Lanzhou Baiyun Temple | Immerse yourself in the sacred Taoist site of ancient Lanzhou

Immerse yourself in the sacred Taoist site of ancient Lanzhou. Lanzhou Baiyun Temple, also known as Lüzu Temple, is located on the south side of Binhe Middle Road in Lanzhou City, adjacent to Zhongshan Bridge. The temple was originally built in the 17th year of the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty (1837 AD) by the then Governor of Shaanxi and Gansu, Hu Song'e, who donated his salary for its construction. It was one of the three major Taoist temples in ancient Lanzhou. Lanzhou Baiyun Temple, also known as Lüzu Temple, was originally divided into the Upper Temple and the Lower Temple. The original site of the Upper Temple was located in the Cuijiaya Jiushou Mountain suburb of Lanzhou City, but it was completely demolished during the construction of the Lanxin Railway in the 1950s. Therefore, the Baiyun Temple that people refer to today is the Lower Temple. The Lower Temple is situated on the north bank of the Yellow River, opposite the famous Silk Road Jincheng Pass ruins. The turbulent flow of the Yellow River between them forms the famous 'White Horse Rapids.' The Yellow River is calm and steady upstream of Lanzhou, but here it forms a spectacle of surging white waves, hence the name 'White Horse Rapids.' According to legend, at the end of the Ming and beginning of the Qing dynasties, Lüzu appeared on the Yellow River, leaving behind the immortal trace of the 'White Horse Rapids.' The people of Lanzhou built the Lüzu Temple in his honor, and according to the stele records of Baiyun Temple, the temple was built to the west of the site. During the Daoguang era, Baiyun Temple was officially included in the national sacrificial rites, becoming a large-scale and architecturally complete Taoist temple complex in the Lanzhou area of the Qing Dynasty. According to historical records, the original architecture of Baiyun Temple was symmetrically arranged along a central axis, with the main gate, east and west river-viewing towers, opera tower, front, middle, and rear halls forming a three-section architectural complex from north to south. On the east and west sides, there were additional buildings such as the Yunshui Hall, bell and drum towers, and Taoist institutes. Beyond these were the Eight Immortals Pavilion, Xiaosa Hall, Crane and Deer Pavilion, Gathering Immortals Pavilion, and Four Directions Pavilion, covering a total area of about 30 acres. However, after historical changes, only three main halls, the bell and drum tower, opera tower, east and west side halls, and east and west wing rooms remain of the entire temple complex; the other buildings have disappeared over time. Today, the rebuilt Baiyun Temple still has many hall buildings, exuding an ancient and traditional atmosphere. Upon entering Baiyun Temple, the first thing that catches the eye is the three large characters 'Baiyun Temple' hanging high on the door lintel, which were inscribed by the famous Gansu personality Deng Baoshan. The 'Ascending Clouds to Find the Way' brick carving above the door is powerful and vigorous, and the brick carvings of dragons and cranes on both sides are simple and vivid, creating a quiet and elegant environment. The pavilions and halls within the temple are well-arranged, with flying eaves and upturned corners, overlapping brackets, winding corridors, towering ancient trees, and shaded greenery, creating a secluded path. Starting from the main gate, there are the front hall, middle hall, rear hall, east and west side halls, bell and drum tower, ancient opera tower, east and west wing rooms, and other buildings, as well as modern-style comprehensive buildings, dining halls, single rooms, and rear mountain gates, covering a total area of more than 3,300 square meters. On the lunar calendar dates of the Jade Emperor's birthday on the ninth day of the first month, Laojun's birthday on the fifteenth day of the second month, Qingming Festival, the Ghost Festival on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and the temple fair on the first day of the tenth month, the temple holds grand chanting and blessing ceremonies. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, a continuous stream of people come to offer incense and worship. Location reference: No. 987, South Binhe East Road, Chengguan District, Lanzhou City