Xunyang Taiji Temple

　　The Taiji Temple is situated beneath the “Phoenix Holding a Book” cliff on the right side of the barbican outside the west gate of the old town of Xunyang County, atop the Taiji River’s “meandering city-surrounding waters.” It appears to rise abruptly from the steep cliffs of Dong’erbian, embodying the charm of “borrowing cool breezes with ease and bright moonlight with grace; dynamic views of flowing water and serene views of mountains,” and features a unique architectural style. The halls are resplendent and magnificent, adorned with gilded images of deities; an ancient celestial palace now serves as a place where people pray for peace and well-being.

　　According to the Guangxu-era Xunyang County Annals, “The cave temple on Dong’erbian was built during the Ming Dynasty.” The preface of the Restoration Stele of the Piaoyou Tower, dated “the auspicious month of spring in the Republic of China,” states: “Outside the west gate of Xun County, beneath the Phoenix Holding a Book cliff at Dong’erbian, in front of the former Ming King’s palace, there used to be a Piaoyou Tower—what we now call the theater stage. It was burned down in the 12th year of the Tongzhi reign (1873), leaving only traces. In the 9th year of Tongzhi (1870), Magistrate Wang Sun, reasoning that serving the divine and governing the people were duties to be fulfilled, ordered local gentry and merchants…” In 1982, it was designated as a county-level key cultural relics protection unit by the county government. In 1984, it was repaired and handed over for use by cultural and museum authorities.

　　The restoration project of the Taiji Taoist Temple commenced on September 16, 2009, and was completed on August 8, 2010. The newly restored Taiji Temple consists of main structures including the Main Hall, Second Hall, Scripture Depository Tower, and Taoist Bell Pavilion, interconnected with scenic spots such as the “Soul-Recovering Cave,” “Sky Ladder Bridge,” “Large Oak Tree,” and “Jiulong Pool,” offering ever-changing views along the way. Lush trees, overlapping peaks, connected caves and pools, and harmonious coordination between temple towers, pavilions, and corridors create a picturesque scene.

　　The Taiji Temple serves as a hub for one-day tours of Taiji City. To the east are the “Spirit Cliff and Fungus Herbs,” Mengda Earthen Mounds, and Wenxing Pagoda; to the south are the “Confucian Temple” Dacheng Hall, the “Copper Tablet under the Shade of Cypress Trees,” and the “Museum”; to the west are the west gate “Phoenix Holding a Book,” ancient city walls, West Battery, and Taiji City Forest Park; to the north are the “Meandering City-surrounding Waters,” Bagua (Eight Trigrams) landscape walkway, ruins of the ancient You Sheng Palace, Xiaoshan Stele Forest, and the martyrs' cemetery from the Mao Zedong era. The Scripture Depository Tower of the Taiji Temple houses the “China Taiji City Academy” and the “Taiji City Taoist Culture Library.” The first floor also features a service area where visitors can write calligraphy, leave inscriptions, shop, and purchase souvenirs.