Longhu Mountain Pilgrimage: Daoist Sacred Heartland

Pilgrimage Guide to Longhu Mountain: Step into the Famous Taoist Mountain and Embark on a Pilgrimage Journey!

If you yearn to escape the hustle and bustle of the city in search of a peaceful and mystical sacred place; if you are filled with admiration for Taoism and wish to explore its depths, Longhu Mountain is undoubtedly your perfect choice.

It is not only an important birthplace of Taoist culture but also boasts magnificent natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, and profound historical stories.

No. 1: Sihan Heavenly Master Mansion (嗣汉天师府)

In the mid-Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Daoling, the founder of Taoism and revered as "Ancestor Tianshi" (Celestial Master), practiced alchemy and attained enlightenment on Longhu Mountain. Legend has it that "when the alchemy was completed, a dragon and a tiger appeared"—hence the name "Longhu Mountain" (Dragon-Tiger Mountain).

In a broad sense, since the Ancestor Tianshi built a hut here for cultivation, any residence of the Tianshi can be referred to as "Tianshi Mansion". In a narrow sense, however, the specific Tianshi Mansion constructed in history was first built in the 4th year of the Chongning era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1105). It was a private residence granted by Emperor Huizong of Song to Zhang Jixian, the 30th-generation Tianshi. Its original site was at Guanmenkou in Shangqing Town (roughly east of the current Tianshi Mansion, with its exact location no longer verifiable).

The current Tianshi Mansion is located in the middle of Shangqing Town, oriented north-south. It faces the Luxi River at the front, backs onto Xihua Mountain, is 1 kilometer east of Dashangqing Palace, and 6 kilometers west of Zhengyi Temple. Covering an area of 43,000 square meters with a construction area of 24,000 square meters, it features a Bagua (Eight Trigrams)-shaped layout. Its halls stand towering, surrounded by mountains and water, exuding extraordinary grandeur.

No. 2: Palace of the Supreme Pure One (大上清宫)

Palace of the Supreme Pure One is a renowned and vital Taoist temple on Longhu Mountain. It is the largest temple where successive generations of Tianshi preached Taoism, conferred Taoist ordinations, and held major ritual ceremonies. It also served as a place for Tianshi of all dynasties to worship immortals.

Since the Song Dynasty, Dashangqing Palace has nurtured numerous eminent Taoists who assisted the Tianshi and promoted the glory of Longhu Mountain. During its heyday, the number of Taoists on Longhu Mountain remained around a thousand for a long time. As a result, Dashangqing Palace included a large number of sub-temples for Taoists to practice, worship immortals, and engage in spiritual cultivation. The Stele Inscription of Fanxi Temple on Longhu Mountain describes it as follows: "Among the mountains south of the Yangtze River, Longhu Mountain is the mysterious capital of immortals and sages. Dashangqing Palace occupies a place where vital energy converges, and there are no fewer than a hundred auxiliary temples around it" (from A Compilation of Taoist Inscriptions on Metal and Stone).

When Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty granted a royal plaque inscribed with "Dashangqing Palace", the palace reached a construction scale of 2 main palaces, 12 halls, and 24 auxiliary courtyards, covering a construction area of over 20,000 square meters. Its scale was not only the largest in the Jiangnan region but also among the top in the country, holding a lofty cultural status in Taoist history. Thus, it has long been known as "the Metropolis of Immortals" and "the Place Where Hundreds of Gods Receive Their Mandates". The inheritance, rise and fall, and interactions throughout its history have woven a historical tapestry of Longhu Mountain’s Taoist culture.

No. 3: Zhengyi Temple （正一观）

Zhengyi Temple is the site where Zhang Daoling, the Ancestor Tianshi, built a hut to practice alchemy over 1,900 years ago. Located in Longhu Village, Longhu Town, it was originally named "Ancestral Temple of Tianshi" and is 6 kilometers south of Tianshi Mansion. Zhang Sheng, the 4th-generation Tianshi, moved from Hanzhong to this mountain and built a shrine here to worship the Ancestor Tianshi. In the 8th year of the Dabao era of the Southern Tang Dynasty (943), an imperial order was issued to construct the Tianshi Temple, and Chen Qiao, a Hanlin academician, wrote The Stele of the Newly Built Zhang Tianshi Temple on Longhu Mountain in Xinzhou.

