Shangqing Palace on Mount Qingcheng

Shangqing Palace on Mount Qingcheng

Shangqing Palace on Mount Qingcheng is a cultural relic protection unit of Sichuan Province.

Shangqing Palace is the highest Taoist temple on Mount Qingcheng. Inside the temple are the Hall of Laozi, the Hall of the Three Pure Ones, the Hall of Civil and Martial Deities, and the Hall of the Tao Te Ching. It is a popular site for worship, with many visitors coming here to burn incense and pray for blessings. In front of the temple is the Sunrise Viewing Pavilion, which offers a great spot to watch the sunrise.

Shangqing Palace is situated on the mountainside about 500 meters below the summit of the first peak of Mount Qingcheng. It was first built during the Jin Dynasty, and the existing structures date back to the Tongzhi era of the Qing Dynasty (1862–1874). On the western stone wall outside the mountain gate, there are inscriptions by Huang Tianhu reading “The Fifth Famous Mountain Under Heaven” and “The First Peak of Mount Qingcheng.”

The three large characters “Shangqing Palace” on the plaque of the temple gate were handwritten by Chiang Kai-shek in 1940. The Hall of Laozi enshrines the Supreme Old Lord, Patriarch Chunyang, and Patriarch Sanfeng; the Hall of the Three Pure Ones houses statues of the Three Pure Ones and the Twelve Golden Immortals, their disciples; the Hall of the Tao Te Ching features nanmu wood paneling engraved with the full text of the Tao Te Ching; and the Hall of Civil and Martial Deities venerates Confucius, the Sage of Literature, and Guan Yu, the Sage of Martial Valor.

The temple also features legendary sites such as Magu Pool and Mandarin Duck Well. Not far away are Running Horse Flat and Flagpole Rock, said to be training grounds for Zhang Xianzhong’s rebel army during the late Ming Dynasty.

By climbing the stone steps behind Shangqing Palace, you can reach the summit of Mount Qingcheng. At the top stands the Huying Pavilion, an excellent vantage point to enjoy natural wonders such as the sunrise, sea of clouds, and the mystical “sacred lamps” of Mount Qingcheng. It is also known as the Sunrise Viewing Pavilion.

Address: Inside Mount Qingcheng Scenic Area, Dujiangyan City, Chengdu

Type: Historical Site / Ancient Architecture / Taoist Temple

Recommended Visit Duration: 0.5–1 hour

Tel: 400-1151-222

Opening Hours:

Winter (Dec 1 – Mar 1): 8:30–17:00; Other Seasons (Mar 2 – Nov 30): 8:00–18:00

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Mount Qingcheng Scenic Area ticket.