Qingyuan Mountain: Pilgrimage to the Supreme Laojun, a must-visit on your Quanzhou trip
Qingyuan Mountain is one of the eighteen scenic spots of Quanzhou and also a national key scenic area, consisting of three major sections: Qingyuan Mountain, Jiuri Mountain, and Ling Mountain Sacred Tomb. Since ancient times, Qingyuan Mountain has been famous for its 36 grotto-heavens and 18 scenic spots, especially Laojun Rock, Thousand-Hand Rock, Maitreya Rock, Bixiao Rock, Auspicious Elephant Rock, Tiger Milk Spring, South Platform Rock, Qingyuan Cave, and Engrace Rock.
According to the 'Quanzhou Prefecture Records' compiled during the Qing dynasty, Qingyuan Mountain was first developed during the Qin dynasty. During the Tang dynasty, the 'three teachings' of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism coexisted here, with traces of activities from Islam, Manichaeism, and Tibetan Buddhism as well.
Due to limited time during the Spring Festival, I looked at travel tips from netizens and wanted to focus on seeing Laojun Rock, so I chose the nearest route and drove directly to the southwest second gate. From the Gate of Wonders → Laojun Rock → Yuan Yuan Cave → Dragon-Seeing Platform → Master Hongyi's Relic Stupa, and then back the same way, the trip took about two hours. Walking and stopping along the way, the scenery was great! Of course, there are many other sights I didn't visit, leaving a reason to come back next time! 🌞
🌈 Main Attractions:
⭐ Laojun Rock
A treasure of Taoist stone carving art. Located on the central axis of ancient Quanzhou city, it is the earliest and largest existing Taoist stone carving of Laozi in China, and a typical representative of the diverse culture of Qingyuan Mountain.
⭐ Dust-Free Platform
The boundary between Taoism and Buddhism in the mountain. The 'Dust-Free' inscription on the stone was written by Master Hongyi. In the past, Taoist priests and monks often met here to discuss scriptures, drink tea, and play chess.
⭐ Master Hongyi's Relic Stupa
A stone stupa with a hexagonal spire and a square body. The 'Portrait of Master Hongyi' carved in the center of the inner wall is the 'Tears Ink Painting' drawn by the cartoonist Feng Zikai for his mentor. The last words 'Joy and Sorrow Intermingled' by the master are inscribed on a large rock on the east side.
🌈 Recommended Routes:
Route One: Pilgrimage to the Supreme Laojun Climbing the Stairs of Wisdom
Main attractions: Xuanmen, West Exit of Hangu Pass, Confucius Asks Laozi about Rituals, Tao Te Ching Stone Carving Group, Laojun Rock, Stairs of Wisdom (Hangan Palace, Yuan Yuan Cave, Dragon-Seeing Platform, Immortal's Bed, Taoist Cliff Carvings, Dust-Free Platform, Master Hongyi's Statue, Relic Stupa), etc.
Route Two: Strolling along the quiet path Exploring the diverse culture
Main attractions: Power Rock, Thousand-Hand Rock, Master Hongyi's Relic Stupa, Maitreya Rock, Bixiao Rock, Auspicious Elephant Rock, etc.
Route Three: Light vehicle mountain tour Sketching Qingyuan Mountain
Main attractions: Engrace Rock, Qingyuan Cave, Hundred Zhang Terrace, Green Ox Stone, Sky Lake, Tiger Milk Spring, South Platform Rock.
Very close to the city. The air on the mountain is good, humid, there are not many people, there are many small landscapes, very interesting. It is quite shocking to see the statue. I saw the monks and didn't know if it was Taoism or Buddhism hahaha
It was already Qingyuan Mountain last year. There are 70 adult tickets in the field and 35 elderly tickets. Local elderly people in Daquanzhou are free, and other people have 50 annual cards. ‼️ It should be noted that no matter where you buy tickets, you need to go to the window to change tickets. Some platforms are available for purchase, and some platforms need 2 hours to be used. There is a plank road in Laojunyan, which is very friendly to children. You can push it with a cart if you can't walk. On the other side, you can't go up from Qianfo Rock. My baby and I only went to the waterfall, and there was a place to worship next to the waterfall. Grandpa and grandma stormed to the top, and their feet were soft when they went down the mountain [laughs and tears] If you drive, there will be a staff member in each parking lot who will give you a small note. It is the parking code. You need to scan the code to pay when you leave (no payment in a short time, anyway, we walk here and walk there when we scan the code at the end There is no cost) climbing the mountain after the rain is cool even at noon, but the mosquito prevention must be done well.
There are fairy mountains overseas, nothingness. Qingyuan Mountain is next to Quanzhou City, and you can see the scenery of Quanzhou Old Town by climbing. The landscape is beautiful, and the addition of the first ancestor of Daojia Laozi is indeed worth a visit.
The mountain road is not high or far away, walk slowly, and it will be finished in 2 hours. I wanted to do a Jingjiao car. I met a private car soliciting in Nantai. 15 people, carpooling let the master put us in the back mountain gate of Shaolin Temple, saving the effort of going up and down the mountain. 12 bottles of Coke on the mountain are a bit spicy. There are fewer signs along the way.
Qingyuan Mountain is not bad. I took the elderly and children to climb the mountain. The whole mountain is not very high. There are some places on the mountain that are being repaired. However, it is not very good to go up the mountain road. I also encountered a horse team for transportation materials.
This attraction completed my wish to find the footprint of a mage 👣, the mountain has a spirit ~ Quanzhou culture is inclusive, and Taoist Buddhist Catholic Islam coexists. There is culture, history and food, it is a worthwhile trip.
Not far from the city, the bus is also convenient. There are Laozi stone statues and Yuanyi Mage Sheli Tower, the scenery is also good, some challenges, it is worth climbing. But the shuttle bus in the scenic spot did not see it, take a private car down the mountain, 15 per person.