UncategorizedConcealed in Dujiangyan City’s verdant valleys, only 68 kilometers away from Chengdu, is Sichuan Tourism‘s treasure: Mount Qingcheng. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and a Taoist sacred mountain, Mount Qingcheng enchants visitors with fog-girt peaks, ancient temples, and heart-stirring quiet. A history enthusiast, a nature enthusiast, or a gourmand, Mount Qingcheng offers the experience of drifting above time, culture, and Sichuan’s love for flavors.
I. Top Attractions
1.Jianfu Palace
Start your journey here in this Tang Dynasty temple, whose moss-covered courtyards and venerable cypress trees are set off by poetic inscriptions. A peaceful introduction to the spiritual energy of the mountain.
2.Tianshi Cave (Celestial Master’s Grotto)
Birthplace of Taoism, this cliff-top complex honors Zhang Daoling, who founded the religion here in 143 CE. Legend has it that his sword split the Three Island Stones in two while battling demons—a melodramatic union of myth and geology. Don’t miss visiting the filming sites of the popular TV series Journey to the West.
3.Laojun Pavilion
At its summit, a colossal bronze statue of Laozi gazes out over the Minjiang River valley. Visit early in the morning to witness golden clouds unfolding—a scene immortalized by Tang poets like Du Fu.
4.Moonlight Lake
A mirror-like refuge for paddleboats or strolls along the lake’s edge, reflecting the tranquility of the mountain.
II. Cultural Treasures
Saluted as Taoism’s “Fifth Grotto-Heaven”, Mount Qingcheng‘s 1,800-year history blooms with rituals including morning bell ceremonies conducted at Shangqing Palace and ancient stone carvings. Legends also bloomed from the mountain like Bai Suzhen, the white snake spirit of The Legend of the White Snake, reputed to have honed her magic in its caves—a tale that blends history and myth.
III. Culinary Delights
1.Gingko Chicken Soup
A golden broth simmered with free-range chicken and 500-year-old ginkgo nuts, from Taoist medical traditions. Silky and aromatic, it’s a healthy comfort food.
2.Qingcheng Cured Pork
Smoked over pinewood, this luscious pork pairs well with steamed rice or pickled vegetables. Sliced thin, it’s a rustic delight found on trailside stalls.
3.Wooden Barrel Fish
Fresh river fish steamed in perfumed broth within a cedar barrel, seasoned with Sichuan peppercorns and herbs. The method preserves moisture while releasing natural sweetness.
4.Laozao
A classic Sichuan dish, laozao blends sweet, mellow flavors with a hint of tart effervescence. Cold or hot, it stars in Laozao Eggs and Brown Sugar Rice Cakes, warming with every bite.
IV. Practical Tips
Best Routes:
Front Mountain (4–5 hours): Hike from Jianfu Palace down to Laojun Pavilion, and use the cable car down (one-way CNY 35).
Reverse Hiking:
Hike from Five Dragon Gully on the off-the-beaten-path Rear Mountain for waterfalls and isolated paths.
Conclusion
Mount Qingcheng is not a tourist destination alone—it’s an offer to slow down and tune in to nature’s rhythm. Walk through centuries-old temples where Taoist prayers still echo, eat food cooked according to recipes centuries-old, and let the mountain’s misty trails wash over your soul. Walk either along the pilgrims’ path or simply bask in serenity, Mount Qingcheng leaves an indelible imprint on the heart of every visitor.
In such a context, spirituality does not culminate in temples—it is the creaking of bamboo clumps, the heat of steaming soup, and peace amidst the landscape of dawn lights cascading over green ridges. Add Mount Qingcheng to Sichuan Tourism itineraries, and let its timeless beauty redirect your journeys.
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