Yunlong Mountain Tourist Resort

Yunlong Mountain Tourist Resort

Yunlong Mountain Tourist Resort is situated in the center of Baizhu Town, spanning 20 square kilometers. The mountain has Taoist altar platforms and was once a significant Taoist sanctuary. It formerly housed the Yunlong Temple and Baima Temple, which attracted many worshippers, but these were damaged in the 1950s, with only ruins remaining. The area is densely forested with uniquely shaped peaks resembling incense burners, bells, eagles, Buddha statues, or even scenes reminiscent of the legendary Penglai paradise. The mountain also contains small alpine lakes, reservoirs, waterfalls, as well as a variety of rare plants and wildlife, making it a prime destination for tourism and leisure.

Yunlong Mountain is rich in forests, teeming with wild charm and scenic beauty, characterized by its serenity, tranquility, elegance, and pristine nature. It is home to precious tree species such as bamboo-leaf plum, camphor, and fragrant nanmu, along with ornamental plants like mountain cherry blossoms, ink orchids, crane-crest orchids, and azaleas. In spring and summer, the mountains burst into colorful blooms, while in autumn, red maples blaze like fire. Numerous scenic spots awaken people’s longing for nature, and visitors often find themselves so enchanted that they don’t want to leave. Surrounding Yunlong Mountain are other attractions such as Huashen Pool, Immortal Fish, Immortal Snail, Stone Bowl, and Stone Basket. A trip here allows you to enjoy the serene natural landscape and also “contemplate the divine through objects,” offering a unique and delightful experience.

Yunlong Temple

Yunlong Temple is nestled within the lush forests of Yunlong Mountain and serves as a sacred Taoist shrine. Taoism is one of China’s major religious traditions, originating from ancient shamanism and occult practices. It took shape during the reign of Emperor Shun of the Eastern Han Dynasty (125–144 AD), marked by the establishment of the Way of the Five Pecks of Rice by Zhang Daoling. Over time, "Tao" became personified, and the faith worships the Three Pure Ones (Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, and Daode Tianzun), with Yuanshi Tianzun and Laozi revered as the founders of the religion. Yunlong Temple is dedicated to Lü Dongbin (one of the legendary Eight Immortals), also known as the Pure Yang Immortal, hence it is also called the Pure Yang Temple. Its name comes from being located on Yunlong Mountain.

Yunlong Temple was first built in the early years of the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty. Legend has it that in Miao Village at the foot of Yunlong Mountain, there was a man named Tan Mu (also called Zongxing), in his 30s, who made a living by chopping wood and gathering medicinal herbs. He rested in Yunlong Mountain every day. One day, he suddenly appeared entranced and began speaking incoherently, claiming that immortals had guided him and helped him enter the Taoist path. From then on, he would burn incense and walk up the mountain every morning and down every evening without fail. The villagers found this strange and started calling him "Foolish Mu." Later, Foolish Mu built a stone hut and thatched fences halfway up the mountain (at the original site of Yunlong Temple), constructing a shrine where he enshrined Lü Dongbin, the immortal who had guided him, as the founding deity, attracting nearby worshippers. Some who fell ill were said to have been miraculously cured after taking herbal medicine gathered by Foolish Mu and mixed with spring water from the mountain, which was believed to be the work of the divine. News of these miraculous events spread rapidly by word of mouth, drawing devout pilgrims from areas such as Xinxing, Gaoming, Yunfu, and beyond, all hoping for blessings and divine protection. The temple's incense offerings grew increasingly popular. In the 12th year of the Tongzhi era (1873 AD), with donations gathered from various sources, the grand Yunlong Temple was completed. By the 22nd year of the Guangxu era (1896 AD), Jian Chengxin, a disciple of Tan Zongxing, added the Jade Emperor Hall behind the temple, further enhancing its magnificence.

