Shangqing Palace in Luoyang

Shangqing Palace in Luoyang

Shangqing Palace in Luoyang is located on Cuiyun Peak of Mangshan Mountain, about 4 kilometers northwest of Luoyang's old city. It is said to be the place where Laozi, the Supreme Old Lord, refined elixirs.

Laozi (Li Er) was deified by the Lao-Zhuang school of thought during the Wei and Jin dynasties. In the early Tang Dynasty, to consolidate feudal rule, Emperor Gaozu Li Yuan revered Laozi as the “primordial ancestor.” Emperor Taizong Li Shimin ordered that Taoist priests and nuns be ranked above Buddhist monks and nuns. Emperor Xuanzong posthumously honored Laozi as the “Supreme Mysterious and Primordial Emperor” and, in the 29th year of the Kaiyuan era (741 AD), decreed the construction of temples dedicated to the Supreme Mysterious and Primordial Emperor in both the capitals of Chang’an and Luoyang. He also established the Chongxuan Academy as a national Taoist institute. Though these institutions were subject to discontinuation, their influence spread nationwide. The site was later renamed Shangqing Palace. The term “Shangqing” refers to the paradise realm imagined in Taoism. Since Laozi is known as the Supreme Old Lord, the palace is also called Laojun Temple.

At its peak, Shangqing Palace was grand in scale, covered with lush trees, featured majestic halls, occupied a strategically lofty position, and boasted beautiful scenery. Existing structures include the Laojun Hall, Cuiyun Cave, east and west wing rooms, steles from the Ming and Qing dynasties, architectural ruins, and several ancient cypress trees. Inside the palace, the walls feature Tang Dynasty painting master Wu Daozi’s portraits of the Five Sages: Emperors Gaozu, Taizong, Gaozong, Zhongzong, and Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty. The great poet Du Fu, upon ascending the Temple of the Supreme Mysterious and Primordial Emperor, wrote the verse “Mountains and rivers uphold embroidered doors, sun and moon near carved beams,” vividly describing the magnificence of Luoyang’s landscape and the grandeur of the imperial city.

In the late Northern Song Dynasty, when the Jurchens invaded the south, Shangqing Palace was destroyed in the war. It was rebuilt in the 24th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1545 AD), restoring its former appearance. However, it was damaged again by an earthquake in Luoyang in the 34th year of Jiajing (1555 AD). Although it underwent multiple restorations during the Qing Dynasty, it never regained its original splendor.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, the Party and government carried out renovations of Shangqing Palace in 1957 and 1971. Historically, one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Luoyang,” known as “Evening View from Mangshan,” refers to this location.

Address: Near National Highway 310, Luoyang Old City District

Type: Historical Site / Taoist Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Mangshan Subdistrict: A town under the jurisdiction of Luoyang’s suburban area. In 1960, the Mangshan District was established; in 1961, it was divided into four communes: Yingzhuang, Zhonggou, Zhongtou, and Yangjia. In 1963, they were merged to form the Mangshan Commune, which became a township in 1984 and was upgraded to a town in 1995. Located north of the urban area, it covers an area of 48 square kilometers with a population of 35,000. It is traversed by the Zhengzhou–Kaifeng–Luoyang Expressway, National Highway 310, the Airport Road, and the Longhai Railway. The subdistrict administers Wangchaoling, Shijiadun, Dakoulu, Miaonan, Shijiaogou, Miaobei, Gejialing, Jinggou, Qianli, Xucun, Houdong, Suhutuo, Shuikou, Goushang, Zhongtou, Lijiawa, Zhonggou, Tuqiao, Ying... More details about Mangshan Subdistrict ++