheng, with more than 10 trips daily, 1.5 hours' journey, ticket price 25-30 yuan. Take Bus No. 101 from Dujiangyan Urban Area to Mount Qingcheng Scenic Area, every 15 minutes, 40 minutes' journey, ticket price 2 yuan.
- Scenic area sightseeing bus: Sightseeing bus from Mount Qingcheng Station to the scenic area entrance is 5 yuan/person; sightseeing bus within the scenic area (front mountain - back mountain) is 20 yuan/person, allowing multiple rides with the ticket.
- Self-driving: Chengdu → Rongchang Expressway → Dujiangyan West Exit → Mount Qingcheng Avenue, about 1.5 hours' drive. Scenic area parking lot charges 20 yuan/day. During peak seasons (weekends, holidays), it is recommended to arrive before 9 am.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Tianshi Cave: The core attraction of Mount Qingcheng. The 1,800-year-old ginkgo tree was planted by Zhang Daoling. The Tang Dynasty statues of the Three Emperors in the cave are national first-class cultural relics. The architectural complex covers 7,000 square meters in the architectural style of western Sichuan dwellings of the Qing Dynasty.
- Shangqing Palace: Located at the mountain top of 1,600 meters above sea level. The stone tablet of "the Fifth Famous Mountain under Heaven" in front of the palace is a must-visit photo spot. Climbing Laojun Pavilion offers a 360-degree view of the Chengdu Plain, with negative ion concentration reaching 25,000 per cubic centimeter.
- Jianfu Palace: The first palace when entering the mountain, first built in the Tang Dynasty. The palace preserves Qing Dynasty wooden couplets and murals. The stone tablet of "Qingcheng is the Most Secluded under Heaven" on the square, inscribed by Zhang Daqian, is an iconic landscape of the scenic area.
- Yuecheng Lake: A 15,000-square-meter artificial lake. Taking a cruise (ticket price 5 yuan) across the lake, the lake and mountain scenery provide one of the best locations for photographing the panoramic view of Mount Qingcheng.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to carry a light backpack and wear non-slip shoes. The steps on the front mountain are steep, and some sections require using hands and feet. Hiking poles can be rented (10 yuan/root).
- Shangqing Palace Vegetarian Restaurant serves Taoist vegetarian meals at 25 yuan/person, including dishes like ginkgo stewed chicken (vegetarian version) and Qingcheng pickles. Dining hours are 11:30-13:30.
- In summer, the mountain temperature is 5-8°C lower than the urban area; a thin coat is needed. In winter, some sections are icy and snowy; waterproof shoes are recommended, and ice claws can be purchased at the scenic area entrance (15 yuan/pair).
- The front mountain cable car takes 15 minutes one way. During peak seasons (weekends, holidays), queuing time is long. It is recommended to arrive at the scenic area before 9 am to avoid the peak flow.
- Mount Qingcheng is known for "seclusion". It is recommended to spend more than half a day visiting, quietly feeling the integration of Taoist culture and natural landscapes.
Notes
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area, with fines of 50-200 yuan for violations. Photography is forbidden in temples, and Taoist etiquette should be observed.
- There are many insects and ants in the mountains. It is recommended to wear long pants, avoid bright clothing, and do not feed wild animals arbitrarily.
- There are no supply points on the hiking route from Tianshi Cave to Patriarch Hall. Drinking water and dry food should be prepared in advance (energy bars and chocolate are recommended).
- The last front mountain cable car departs at 17:00. Downhill time should be arranged reasonably to avoid hiking at night. Back mountain visitors should take the cable car down before 16:30.
- When purchasing specialties, it is recommended to go to designated stores in the scenic area to avoid buying counterfeit and inferior products from roadside stalls.