Yunqiu Mountain – A Vital Part of Chinese Civilization

Wulong Palace is located on the cliff above the entrance to the Yunqiu Mountain scenic area. According to legend, when the Northern deity Zhenwu Dadi achieved immortality, five auspicious dragons lifted him to the heavens. The palace was named after this story. Wulong Palace was built in the late Yuan to early Ming Dynasty, approximately 600 years ago, by Quanzhen Taoist monks from the Longmen and Huashan sects, funded by local donations. The palace is divided into five levels, following the contours of the mountain.

Upon entering, visitors first encounter the Lingguan Hall, dedicated to Wang Lingguan, a Taoist guardian deity. The main hall on the first level is the Zhenwu Hall, where Zhenwu Dadi, the god of peace in the north, is worshipped. The second level houses the Caishen Hall and Guandi Hall, dedicated to the Taoist and Confucian gods of wealth. The third level features the Five Dragons Hall, commemorating the five dragons that lifted Zhenwu Dadi. The fourth level is the Lüzu Hall, honoring Lü Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, believed to grant health and longevity. The fifth and highest level is the Sanqing Hall, where the highest Taoist deities, the Three Pure Ones (Yuanshi Tianzun, Lingbao Tianzun, Daode Tianzun) and the Four Royals (Jade Emperor, North Pole Emperor, Celestial Emperor, and Queen of the Earth), are venerated.

Babao Palace, built in the early Qing Dynasty, is a temple that unites the three teachings of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. It was constructed by the 23rd generation of the Huashan sect and the 24th generation of the Longmen sect. The palace was named “Babao” (Eight Treasures) after Wulong Palace allocated eight ingots during its construction. Because it is located north of Wulong Palace and was built later, it is also colloquially known as the “Rear Palace.” Babao Palace is a five-story, tiered structure. The first floor features the Hall of the Three Ancestors in the center, flanked by the Medicine King Hall and the Jiuku Tianzun Hall. The second floor houses the Shengmu Hall, the third floor the Zushi Hall, the fourth floor the Jade Emperor Hall, and the fifth floor the Sanqing Hall. When Wang Chongyang, the founder of Quanzhen Taoism, established the sect, he advocated for the equality of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, promoting the idea of “Three Teachings, One Ancestral Wind.” The construction of the Hall of the Three Ancestors in Babao Palace reflects this philosophy, incorporating the essence of these teachings.

The Yunqiu Mountain Ice Cave Cluster is one of the three great ice cave wonders of the world, formed during the Quaternary Ice Age, over 3 million years ago. Currently, 14 ice caves have been discovered at Yunqiu Mountain, with 5 of them open to the public. The caves span a total length of 199 meters, with the widest point reaching 12 meters and the highest point 15 meters. Inside the caves, the walls are covered in ice, creating a landscape of uneven surfaces with unique formations such as ice pillars, stalagmites, icicles, and ice flowers. The transparent ice formations, illuminated by colorful lights, create a dreamlike atmosphere resembling a palace from a dragon’s lair.

Yulian Cave is located beneath a sheer cliff northwest of the ancient village of Ta’erpo. The cliff, towering hundreds of meters high, has a natural stone formation where mineral-rich water flows down over time, forming an upside-down natural lotus flower. The cave itself stretches 80 meters from east to west, with a depth of 20 meters and a height of 230 meters, and can accommodate over 3,000 people. The structures within the cave were first built during the Yuan Dynasty. According to inscriptions found in Yulian Cave, Qiu Chuji, a prominent figure in the Quanzhen Taoist sect, and his disciples Sun Zhijian and Lü Zhizhong came to this sacred place to practice Taoism, making Yulian Cave the birthplace of the Longmen sect of Quanzhen Taoism. The first generation of Taoist priests from the “Dao” lineage of the Longmen sect began their teachings here.

Ta’erpo Ancient Village has a history spanning over 2,500 years. The village is named after the Taoist philosopher Laozi, who is said to have stayed here during his travels. Attracted by the area’s favorable feng shui, later generations of Taoists came to the nearby mountains to meditate and practice, eventually settling alongside the local villagers, which led to the formation of the village. The entire village is nestled between mountains and water, surrounded by ancient trees, giving it the appearance of a secluded paradise. The village comprises 43 courtyards built on the slopes, arranged in a tiered manner. Most of the buildings are stone-arched cave dwellings, with some constructed directly into the mountainside, including stone and earthen caves. The houses reflect ancient stone architecture while ingeniously utilizing the natural landscape. Courtyards are interconnected, cave dwellings lead to other caves, and some courtyards are linked by hidden passageways, providing strong defensive capabilities and privacy. This labyrinthine structure has earned Ta’erpo the title of a “living fossil of ancient residential architecture.”

Zushi Peak, located on Shenlong Ridge, is the second-highest peak of Yunqiu Mountain, with an elevation of 1,330 meters. According to legend, Zhenwu Emperor chose this location for his cultivation site because of its exceptional feng shui – bounded by the Fen River in the front, Bijia Mountain in the back, and surrounded by other peaks. At the age of 42, Zhenwu Emperor achieved spiritual enlightenment and ascended to heaven during the day. The Jade Emperor then appointed him as the guardian of the North and the leader of the Xuanwu constellation, earning him the title “Zushi” or “Ancestor Master.” Revered as the God of Peace, a temple was built on Zushi Peak in his honor, attracting hundreds of thousands of devotees annually who come to pray for peace and protection. The temple structures on Zushi Peak date back to the Song and Yuan dynasties, consisting of three levels. The first level served as a residence for Taoist monks, the second level is a natural stone fortress, and the top level houses Zushi Temple, measuring 7.34 meters in length, 4.65 meters in width, and 15 meters in height. Legend has it that when the temple was built on the mountain, there were no roads to transport construction materials, so flocks of sheep miraculously carried the bricks and tiles at night, an event referred to as “Divine Sheep Transport.”

Yuhuang Peak, situated at the highest point of Shenlong Ridge in Yunqiu Mountain, stands at an elevation of 1,629 meters. From here, one can see Fuxi Ridge of Mashou Mountain to the east, the rolling mountain ranges to the west, the vast Hedong Plain to the south, and the imposing Lüliang Mountains to the north. The architectural structure on Yuhuang Peak, originally built during the Song and Yuan dynasties, features a three-tiered pavilion with a double-eaved, cross-hipped roof. The first level served as the residence for Taoist monks, the second level houses the Star Hall and the Beamless Hall, and the third level is the Yuhuang Pavilion, which is 6.4 meters long, 6.32 meters wide, and 15 meters high. Inside the Yuhuang Pavilion, the Jade Emperor and the Sun and Moon Gods are enshrined. In Taoism, the Jade Emperor is regarded as the supreme deity, the ruler of all heavens, and the master of all saints, governing the Three Realms – heaven, earth, and humanity – and overseeing the fate of all beings. The Star Hall is dedicated to the six stars of the Southern Dipper and the seven stars of the Northern Dipper, with the Southern Dipper associated with life and the Northern Dipper with death.