Tai Shang Rock

Tai Shang Rock

Tai Shang Rock, also known as "Laojun Cave," is located beside the cable car road. Surrounded by peaks and situated at a high elevation, the area enjoys a tranquil environment. It was first built in the Tang Dynasty, expanded in the Song Dynasty, housed a mountain gate nunnery in the Yuan Dynasty, and was officially constructed under imperial decree in the 10th year of the Yongle reign in the Ming Dynasty.

The grotto is carved into the rock and shaped like an arch. It is 4.35 meters high, 4.15 meters wide, and 2.3 meters deep. Surrounding the cliffs, numerous stone grottoes of various sizes are embedded with hundreds of painted stone tablets and cliff inscriptions.

The ceiling of the cave is inscribed with the three characters “Laojun Rock.” Inside the cave, a statue of the Supreme Old Lord is carved directly from the rock, standing 2.35 meters tall and shaped flatly, reflecting the style of the Tang Dynasty. Its inner garment is worn with the left lapel over the right, with a jade belt tied around the waist, a round-collared mid-layer tunic, and long-sleeved outer robes. Both hands and feet are tucked in, showing a distinct “heavenly disc” posture. Along both sides from the center back of the statue are 13 relief images, also depicting the Supreme Old Lord. On either side of the cave entrance stand two warrior statues, also in relief—one holding an axe and the other a halberd.

On the left cliffside of the cave are relief carvings titled “Cave of the Prince Immortal” and “Nine Immortals of Penglai,” all in relief carving, accompanied by vertical inscriptions such as “Cave of the Prince of the Kingdom of Jing Le” and “True Realm of Penglai.”

On the right cliff of the cave are embedded several painted stone tablets, all featuring low-relief sculptures. These figures appear to ride the clouds, exuding elegance and vivid lifelikeness. These cliff carvings hold significant research and aesthetic value.

The Supreme Old Lord is widely recognized as the founding patriarch of Taoism—the divine figure in Taoist belief who created the universe and offered salvation through teaching.

“The origin of Taoism stems from Laozi. He himself claimed to have existed before heaven and earth, nurturing all things. Above, he resides in the Jade Capital as the progenitor of the divine kings; below, he dwells in the Purple Tenuity as the lord of the flying immortals.” He is regarded as the supreme celestial deity and often manifests in various forms across realms to spread teachings, redeem people, and promote Taoist principles. As stated in the *Orthodox Unity Scripture: Heavenly Master Teachings and Precepts – The Decree of the Great Taoist Path*: “The Tao also transforms in form—who can recognize its true essence?” According to Taoism, Laozi is his human incarnation and the author of the timeless Taoist scripture, the *Tao Te Ching*.

The 15th day of the second lunar month each year is celebrated as the birthday of Laozi, the founding patriarch of Taoism and the Taoist Patriarch, marking International Taoism Day. The Three Pure Ones refer to the Yuqing (Jade Clarity), Shangqing (Highest Clarity), and Taiqing (Great Clarity). They represent the principle of one giving rise to two, two to three, and three to all things—symbolizing the heavenly origin.