Yunlu Palace (云麓宫) is situated at the right peak of Yuelu Mountain and is one of the 23 Taoist sanctuaries known as Zhenxu Blessed Land. It was originally constructed in 1478 during the reign of Emperor Chenghua of the Ming Dynasty by Prince Jijian when he was stationed in Changsha. During the Jiajing period (1522-1566), the palace was expanded by Prefect Sun Fu and Taoist Li Kejing, creating a more complete Taoist temple complex. However, it was later destroyed.
In the Longqing period (1567-1572), Jin Shoufen, a Taoist practicing on the mountain, initiated the reconstruction with the help of Zhang Yanghe, the top scholar at the time. Three halls were built on the original site: the Guandi Hall in the front, the Hall of the Patriarch Xuanwu in the middle, and the Sanqing Hall in the rear, collectively named Yunlu Palace. The palace suffered destruction twice during the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.
After the liberation of Changsha, a two-story pavilion with a hip-gable roof, named Wangxiang Pavilion, was constructed on the original site in 1956. From this pavilion, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking scenery described in the verse, “Ascend Yunlu three thousand feet, to gaze upon a million homes in Changsha.” The pavilion offers a panoramic view; to the south, one can see Mount Heng, and to the north, Dongting Lake, while the Xiang River and Orange Isle lie below.
In the courtyard behind the palace stands a 2-meter-tall stone stele. The front is inscribed with “Lu Peak’s Eternal Temple,” and the back records the details of its completion. In front of Yunlu Palace lies the Baiyue Stone, also known as the Feilai Stone, named for its vantage point to worship Mount Heng. An ancient bell, crafted in the fourth year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, hangs in a nearby tree. Despite exposure to the elements, the bell remains rust-free. The bell’s resonant sound is reminiscent of a “returning” tone, hence its nickname, “Returning Bell.”
Visitors to Yunlu Palace can also partake in traditional fortune-telling for a fee of 10 yuan per draw, or relax with tea at the outdoor tea house. A designated area for vehicles, known as Houcheping, is available in front of the palace. From here, visitors can either continue their journey on foot or take an electric cart for further exploration aroung Yuelu Mountain.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.30 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0731-88825011 |
Location and Transportation
Yunlu Palace is located at the right peak of Yuelu Mountain, on the west bank of the Xiang River in Changsha, Hunan Province. To reach Yunlu Palace, you can take bus numbers 63, 106, 132, 202, 305, 908, Lishan Line, or Tourist Line 1 and get off at the City Fourth Hospital Station, then enter through the East Gate of Yuelu Mountain. Alternatively, you can take bus numbers 132, 202, 305, Lishan Special Line, Tourist Line 1, or Tourist Line 3 and get off at Yuelu Mountain South Station, entering through the South Gate.
