Fully Understand Tao in the Birthplace of Taoism
If you are interested in Chinese Taoism, you will not miss the trip to the birthplace of Taoism - Mount Heming, one of the Four Taoist Mountains in China - Mount Qingcheng and the No.1 Taoist temple in West China - Qingyang Palace. Besides the Taoist culture exploration, this tour also takes you to explore the highlights of Chengdu and Dujiangyan.
Highlights of this tour
This morning you will make a stirring visit to Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding which is not only the most important panda scientific research center, but also dwelling home for more than 100 Giant Pandas. Walk at leisure through the bamboo framed paths, and closely observe giant pandas of different ages eating bamboos, playing with each other, tumbling, climbing trees, etc. Don’t miss the chance to watch female pandas nursing their cubs in the nursery rooms. There is also a very informative Panda Museum for you to learn more scientific facts about Giant Pandas.
After happy hours with pandas, you will visit Qingyang Palace, the oldest and largest Taoist temple in the southwest of China, which was said the founder of Taoism, Lao Tsu, made the first sermon about Taoism. Now, it is still used for prayer purposes, and you can enjoy the calm and the peace and enjoy the Taoist vibe. Visit the orderly complex, like Lingzu Palace, Hunyuan Palace, Eight Diagram Pavilion, Sanqing Palace, Doumu Palace and Three Platforms.
Chengdu is famous for its relaxing and leisure pace throughout China, which will be proved after a stay in Renmin Park. Sit down, order a pot of Chinese tea, make a casual chat with your friends and watching locals indulging themselves in different kinds of folk entertainment – napping in a lively teahouse, playing mahjong, disco dancing, neck massage, ear cleaning… Next is an impressive trip to the famous Jinli Old Street. Time steals away from you quietly while walking on the lively streets which are full of delicious local snacks, delicate artifacts, interesting folk shows, etc.
In the morning, your guide and driver will pick you at your hotel in Chengdu downtown area. The following day is the UNESCO World Heritage Site exploration with 1.5 hours’ driving from Chengdu to Dujiangyan. Upon arrival, you’ll first pay a visit to Dujiangyan Irrigation System, a 2000 year-old living world heritage to solve problems of diverting water without the use of dams. The system is still working to irrigate Chengdu Plain and it’s the real reason why Chengdu is called “the Land of Abundance”. Visit the three main parts of the weir woks controlling the water from the upper valley of the Minjiang River including Yuzui Bypass Dike, Feishayan Floodgate, Baopingkou Diversion Passage, and be amazed by the wisdom of ancient Chinese. After getting to know the theory of system, extend to the nearby Erwang Temple to meet Li Bing and and his son who constructed this ecological engineering feat around 256 BC.
Later, drive about 16 kilometers to Mount Qingcheng (Front Mountain), the birthplace of Taoism! In 142 CE the philosopher Zhang Ling founded the doctrine of Chinese Taoism here. Most of the essential elements of Taoism culture are embodied in the teachings of Taoism that emanated from the temples that were subsequently built on the mountain during the Jin and Tang dynasties. In this afternoon, the first temple you are going to visit is Jianfu Palace built in 730 in Tang Dynasty. Walk into the holy palace to know many Taoism celebrities and appreciate the famous couplet regarded as “The First of Mount Qingcheng”. Then, enjoy the short boat experience across Yuecheng Lake which lying quietly at the middle of the mountain. Take the 5-minute Buyun Cableway up to the mountain. Next is a relaxing walk to the mountain top, and stop to visit Shangqing Palace for a deep understanding about Laozi, a famous ancient Chinese philosopher and the reputed author of the Tao Te Ching. Continue your walking to Laojun Pavilion situated at the highest peak of Mount Qingcheng (1,260 meters). This pavilion rises 33 meters in nine layers, from a square base symbolizing the Earth to a circular top symbolizing the round sky. Getting into the pavilion, you can view a huge statue of Laozi riding a water buffalo and get the breathtaking panoramic of the whole mountain. After the enjoyable time on the top, return via the same way you come.
Stay overnight in Dujiangyan City.
After breakfast, your guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel. Today, you’ll be transferred to Mount Heming in Dayi County which is regarded as the birthplace of Taoism where Zhang Daoling founded the Tradition of the Mighty Commonwealth of Orthodox Oneness in Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 126~144).
Enter into the Arch of Mount Heming which means you are into a fairyland of Taoism. Walk and pass through Yingxian Pavilion which had great relationship with Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of Wudang Sect who came to Mount Heming practice Tao; follow your step to Yanxiang Temple surrounded with old trees and inscriptions, and reach Doulao Palace and Palace of Three Saints which has statues of the Supreme God of Taoism (Tao Te Tianzun), Lu Tungpin, Taichi Master Zhang Sanfeng; visit Celestial Master Palace with the statue of Zhang Daoling inside, explore Shangqing Palace with the statue of the Supreme God of Taoism and lots of inscriptions. If you have more time, have a further exploration to Wenchang Palace, Tiangu Cave.
After the tour, be escorted back to your hotel in Chengdu or be transferred to airport / train station for your flight or train to next destination. Service ends!
Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Chengdu
Chengdu / Dujiangyan / Chengdu
“Very good experience”
“WONDERFUL 25 DAYS IN CHINA - PRIVATE TOUR”
“Awesome China tour from northeast to southwest”
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