Maoshan Mountain

Maoshan Mountain

Maoshan Mountain, located 12 kilometers from Songyang County, features gently rolling terrain that resembles an upturned basin. Graceful pines spread out across its slopes, and rugged rocks are scattered about. In ancient times, it was the residence of the renowned Tang Dynasty Taoist priest Ye Fashan.

The mountaintop once housed structures such as Tongtian Palace, Dianyi Pavilion, Trial Sword Rock, and Zixia Palace, all of which have long since fallen into disrepair. However, historical sites along the mountainside, including the Taoist temple, Jian Gong Ancestral Hall, and White Crane Cave, still remain.

Ye Fashan (616–720), courtesy name Daoyuan, was a native of Songyang and a celebrated Taoist priest of the Tang Dynasty. He delved deeply into the essence of Taoism and the alchemical arts involving elixirs and minerals. For fifty years, spanning the reigns of Emperors Gaozong, Empress Wu Zetian, and Emperor Zhongzong, he traveled among famous mountains and was frequently summoned to the imperial court, where he was regarded as an honored guest. He passed away of old age in 720 at Jinglong Temple in Chang’an. In the 27th year of the Kaiyuan era, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji, composed the “Inscription on the Stele of the Venerable Master Ye” in his memory.