Lesser-known attractions around Dali: Xiangyun Tianhua Mountain Taoist Temple!

Tianhua Mountain Taoist Temple is located in Zongpeng Village, Majie Township, Xiangyun County, Dali City. Its remote location has preserved its tranquility and simplicity. It is about 70 km from Dali Station, 23 km from Xiangyun Station, and only 8 km from Yunnan Yi Station. The history of Tianhua Mountain can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. As a famous Taoist mountain, every plant, tree, brick, and tile here exudes a profound Taoist cultural heritage. The Taoist temple consists of the Upper Temple, Middle Temple, and Lower Temple, among which the Upper Temple is the most unique. It is cleverly built on a cliff, with most of the buildings concentrated here, as if it were the residence of an immortal in the clouds. The scenery and architecture here are uniquely charming. The stone dragon hanging upside down is like a giant dragon descending from the sky, majestic and magnificent; the footprints of the immortals seem to be mysterious marks left by the immortals who traveled here; the skylight of the stone house exudes a trace of mystery, making people imagine the wonderful scene inside the house; and the exquisite wood carvings and stone carvings, every detail shows the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. The entire Taoist temple is like a palace of art, attracting many tourists to come and explore. Every year on the ninth day of the first lunar month, the Tianhua Mountain Taoist Temple becomes lively, with a grand stone dragon hanging ceremony held, and people gather here to pray for peace and prosperity, a solemn and vibrant scene. It takes about 2 hours to visit this place, and the best part is that there is no entrance fee, no reservation is required, and there is a free parking lot. However, you need to pay attention to transportation. Due to its remote location, it is best to drive there. There are no buses in the village, and it is difficult to find ride-hailing cars. If you exit from Yunnan Yi Station, you can take a private car to Tianhua Mountain, which costs about CNY 30. There are also green urban-rural passenger microbuses between Xiangyun County and Zongpeng Village, which is also convenient. During the tour, you should also pay attention to some matters. Since it is a mountainous area, the roads may not be easy to walk, so be careful when driving and pay attention to safety. When visiting the Taoist temple, respect religious beliefs and site regulations, and do not touch cultural relics and monuments at will. If you choose to take a passenger microbus, learn about the bus schedule in advance to avoid delaying your trip. In addition, the temperature in the mountains changes greatly, so remember to bring appropriate clothing to keep warm.