Mount Qingcheng

Surrounded by countless peaks and densely covered by luxuriant trees with branches raised as if embracing the sky, the mountain has been aptly titled Qingcheng (green town) and has been called "the most peaceful and secluded mountain under heaven".

Located 65 kilometers (40 miles) from Chengdu and 17 kilometers (11 miles) from Dujiangyan, Mt. Qingcheng can be roughly divided into the front and rear slopes. The front area is home to many historical and cultural objects of interest, while the rear is gifted with a panorama of spectacular natural scenery.

The mountain is one of the birthplaces of the Taoist religion. With over 20 Taoist temples and religious sites, it exudes a strong flavor of Taoist culture while the buildings demonstrate Sichuan's unique style of architecture. Major religious sites here include Natural Picture (a building complex immersed in Nature), Jianfu Palace, Tianshi Cave, Zushi Palace, and Shangqing Palace. The site is peaceful and quiet as the buildings are shaded by dense woods and the whole area is immersed in nature.

The most popular way of ascending Qingcheng Mountain is to take a small ferry across Yuecheng Lake. This will land you just a short 20-minute walk from Shangqing Temple, making your trip simple and easy and able to fit into a day side trip from Chengdu. If you prefer adventure and opt to walk, the western trail past Chaoyang Cave and Taoist Master Cave offers the most sights and views.