In the 4th year of the Chongning era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1105), Zhang Jixian, the 30th-generation Tianshi, renovated the temple under imperial order. During the reign of Emperor Huizong, the Tianshi Temple was renamed "Yanfa Guan" (Temple of Spreading Dharma). In the 32nd year of the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty (1563), Emperor Shizong allocated funds for its reconstruction and renamed it "Zhengyi Temple" (Orthodox Unity Temple). In the 20th year of the Jiaqing era of the Qing Dynasty (1815), Zhang Yu, the 59th-generation Tianshi, repaired it again with public funds, maintaining its original layout.

In addition to funding the construction of temples, emperors of successive dynasties also bestowed about 70 qing of land (1 qing = 100 mu, a traditional Chinese land unit), ponds, and forests, yielding an annual rent of over 9,000 dan of grain (1 dan ≈ 50 kilograms). Combined with the thriving incense offerings from the people, Longhu Mountain’s Taoism developed a relatively independent economic capacity in history.

No. 4: Doushuai Palace on Xianren Cheng (Immortal Fortress)（仙人城）

Doushuai Palace is perched atop the peak of Xianyan (Immortal Rock). Facing east with its back to the west, it has five successive tiers and is supported by nine large pillars—symbolizing the imperial palace of the "Nine-Five Supreme" (a traditional Chinese term for emperors, representing supreme authority). Covering an area of 670 square meters and standing 19 meters tall, it features red walls, vermilion doors, double eaves, crimson pillars, and a roof covered with gray glazed tiles. Surrounded by granite railings, it looks extremely solemn and majestic.

Entering from the north, there is a pair of seal-script couplets on either side: "Overseeing the mountain caves and governing the immortal abodes; Opening a true realm near the human world". The couplet is excerpted from Longhu Mountain, a poem by Jie Xisi, a literary scholar and Hanlin compiler in the Yuan Dynasty. In the center of the main hall stands a statue of Laozi, the founder of Taoism, which is 12.3 meters tall—corresponding to Laozi’s philosophical thought that "Tao gives birth to the One, the One gives birth to the Two, the Two gives birth to the Three, and the Three gives birth to all things".

In the past, Zhang Jixian, the 30th-generation Tianshi honored as "Xujing Zhenjun" (True Lord of Void Tranquility), also admired the beautiful scenery here and wrote the magnificent verse: "A stream shimmers like merged glass; Myriads of cloud-shrouded mountains pile up in purple and emerald". Scenic spots along the Luxi River, such as Xiantao Stone (Fairy Peach Stone), Lianhua Stone (Lotus Stone), and Wuwen Village (Mosquito-Free Village), are also fully visible from here. Sometimes, when clouds drift between the mountains and a gentle breeze blows, looking down at the landscapes before you and gazing at the temple behind you, you will feel as if you are in a fairyland palace among immortal mountains.

No. 5: Dongyue Palace （东岳宫）

Dongyue Palace, also known as Dongyue Temple (also called "Outer Yue Palace" or "External Yue Palace"), is located on Gongda Zhou (Gongda Islet) in the eastern part of Shangqing Town on Longhu Mountain, opposite Shangqing Palace. First built in the late Northern Song Dynasty, it has undergone renovations and expansions during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, it preserves nearly 20 buildings, including a main hall, side halls, pavilions, wing rooms, and a stage, with a total construction area of nearly 1,000 square meters.

After hundreds of years of vicissitudes, Dongyue Palace underwent large-scale renovations and expansions during the Qianlong and Jiaqing eras of the Qing Dynasty. Despite repeated periods of decline and revival, its main hall, side halls, pavilions, wing rooms, and stage remain well-preserved, demonstrating its profound historical heritage.

Covering an area of nearly 1,000 square meters, Dongyue Palace has a rigorous layout. Its main architectural complex consists of a main hall, side halls, pavilions, and wing rooms. The overall structure not only retains the classic style of traditional Taoist temples but also incorporates architectural styles of different eras due to successive renovations, making it one of the important representatives of Longhu Mountain’s Taoist culture.

No. 6: Yingtan City God Temple （鹰潭城隍庙）

Yuehu City God Temple (also known as Weixian Temple or Weixian Shrine) is located in Xiaoshan Park, Yuehu New Town, Yingtan City—20 kilometers directly north of the Sihan Tianshi Mansion on Longhu Mountain. It enshrines Gui Qing (910–992), who held the titles of "Silver and Azure Light Grand Master", "Shangzhu State" (a high-ranking honorary title), and "Military Governor of Xinzhou for Border Defense" during the Southern Tang Dynasty. During his lifetime, Gui Qing suppressed bandits, quelled rebellions, protected the region, and safeguarded the people, earning deep love and respect from the people. To commemorate his meritorious deeds, the people of Xinzhou built a shrine for him in Jingkeng (also known as Guidian). In the early Yuan Dynasty, "Weixian Shrine" was built in Yingtan (near the current Chenghuang Garden in Yingtan).

