Tiansheng Palace Ruins

Tiansheng Palace Ruins

The Tiansheng Palace Ruins are a cultural relic protection unit of Anhui Province.

Guoyang Tiansheng Palace, also known as Taiqing Palace, Daode East Palace, or Laozi Temple, is located in Zhengdian (Main Hall) Zicun Village, north of the Guoshui River and west of Guoyang County. It is a national 3A-level tourist attraction.

Taiqing Palace was first built in the eighth year of the Yanxi era during the Eastern Han Dynasty (165 AD), originally named Laozi Temple. Legend has it that Emperor Huan of Han dreamed of Laozi descending into the palace hall, prompting him to issue an imperial edict to build a temple at Laozi’s birthplace for worship and to commission Chen State’s Chancellor Bian Shao to compose the “Inscription on Laozi” stele.

Before the Yuan Dynasty, Guoyang Tiansheng Palace was also called Taiqing Palace. It was officially named Tiansheng Palace during the Yuan Dynasty, though it was still sometimes referred to as Taiqing Palace. Its current legal name is “Tiansheng Palace.” Since the Han Dynasty, successive emperors have issued edicts for its renovation, gradually expanding its scale. During the Tang and Song Dynasties, its halls stood densely and were resplendent with gold and vermilion, rivaling the grandeur of imperial capitals. The Yuan Dynasty viewed Taoism as a source of unrest, and to consolidate its rule, adopted a conciliatory policy toward Taoism. The Taiqing Palace, which enshrined Laozi, was renamed Tiansheng Palace, symbolizing peace and tranquility under heaven. Thus, Guoyang Tiansheng Palace got its name, and in the third year of the Zhi Shun era (1334), large-scale reconstruction of Tiansheng Palace was carried out once again. By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Tiansheng Palace still covered an area of 3,000 mu, housed thousands of residents, and was truly the foremost Taoist temple in China.

The current Tiansheng Palace was rebuilt on the original site with donations from Taoist followers overseas. The main hall, Laojun Hall, was restored according to Song Dynasty specifications. It features nine tiers of eaves, is 47 meters long from east to west, 28 meters deep from north to south, 23.75 meters high, and stands on a 2-meter-high platform, making it the largest Taoist temple hall in China. Inside the hall are three massive bronze statues: Laozi in the center, flanked by Yin Xi and the Eastern Emperor. The statue of Laozi is 5.5 meters tall and weighs 6 tons, making it the largest bronze statue of Laozi in China. Centered around Laojun Hall, the entire architectural complex is divided into central, eastern, and western sections. The central section includes the Mountain Gate, Immortals’ Bridge, Lingguan Hall, Laojun Hall, and Sanqing Hall, spanning a total length of 615 meters. The eastern section houses the Cihang Hall, Lüzu Hall, Tianshi Hall, Guest Hall, Laozi Memorial Hall – Daozhiyuan Exhibition Room, and Qiandao Residence. The western section contains the God of Wealth Hall, Yuanchen Hall, Ancestor Hall, Chongyang Hall, Si’en Hall, Laozi Memorial Hall – Dezhichu Exhibition Room, and Kundao Residence. Bell and drum towers are built on the left and right sides in front of the Lingguan Hall, with a total width of 90 meters from east to west. The buildings feature Tang and Song architectural styles, with some elements in Yuan and Ming styles. The entire complex presents an atmosphere that is majestic, solemn, serene, and elegant.