Xianle Observatory

Xianle Observatory

• Located by the Dieshui River, with a stone divine turtle beneath the bridge, it represents the integration and exchange of inland and frontier cultures in China.

Attraction Introduction

Xianle Observatory was first built in the eighth year of the Guangxu reign during the Qing Dynasty (1882). Although the buildings are rather ordinary, the couplets in the halls have stumped many learned scholars. Legend has it that this couplet was written by a Taoist priest from Mount Qingcheng in Sichuan who was traveling through Tengchong at the time the Taoist temple was being constructed.

Xianle Observatory is located in the center of Tengchong County’s tourist area. To its right is a natural 2A-level waterfall formed by volcanic eruptions. There is also the Taiji Bridge, beneath which lies a natural stone turtle. During the Republican era, a local landlord surnamed Wang broke open the stone turtle to harness water power for milling grain. After cracking the turtle apart, they discovered a natural black-and-white Taiji (yin-yang) diagram inside. The bridge and turtle were later restored. The main hall, the Queen Mother Hall, represents the integration and exchange of inland and frontier cultures. Deities such as Lü Dongbin, Wen Chang, and Qiu Chuji are also worshipped and revered by local residents. A particularly interesting couplet in one of the side halls of Xianle Observatory describes the Eight Immortals, roughly translated as: “Zhongli shakes his fan after pointing a stone; Laozi rides his donkey across Zhao Bridge. The Imperial Uncle holds a cloud-flute board; Xiangzi enjoys jade flute music by the Jade Pool. Dianbing, the sword-carrying man of pure wind; Li Tieguai, the high immortal with his gourd. Fairy He offers immortal wine; Caihe presents peaches in her flower basket.”

Address: Baofeng Road, Tengchong County, Baoshan City

Type: Historical Architecture – Taoist Observatory

Recommended Visit Duration: 0.5 hour

Ticket Information:

Free admission.