In the 2nd year of the Qingyuan era of the Song Dynasty (1196), the imperial court granted a plaque inscribed with "Weixian Shrine". Zeng Wenzhuang, a minister of the Northern Song Dynasty, wrote a stele inscription for the Weixian Shrine: "Lord Gui (Gui Qing) could defend the country against disasters and calamities both in life and after death; his loyal and heroic spirit shall never fade". During the Zhida era of the Yuan Dynasty, Huang Fugui, a poet from Anren (now Yujiang), also wrote in his poem Weixian Temple: "Gui Sikong (a high official title), loyal and heroic of the Southern Tang, his spirit has soared like a rainbow for over three hundred years".

No. 7: Shangqing Ancient Town

Shangqing Ancient Town has a history of over a thousand years. As part of the Longhu Mountain Scenic Area, it is 25 kilometers away from Yingtan’s urban area and boasts a long-standing Taoist culture. The town features distinctive Gan-style architecture, historical sites, and simple, sincere folk customs. The ancient street of Shangqing connects scenic spots such as Changqing Fang (Changqing Archway) and Tianshi Mansion into a continuous line, forming a highly attractive tourist route.

No. 8: Longhu Mountain – the Danxia Fairyland

Longhu Mountain in Jiangxi Province is China’s 8th World Natural Heritage site, a World Geopark, a National Natural and Cultural Dual Heritage site, a National 5A-level Tourist Attraction, and a Major National Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

Known as the "Danxia Fairyland", Longhu Mountain’s main scenic areas include Shangqing Palace Scenic Area, Tianshi Mansion Scenic Area, Longhu Mountain Scenic Area, Xianyan Shuiyan Scenic Area (Immortal Rock and Water Rock Scenic Area), Cliff Tomb Group Scenic Area, Xiangbi Mountain Paiya Stone Scenic Area (Elephant Trunk Mountain and Paiya Stone Scenic Area), and Dufeng Mazu Rock Scenic Area (Single Peak Mazu Rock Scenic Area). Longhu Mountain features Danxia landform in its old-age stage, with scattered mountain blocks forming a peak forest landscape. The topographic elevation difference is relatively small, with a maximum of only about 240 meters, giving it an overall delicate and graceful appearance.

Travel Tips for Longhu Mountain

Yingtan was once an important railway hub in southern China, so traveling to Yingtan by train is the most convenient option. However, Yingtan’s two railway stations are easily confused by outsiders, so here is a brief explanation: "Yingtan Station" in the main urban area is called the "Old Railway Station", while "Yingtan North Station" in Xiabu Town (suburb) is also known as the "High-Speed Railway Station". Please purchase tickets based on your needs.
After exiting Yingtan North Station (High-Speed Railway Station), there is a special bus line to Yingtan Station (Old Railway Station), departing every 15 minutes from 7:15 to 22:00. A taxi ride from the high-speed railway station to the old railway station costs around 15–20 yuan.
After exiting Yingtan Station (Old Railway Station), turn left and walk 100 meters (to the west of the station), where you will find many buses. Look for the earth-yellow minibus with a sign on the front windshield that reads "Yingtan – Shangqing" and board it. The fare is 10 yuan, and the operating hours are from 7:00 to 17:30. Do not take the bus labeled "Yingtan – Longhu Mountain". After boarding, tell the conductor that you are going to Tianshi Mansion and ask them to remind you when you arrive. After about a 50-minute ride, you will reach a road paved with bluestones, and soon you will see the Tianshi Mansion with red walls and gray tiles. Get off at the back gate (north gate) of the Tianshi Mansion.
If you arrive in Yingtan and miss the bus, you can either stay in Yingtan for the night or take a taxi to Shangqing Town. The taxi fare is approximately 120 yuan from the high-speed railway station to Shangqing Town, and around 100 yuan from the old railway station to Shangqing Town.
If traveling by plane, you can only fly to Nanchang Changbei International Airport first, then transfer to a train, high-speed railway, or bus to Yingtan Railway Station or Yingtan North Station. Once in Yingtan, refer to Tip 2 for further travel arrangements.
Food and Accommodation: For dining, there are many restaurants near Tianshi Mansion—just choose a clean and hygienic one. For accommodation, there are also numerous hotels and guesthouses nearby. You can check the conditions in person; ordinary hotels cost around 100–120 yuan per night. (During peak tourist seasons or large-scale events at Tianshi Mansion, accommodation may be in short supply and prices may rise. Please use mobile apps to book accommodation in advance.)