#Yuntai Taoist Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Taoist Temples
Address:
Anju Town, Santai County 621115, China
Opening times:
Open today at 08:00-17:00Opening Soon
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hour
Phone:
15669532759
The second largest Taoist temple in Sichuan that 99% of people don't know about
When it comes to 'Tales of China', surely everyone is familiar with it, and the prototype of the Cat Temple in the drama is located in this thousand-year-old Taoist temple, which worships the cat god of the ancient Qi state. This is the 'Yuntai Temple' in Santai, Mianyang.
Yuntai Temple was founded in the seventh year of Jiading during the Southern Song Dynasty, originally named Yousheng Temple. It is the second largest Taoist temple in Sichuan after Qingcheng Mountain and one of the three imperial Taoist temples in the country, a famous scenic spot in Shu. Yuntai Temple faces south with its back to the north and consists of a triple quadrangle linkage, forming a central axis symmetry. The temple is adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and dougong, ancient cypresses, lush bamboo forests, and mottled walls, all telling the profound sense of history with a hint of mystery.
'Main Buildings of the Taoist Temple'
Ming Dynasty: Xuantiangong, Qinglong White Tiger Hall, Quangong Gate, Sanhe Gate, Shihua Tablet, Yudai Bridge
Qing Dynasty: Bell and Drum Tower, Xiangting, Scripture Storage Tower, Chaojing Que, Demon-Subduing Hall, Lingguan Hall, Nine-Room Building, Chenghuang Temple, Guanyin Pavilion, Sanhuang Hall
'Main Hall of the Taoist Temple'
Xuantiangong:
The main hall of Yuntai Temple, rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty, has two dragons coiling around the outside, and immortal children in red silk riding on the dragons as if soaring through the clouds with extraordinary valor. It is said that the main door was made by Lu Ban during the Warring States period, which is quite peculiar, as it makes the sound of a rooster crowing and a phoenix chirping when opened, audible for miles.
'Taoist Temple Cultural Relics'
Existing cultural relics from the Ming Dynasty include a bronze bell, bronze tripod, plaques, 'Holy Edict' ribbed tablet, imperial sword, and various bestowed scriptures
⏳Ways to Visit:
Choose self-driving and navigate directly to 'Yuntai Temple', with convenient parking at 10 yuan per vehicle, not recommended to park at 'Xuantian Yuntai', which charges by time
Choose hiking, starting from the southern sky, about 1h to reach the temple (passing through one sky gate, two sky gates, three sky gates in order)
📍Detailed Address: Yuntai Village, Anju Town, Santai County, Mianyang City, Sichuan
🚉Travel Tips:
Take the high-speed train from Chengdu to Daying East, then rent a car/taxi to get there, not recommended to take a taxi from Mianyang
Drive from Chengdu, along the Shanghai-Chengdu, Chengdu-Bazhong, Suide Expressways, the journey takes 1.5h
💰Ticket/Business: Free 09-00-17:00 (Free to offer three sticks of incense)
🗓Itinerary:
Nearby attractions include Qijiang Ancient Town, Xuantian Yuntai, Qijiang Zijin Bay Han Tomb Cluster
Elijah MacGregor
The second largest Taoist temple in Sichuan that 99% of people don't know about!
Do you know where the second largest Taoist temple in Sichuan is?
It was founded during the Southern Song Dynasty
And has nearly a thousand years of history!
The sounds of Taoism still echo within the temple, and ancient trees reach for the skies!
However, not many tourists come here
It's indeed a great place for cultivating one's moral character!
This place is the Yuntai Temple in Santai County, Mianyang, Sichuan
A secluded spot for quiet contemplation hidden in the mountains!
We came here during the New Year's holiday
But there were hardly any visitors!
Here you can not only enjoy the beauty of ancient architecture and relics!
While marveling at the superb skills of the ancients
One can reflect on the impetuousness of modern people
And slowly ponder one's own self
You can feel a moment of peace in your heart
It's definitely a hidden gem for off-the-beaten-path travel!
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👏🏻If you have any questions, feel free to chat in the comments!
📸Photo taken at the end of December
📷Photography tips:
🟠If you climb up from the Nantian Archway, there are many beautiful ancient buildings along the way, and if it's a sunny morning, the photos will be gorgeous!
🟡The two ancient trees at the entrance of Yuntai Temple are very impressive when shot with a wide-angle lens!
🟢If you come here in traditional attire to take photos, you will definitely get some great shots!
📍Location: Sichuan, Mianyang, Santai
🚗Transportation:
🟠If you only want to visit Yuntai Temple, you can navigate directly to Yuntai Temple, and you can drive right up to the entrance, where parking is charged
🟡If you want to walk the mountain roads, you can navigate to Nantian, and you can park your car in a nearby scenic area called Xuantian Yuntai
💰Admission: Free admission, parking at the entrance costs 10 yuan, parking in Xuantian Yuntai scenic area is charged by the hour
❗TIPS:
❤️It is said that you can eat vegetarian meals here, but we missed the mealtime when we went, so we don't know if it's actually possible
🧡Xuantian Yuntai at the foot of the mountain and Yuntai Temple are not the same place, don't get them confused
💛If you want to climb the mountain, you can park your car inside the Xuantian Yuntai scenic area
💜The Cat Temple can only be reached on foot, and the closest route is from the Nantian Archway at the foot of the mountain
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efficient.leona
The overlooked second largest Taoist temple in Sichuan! It has been nearly a thousand years!
This is the second largest Taoist temple in Sichuan
It was founded during the Southern Song Dynasty!
It has been destroyed in wars
Reconstructed and expanded multiple times after the Ming Dynasty
It has been relatively well-preserved!
This is the Yuntai Temple in Santai, Mianyang, Sichuan!
The main hall, Xuantiangong, is majestic
Rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty
Two five-clawed golden dragons wrap around the columns outside the hall!
Two royal dragon boys dressed in red embroidery stand on the dragons with extraordinary bearing
The beams are all carved with exquisite patterns!
Seeing them makes one marvel at the beauty of ancient artifacts
Besides Xuantiangong
There are the Jiangmodian, Guanyinge, Yudai Bridge, Yuntai Shengjing Fang, and so on
All ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties
With great ornamental value
There is also the prototype of the Tan Cat Temple from Chinese strange tales
A trip to Yuntai Temple is definitely worthwhile