Built against the mountain, Yunlong Temple features levels that are intricately arranged and ingeniously designed, with the front, middle, and rear halls all interconnected in a compact yet ingenious structure. Above the main gate of the temple is a stone plaque inscribed with the three large characters “Yunlong Temple,” written by Rui Lin, the Viceroy of Liangguang in the late Qing Dynasty. On both sides are couplets inscribed by Su Tingkui, also Viceroy of Liangguang: “The Diagram of the Universe Unfolds Through the I Ching, Initiating the Worship at the Three Pure Ones’ Hall Leading to Ultimate Unity; True Teachings Endure Through the Ages, Forever Honored and Revered by Generations.” The front hall, also called the Hall of Lord Lü, houses a statue of Lü Dongbin. In front of the hall is a courtyard with an incense burner for worshippers. The courtyard leads to the main hall, partitioned by a screen. The middle hall is the Eight Immortals Hall, featuring vivid and lifelike statues of the legendary Eight Immortals: Zhang Guolao, Iron-Crutch Li, Han Xiangzi, Cao Guojiu, Han Zhongli, Lan Caihe, Lü Dongbin, and He Xiangu. The wings of the front and middle halls include the Qingyun Alley, with the Hall of Lord Lü flanked by a vegetarian dining hall and guest rooms, while the west side of the Eight Immortals Hall serves as the residence for Taoist priests. The east side has four rooms respectively enshrining “Prosperity at First Sight,” “Goddess of Childbirth,” “God of Thunder,” and “Eighteen Mother Goddesses,” each figure strikingly depicted and full of life. The rear hall is the Lingxiao Hall, also known as the Jade Emperor Hall, where the Jade Emperor sits enthroned in the center, flanked by the Sun God and Moon God, with the Seven Fairies on either side, creating a solemn and awe-inspiring atmosphere.

Behind Yunlong Temple is a steep cliff, acting like a natural barrier. On the eastern side of the cliff, springs seep from rock crevices and gather in a pool behind the temple, known as the Heavenly Pool. The water is crystal-clear and cool, with a sweet taste, and legend says it can cure all diseases, thus it is also called the Immortal’s Well. The surrounding area of the temple was once filled with towering trees, including tall fruit trees like olive and longan, which shaded the entire complex and gave the temple a serene and elegant ambiance.

The birthday of the Pure Yang Immortal is celebrated on the early days of the fourth and ninth lunar months each year. During these times, Taoist priests hold rituals and ceremonies, and worshippers from nearby villages flock to the temple. Pilgrims from Gaoming, Xinxing, and Yunfu, in particular, travel great distances in groups to attend.

They offer devout prayers, seeking blessings from the gods. There are also bustling vendors selling snacks, incense, and ritual items, as well as fortune-tellers, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

The ancient Yunlong Temple has weathered many trials; it flourished for a time, thrived for three generations, but declined during wartime and eventually collapsed in later years. Now overgrown with weeds, only ruins remain.

Baima Temple

The Fengchong Temple in Miao Village at the foot of Yunlong Mountain, like Yunlong Temple, is also quite famous. The temple houses a statue of the General White Horse deity. There is also a myth that a white horse would sneak out at night to eat crops, hence the temple is also called Baima Temple. Originally a small temple (with unknown construction date), it was renovated with funds raised by villagers in the 16th year of the Wanli era of the Ming Dynasty (1588 AD). By the Xianfeng era (1851–1861 AD), local gentry raised donations to build a temple consisting of front, middle, and rear halls connected in a row, with east and west wing rooms. The main gate of the temple bears a stone plaque inscribed with “Fengchong Temple,” and on both sides are stone couplets: “The Rear Hall Embraces the Dragon’s Throat, Divine Spirit Shines Bright; The Front Gate Faces the Phoenix Summit, Imperial Virtue Stands Majestic.” Upon entering the gate is a screen, with another couplet on the wooden pillars on both sides: “Great Achievements and Merits Strengthen Eternal Worship, All Deities in the Hall Leave a Lasting Legacy; Reverent Offerings and Sincere Hearts Present Sacrificial Rituals, Villagers from Five Towns Join in Shared Reverence.” On the left side of the front hall are enshrined the General White Horse and the Thousand-Mile Eye; on the right are the General Yellow Donkey and the Fair Wind Ear. The front hall also worships the Queen Mother’s civil and military judges; the rear hall houses the True Warrior Northern Emperor deity. At that time, there was a saying: “First visit Baima, then ascend Yunlong,” meaning that those who wished to worship at Yunlong Temple had to first pay homage at Baima Temple, or else the visit would not be efficacious. As a result, Baima Temple also enjoyed thriving incense offerings. However, the ancient temple no longer exists, leaving only rubble (now turned into an orchard), and its ancient architectural artistry can no longer be traced.