由 wangyuning21@gmail.com The Qingcheng Mountain Scenic Area is located on Qingcheng Mountain Road in Qingcheng Mountain Town, Dujiangyan City, Chengdu City, Sichuan Province. It is 68 kilometers from Chengdu City and 16 kilometers from Dujiangyan City, and is part of the Qingcheng Mountain-Dujiangyan Tourist Area.
Qingcheng Mountain is one of the birthplaces of Taoism in China and is one of the famous Taoist mountains.
The Origins of Taoism
The connection between Qingcheng Mountain and Taoism dates back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. It is said that Zhang Daoling established the Five Bushels of Rice Sect here, making Qingcheng Mountain one of the birthplaces of Taoism and earning it the title of “Fifth Celestial Realm.” Zhang Daoling chose Qingcheng Mountain because of its beautiful scenery, tranquil environment, and seclusion from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, making it an ideal place for spiritual cultivation. He devoted himself to cultivation in the mountains, wrote books, and spread the teachings of Daoism, attracting numerous followers and gradually forming an early Daoist cultivation community.
Qingcheng Mountain was originally named Tianchang Mountain. According to legend, after Emperor Huangdi visited the Five Great Mountains, he bestowed the title of “Elder of the Five Great Mountains” upon Qingcheng Mountain, hence its alternative name, “Elder Mountain.” In the 18th year of the Kaiyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (730 AD), it was renamed Qingcheng Mountain.
There are two accounts regarding the origin of this name. One account states that Qingcheng Mountain is covered in lush greenery year-round, with peaks surrounding it like a city wall, hence the name “Qingcheng” (Green City) Mountain. The second account states that during the Tang Dynasty, Buddhism developed rapidly, and there was a territorial dispute between Buddhism and Daoism on the mountain. The case was brought before the emperor, and Emperor Xuanzong, who believed in Daoism, personally issued an edict stating, “The observatory shall belong to the Daoists, and the temple shall be outside the mountain.” However, the edict mistakenly wrote “Qingcheng” instead of “Qingcheng,” so the mountain was renamed Qingcheng Mountain.
Qingcheng Mountain admission fees are 80 RMB per person for the front mountain and 20 RMB per person for the back mountain. Children under 6 years old or under 1.2 meters in height are free. For transportation, it is recommended to take the tourist shuttle bus from Chengdu to Qingcheng Mountain. Accommodation options include the Yinshou Shangting Hotel on the front mountain or the Yunding Mountain Villa on the back mountain. For dining, try the “Four Delicacies of Qingcheng” and the bamboo-themed guesthouse in Taian Ancient Town.
Ticket Information
Front Mountain ticket: 80 yuan per person, student ticket: 45 yuan per person; Back Mountain ticket: 20 yuan per person. Children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.2 meters in height are free; seniors over 65 years old (non-holiday periods) can enter for free with an ID card, but must purchase discounted tickets during holidays; active-duty military personnel, veterans, and fire rescue personnel can enter for free with valid identification.
Transportation Guide
Coach: The tourist shuttle bus from Chengdu to Qingcheng Mountain goes directly to the scenic area entrance, with a journey time of about 1 hour.
Cable Car: The front mountain cable car costs 35 RMB per person one way and 60 RMB per person round trip; the back mountain Baiyun cable car requires a transfer to the scenic area sightseeing bus after arriving by car.
Accommodation Recommendations
Front Mountain: Yinshou Shangting Hotel (average price 400 RMB per person), a 10-minute walk to Tian Shi Cave, offering Zen-inspired accommodations and forest hot springs.
Rear Mountain: Yunding Mountain Villa (600 RMB per room), with views of the sea of clouds from the windows, ideal for family trips.
Taian Ancient Town: Zhuying Guesthouse (starting at 200 RMB), offering authentic farmhouse cuisine and convenient access to nighttime strolls through the ancient town.
Food Recommendations
Qingcheng Four Delicacies: Ginkgo Nut Stewed Chicken, Qingcheng Pickles, Qingcheng Tribute Tea, and Dongtian Milk Wine.