Dalian Tangwanggong Taoist Temple

Dalian Tangwanggong Taoist Temple

Taoism is China’s only indigenous religion, advocating reverence for heaven, respect for ancestors, benefiting all things, and helping the world. It originates from the Yellow Emperor, was expounded by Laozi, and formed the foundational source of Chinese culture as well as the beginning of the Hundred Schools of Thought. After becoming a religion during the Eastern Han Dynasty, it flourished during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Because it takes “Tao” as the highest faith and “Tao” is the primordial source that gives birth to all things in the universe, it is called “Taoism.”

The main deity enshrined at Tangwanggong Taoist Temple is Emperor Taizong of Tang, also known as “the Great Sage, the Greatly Filial Emperor of Literature and Arms.” He was not only a national hero but also the greatest military strategist, outstanding statesman, renowned editor, calligrapher, and poet in Chinese history. He governed the realm according to the teachings of Laozi and established the most prosperous era of the Chinese nation—the Zhenguan Reign—creating the powerful and economically flourishing Tang Empire. The Tangwanggong Taoist Temple on Dahei Mountain is a Taoist site in Dalian that venerates Emperor Taizong of Tang as its principal deity. It preserves many precious historical relics from Emperor Taizong’s eastern campaign against Goguryeo, such as Bisha City, the General-Pointing Platform, and Tangwang Palace.

Historical texts such as Zizhi Tongjian, Old Book of Tang, and New Book of Tang all recorded this period. The widely known folk tale “Xue Rengui’s Eastern Expedition” depicts this history. These precious historical sites are vital sources for the cultural tourism development of Dahei Mountain and also the origin of Tangwanggong on Dahei Mountain. Tangwanggong was built by Yu Chijingde, a famous general of the Tang Dynasty and a Taoist practitioner. Over time, it fell into disrepair, but was later restored and revitalized during the Qing Dynasty’s Qianlong era by the Taoist priest Ju Chaozhen. The main deity, Emperor Taizong of Tang, is enshrined in the Stone Drum Temple compound on the mountain. The current Tangwanggong Taoist Temple was relocated and expanded in 2006 under the guidance of Taoist Master Zhenmei (Vice President of Dalian Taoist Association), gradually forming a cultural base integrating wellness, Taoism, and tourism. Tangwanggong Taoist Temple also venerates major Taoist deities including Celestial Master Zhang Daoling, the Three Officials, Bixia Yuanjun, the Goddess of Childbirth, the Goddess of Easy Delivery, the Goddess of Vision, the Goddess of Smallpox, Granny Hei, Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy), and various Wealth Gods. It is a sacred site for praying for blessings and good fortune. The temple fair day of Tangwanggong Taoist Temple is on the 18th day of the fifth lunar month.