The Eight Immortals Palace

The Eight Immortals Palace, located in Changlefang, East Gate of Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, is the largest Taoist temple in Xi'an and a famous Taoist building in northwest China. It is said to have been built in the Song Dynasty and has been repaired in subsequent dynasties. The existing main buildings were all constructed in the Qing Dynasty. It is named "Eight Immortals Palace" because the temple mainly enshrines the statues of the eight legendary immortals: Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguai Li, Cao Guojiu, Lü Dongbin, Lan Caihe, and He Xiangu.

The Eight Immortals Palace was originally named the Eight Immortals Nunnery. When the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing, Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu fled to Xi'an and once lived in the Eight Immortals Nunnery. For this reason, Cixi specially donated silver to renovate the temple and bestowed the name "Imperially Constructed Longevity Eight Immortals Palace", hence the name of the Eight Immortals Palace.

Across the road in front of the Eight Immortals Palace stands a huge brick screen wall, on which are inscribed the four characters "Wangu Changqing" (Everlasting through the Ages). On the north side of the road, there is a tall painted archway. On both sides of the road behind the archway are two-story buildings imitating ancient architecture, which are Chang'an Tavern and Cultural Relics Store.

Stepping into the mountain gate, the Bell Tower and Drum Tower stand separately on the left and right. In the middle of the first courtyard is the Yuxian Bridge (Meeting the Immortal Bridge). It is said that when Wang Chongyang, the founder of the Quanzhen School of Taoism, went out to seek Tao, he attained Tao because he met Ancestor Lü Dongbin at Ganhe Bridge and was taught the "Five Chapters of Spiritual Texts". Therefore, all Quanzhen ten-direction jungles (Taoist temples) built Yuxian Bridge in commemoration. The front of the courtyard is the Linggong Hall. In the center of the hall, there is a colored statue of Wang Lingguan, the patron saint of Taoism. On both sides stand the colored statues of Generals Qinglong (Green Dragon) and Baihu (White Tiger). The front of the second courtyard is the Eight Immortals Hall with five bays, which is the main hall of the Eight Immortals Palace and a place where grand religious activities are held daily in the Taoist temple. Hanging in the center of the hall door is the plaque "Biography of the Eight Immortals", written by Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty. In the center of the hall, Donghua Emperor is worshipped. On both sides are the colored clay statues of the eight immortals: Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguai Li, Lü Dongbin, Cao Guojiu, Lan Caihe, and He Xiangu.

The front of the third courtyard is the Doumu Hall. Hanging on the front of the hall door is the plaque with the four characters "Dongtian Yunji" (Abode of Immortals and Records of Clouds), written by Empress Dowager Cixi. In the center of the hall, Doumu Yuanjun is worshipped, and on both sides are the statues of stars such as Wenqu, Wuqu, Tanlang, and Pojun among the Big Dipper. There are side courtyards on the east and west sides of the main hall. In the east courtyard, there are Lüzu Cave, Yaowang Hall, and Taibai Hall. "Lüzu" refers to Lü Dongbin, "Yaowang" (Medicine King) refers to Sun Simiao, and "Taibai" refers to Taibai Jinxing (Venus God). The worship of Taibai Jinxing originates from ancient star worship and is the apotheosis of Venus, the third planet close to the sun in the solar system. In Taoism, Taibai God is said to symbolize wealth and fame. To the north of the west courtyard is Qiuzu Hall. Qiuzu (Ancestor Qiu) refers to Qiu Chuji. The other houses in the courtyard are the residences of the Taoists in the palace, so it is also called "Jianyuan" (Supervisory Court).

The Eight Immortals Palace is a famous resort for Taoist activities in Shaanxi. Every year on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month, which is both the Double Ninth Festival and the Grand Gathering of the Nine Emperors, an important Taoist festival, Taoists from surrounding areas often gather at the Eight Immortals Palace. At night, the place is brightly lit and full of lively atmosphere.