Daoism is a traditional Chinese religion with a rich cultural heritage. China is home to countless famous Daoist mountains that have carried Daoist culture for thousands of years. Let’s explore the top ten Daoist mountains and see which of these ethereal and mystical places you’ve experienced.
1. Longhu Mountain (Mount Longhu)
Mount Longhu, located in Yingtan, Jiangxi Province, is the birthplace of Daoism. According to legend, Zhang Daoling, the founder of the Zhengyi school, once refined elixirs here. When the elixirs were successfully refined, a dragon and tiger appeared, hence the name "Mount Longhu" (Dragon and Tiger Mountain). It is the ancestral court of the Zhengyi sect of Daoism and is honored as the foremost Daoist paradise. Since the late Han Dynasty, successive Celestial Masters resided here, guarding the mountain and seeking immortality, maintaining the Daoist tradition for nearly 2000 years. At its peak, Mount Longhu had over 80 Daoist temples, 36 Daoist academies, and several palaces, making it a veritable "capital of Daoism." Its accumulated Daoist culture holds significant importance in the history of Daoism in China. Additionally, it is one of the best-developed Danxia landform areas in China, the eighth World Natural Heritage site in China, a national natural and cultural dual heritage site, a national 5A scenic area, a world geological park, a national forest park, and a key national cultural relic protection unit.
2. Mount Qingcheng
Mount Qingcheng, located in Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province, is the sacred site of the Longmen sect of Quanzhen Daoism and one of the birthplaces of Daoism. It was named after Qingcheng Zhangren, an ancient immortal known as Ning Fengzi, who was also known as Chi Songzi, a teacher of the Yellow Emperor. Legend has it that in the second year of Han An, Zhang Daoling chose Mount Qingcheng for its secluded and serene environment to preach Daoism. He later manifested his Dao and ascended here. Thus, Mount Qingcheng became one of the birthplaces of Daoism and was listed as the "Fifth Cave Heaven" in Daoism. In the late Tang Dynasty, the famous Daoist Du Guangting also came to Mount Qingcheng and lived there for nearly 30 years, combining the Tianshi Dao tradition with the Shangqing Dao. The main existing Daoist temples on Mount Qingcheng include Tianshi Cave, Patriarch Hall, Shangqing Palace, Laojun Pavilion, Jianfu Palace, Yuanming Palace, and Yuqing Palace.
3. Mount Wawu
Mount Wawu is a historical and cultural mountain in China with a long-standing Daoist tradition. It is a founding place of Daoism. In the late Spring and Autumn period, Laozi traveled west to Mount Wawu to seek the Dao and live in seclusion. In the late Han Dynasty, Zhang Daoling left the "Zhang Daoling Stele" at the foot of the mountain and founded the "Five Pecks of Rice" sect. Zhang Sanfeng practiced on Mount Wawu and established the "Wawu Sect." Although it was later falsely accused as a "demonic mountain" and banned, historical figures like Deng Tong, Piji, Zhang Daoling, Zhuge Liang, Ge Hong, Cen Shen, Su Shi, Lu You, Yang Shen’an, and He Shaoji all visited Mount Wawu. Even today, the customs of the Tianshi Dao are preserved in Yisu Township on Mount Wawu, with many houses displaying talismans and images of the Celestial Master, and fish carvings hanging from eaves, known as "living fossils" of the Tianshi Dao. Additionally, Mount Wawu is the homeland of the Chinese dove tree and the kingdom of rhododendrons.
4. Mount Mao
Mount Mao, originally named Juchu Mountain, is said to have been chosen by the brothers Mao Ying, Mao Gu, and Mao Zhong during the Western Han Dynasty as a place of spiritual cultivation. They healed the sick and helped people, leading to the renaming of Juchu Mountain to Mount Mao. Later, Yang Xi and Xu Mi, disciples of Lady Wei Huacun of Nanyue, established the "Shangqing Sect" on Mount Mao, thus the Mao Shan sect is also known as the Shangqing Sect. Mount Mao boasts nine peaks, nineteen springs, twenty-six caves, and twenty-eight pools, with towering peaks, misty clouds, peculiar rocks, deep winding caves, and scattered holy pools and springs. The grand Jiuxiao Wanfugong stands atop, with Ermao Peak and Sanmao Peak stretching down, creating a landscape reminiscent of an immortal realm.
