Mianshan Daluo Palace

Mianshan Daluo Palace

Legend has it that during the Spring and Autumn Period, Jie Zhitui once witnessed here the highest realm of Taoism known as the "Daluo Immortal Realm", described as “Above the Three Pure Ones lies Jade Capital Mountain, which is covered by seven-treasure trees stretching over the eight directions of the Luo Heaven, called the Great Luo”. Later generations built the Daluo Palace based on this legend. Another tale says that a sister of Emperor Taizong of Tang once practiced Taoism in the Daluo Palace, and it was renovated again during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. After successive renovations through the dynasties, the Daluo Palace became the largest Taoist palace in China, acclaimed as the “No. 1 Taoist Temple under Heaven”.

Due to wars over the dynasties, the Daluo Palace was destroyed and rebuilt several times. On February 2, 1942, it was burned down by the Japanese invaders during the war. The current Daluo Palace was reconstructed on the original site with a massive investment of 400 million yuan by local benefactor Mr. Yan Jiying. To date, it houses over 60 Taoist halls and more than 600 statues of deities. Perched dramatically on the cliffs of Lion Mountain, the palace stands 13 stories high, reaching 110 meters, with stacked levels, green walls, golden tiles, painted beams, and carved rafters. A majestic stone lion carries the entire structure on its back, rendered vividly and powerfully. Floors one to seven consist of five-bay-wide spaces, mainly featuring halls such as the God of Wealth Hall, the Savior of Suffering Hall, the Three Officials Hall, the Sixty Yuan Shen Hall, the Doumu Hall, the Nine Luminaries Hall, the Twenty-Eight Mansions Hall, the Lingxiao Hall, the Three Pure Ones Hall, and the Five Elders Hall. Floors seven and above include the Hall of Wondrous Teachings, the Scripture Lecture Platform, the Chaos Hall, the Immortals Hall, and the Scripture Depository. Floors eight to thirteen are nine bays wide, with ten coiling dragon pillars under the corridors on each floor, resembling a celestial palace — a scene of resplendent gold and grand splendor. The main building covers an area of 10,000 square meters, while the entire architectural complex spans 30,000 square meters. The whole structure ingeniously blends Ming and Qing architectural styles with modern construction techniques. The towering towers, majestic pavilions, carved beams, and painted rafters create a magnificent yet classic elegance, comparable to the Potala Palace, thus earning the title “No. 1 Taoist Temple under Heaven”.

Address: Inside Mianshan Scenic Area, Yijiazhuang Village, Jiexiu City, Jinzhong City

Type: Historical Architecture / Taoist Temple

Recommended Visiting Time: About 0.5 hours

Ticket Information:

No separate ticket required. Included in the Mianshan ticket package.