5. Mount Sanqing
Mount Sanqing, located in Shangrao, Jiangxi Province, is named after its three main peaks, Yujing, Yuxu, and Yuhua, which resemble the Daoist deities Yuqing, Shangqing, and Taiqing. The mountain’s true Daoist connection lies with Ge Hong, who is said to have built huts and refined elixirs there, promoting Daoist teachings. Mount Sanqing is a national scenic area, a World Natural Heritage site, a world geological park, and a national 5A tourist attraction. The mountain features a stunning array of peaks, deep valleys, lush ancient trees, and diverse wildlife, all shrouded in mist, creating a divine and otherworldly atmosphere.
6. Mount Heming
Mount Heming, located in Dayi County, Sichuan Province, is named for its resemblance to a crane, the presence of stone cranes, and the habitation of real cranes. According to important historical records like "Records of the Three Kingdoms," "Book of the Later Han," and "Huayang Guozhi," Mount Heming in Dayi is the birthplace of Daoism, founded by Zhang Daoling during the late Han Dynasty. It is recognized worldwide as the birthplace of Chinese Daoism and a pilgrimage site for Daoists, known as the Daoist celestial capital and the ancestral court of Daoism. Many renowned Daoists have practiced here, including Du Guangting, Chen Xiyi, and Zhang Sanfeng.
7. Mount Wudang
Mount Wudang, also known as Mount Taihe, is located in Shiyan, Hubei Province. It is believed to be the place where the Daoist deity Zhenwu attained enlightenment and ascended to heaven, giving rise to the saying "Only Zhenwu is worthy of it," from which the mountain gets its name. Zhang Sanfeng is also said to have founded the Wudang Sect here, and the famous Taiji symbol is attributed to him. Consequently, Mount Wudang is also considered one of the birthplaces of Daoism and is celebrated as the "First Mountain under Heaven" in Daoism. Mount Wudang is both a sacred Daoist site and a renowned scenic area, and it is a national 5A tourist attraction. The mountain's rocks are primarily mica schist, eroded by natural forces into strange peaks and deep valleys. Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake highly praised Mount Wudang.
8. Mount Gexian
Mount Gexian, originally named Yun’gang Mountain, was renamed after the famous Daoist, pharmacologist, and founder of the Lingbao sect of Daoism, Ge Xuan (later known as Gexianweng), refined elixirs and ascended here. The mountain is also known as Mount Ge, and it is hailed as the "First Mountain of Lingbao in China." Mount Gexian is home to numerous ancient sites and scenic spots, including the Foot-Washing Pit, Mounting Stone, Dismounting Stone, Elixir Refining Platform, Resting Heart Rock, Immortal Footprints, Ascension Platform, Incense Burner Peak, Seven Star Well, Daoist Stone, Universal Tower, Sword Testing Stone, Dragon Eye Well, Hundred Steps Ridge, and thousand-year-old pine trees. Since the Ming Dynasty, Mount Gexian has observed the tradition of opening and closing its gates on the first of June and October, respectively, and the temple fairs held during these times have become a highlight of Gexian culture.
9. Mount Laojun
Mount Laojun, originally named Jingshi Mountain, was renamed after Laozi rode a green ox through the Hangu Pass and traveled to Jingshi Mountain to cultivate and refine elixirs. The North Wei Dynasty built a temple in his honor, and Tang Taizong had it renovated with an iron roof, renaming the mountain Mount Laojun. Since the construction of the Laojun Temple in the North Wei, Mount Laojun has become a central pilgrimage site for devotees. In the 19th year of the Ming Wanli reign, an imperial decree recognized Mount Laojun as a famous mountain in the realm. Mount Laojun now features several temples, including Lingguan Hall, Vinegar Hall, Suffering Hall, Laojun Temple, and Daoist Mansion, along with numerous cultural relics. Its unique sliding peak formations, stone forests, and breathtaking landscapes make it a world geological park, a national 5A tourist attraction, and a national nature reserve.
10. Mount Zhongnan
Mount Zhongnan, also known as Mount Taiyi, is renowned as the "Capital of Immortals," the "Crown of Cave Heavens," and the "First Blessed Land under Heaven." It is also the origin of many Daoist legends. It is said that Yin Xi, the patriarch of the Louguan and Wenshi schools of Daoism, was the warden of Hangu Pass. One day, noticing the purple aura from the east, he saw Laozi riding a green ox. Yin Xi invited Laozi to Mount Zhongnan, where Laozi preached and
