[2025 Jingzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Taihui Taoist Temple (Updated Feb)

Existing buildings in Taihui Temple include the mountain gate, que tower, Chaosheng Gate, Zushi Hall, Wenchang Palace, Yaowang Hall, Shengmu Hall, etc. The walls of Zushi Hall are inlaid with 500 Lingguan statues of various sizes and postures. The roof of Zushi Hall was originally covered with copper tiles, which shone like gold, earning it the nickname "Little Golden Summit." Twelve bluestone columns stand around the hall and corridor of Zushi Hall, with four in the front and two in the back carved with coiled dragons. The dragon heads protrude from the columns, with scales and armor, as if swimming. The hall is decorated with carved beams and painted rafters, with colorful paintings everywhere, dazzling to the eye.

Taihui Temple is a national key cultural relic protection unit, located on Taihui Mountain outside the west gate of Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, 3 km from Jingzhou City, and is one of the three famous temples in Jingzhou. Taihui Temple was originally a palace built by Zhu Bo, the King of Xiangxian in the Ming Dynasty, and construction began in the 26th year of Hongwu (1393 AD). When it was about to be completed, he was accused of having a rebellious heart. Zhu Bo was afraid and changed the palace into a Taoist temple, named "Taihui".

Taihui Temple is located about 2 kilometers outside the west gate of Jingzhou City. It was originally the palace built by Zhu Bo, the Prince of Xiangxian in the Ming Dynasty. During the reign of Emperor Jianwen, Zhu Yunwen, the palace was reported for exceeding the hierarchical system and was converted into a Taoist temple named 'Taihui'. Taihui Temple was originally covered with copper tiles, shining with golden light, earning it the nickname 'Little Golden Summit'. Due to its grand and magnificent halls, it is also known as the 'Rival of Wudang'. In front of Taihui Temple is the mountain gate, with bell and drum towers on both sides. There are temples of the Four Heavenly Kings, Jade Emperor Pavilion, and Guanyin Hall arranged in front and back. As the saying goes, Legalists talk about hegemony, Confucians talk about the kingly way, and Taoists talk about the heavenly way. Taoists, who talk about the 'heavenly way', have a saying 'When one person attains the Dao, even their chickens and dogs ascend to heaven'. Therefore, the rearmost hall is built on a high platform several meters above the ground, and the hall door is named 'Heavenly Gate', facilitating ascension to heaven after attaining immortality. Taihui Temple faces south, with grand halls, exquisite pavilions, and splendid decorations. The existing buildings include the Pilgrimage Gate and the Patriarch Hall, built on a high platform made of stone slabs, 8.2 meters high, with three stone staircases at the front and sides. To reach the Pilgrimage Gate, one must climb thirty-two stone steps. On both sides of the steps are blue stone railings, with various carved story scenes on the railing panels, full of interest. Around the Patriarch Hall, there is a wall over two meters high, embedded with five hundred spirit officials of various shapes and forms. Around the halls and corridors, there are twelve blue stone columns, with four on the front and two on the back carved with coiled dragons. The dragon heads protrude from the columns, with scales vividly detailed, looking as if they are swimming. Inside the hall, the beams and rafters are intricately carved and painted, dazzling to the eye.

Jingzhou's Three Taoist Temples refer to Taihui Temple, Kaiyuan Temple, and Xuanmiao Temple, all of which are key national cultural relics protection units. Located in Jingzhou City, Hubei Province, they are famous cultural tourism attractions and scenic spots. Taihui Temple was originally a royal palace built by Zhu Bai, the Prince of Xiangxian during the Ming Dynasty. The palace exceeded the prescribed rank and decoration standards at the time (such as stone columns carved with coiling dragons), and just before its completion, it was reported that Zhu Bai harbored rebellious intentions. Fearing punishment, Zhu Bai converted the palace into a Taoist temple and named it 'Taihui'. The existing structures include the Pilgrimage Gate and the Ancestral Masters Hall, built on a high platform made of strip stones, with the platform being 8.2 meters high. There are three sets of stone stairs in front and on both sides. To reach the Pilgrimage Gate, one must climb thirty-two stone steps. Alongside the steps are bluestone railings, with various figures and stories carved on the panels, full of charm and interest. Around the Ancestral Masters Hall, there is a wall over two meters high, inlaid with five hundred different spiritual officials in various postures. The main hall was originally covered with copper tiles, shining like gold, and was known as the 'Mini Golden Dome'. Around the hall and corridors, there are twelve bluestone columns, with the four in front and two at the back intricately carved with coiling dragons, whose heads extend out of the columns, scales and armor vivid as if they were swimming. Inside the hall, the beams and rafters are carved and painted, filled with colorful paintings that dazzle the eyes. Kaiyuan Temple's existing buildings were rebuilt during the Ming and Qing dynasties, consisting of three halls: the Thunder Ancestor Hall at the front, the Three Purities Hall in the middle, and the Ancestral Masters Hall at the back. The rear hall is built on a high platform, with a Heavenly Gate in front. The gate tower is exquisite, and the ends of the roof are decorated with a pair of coiling dragons. The Ancestral Masters Hall has several layers of flying eaves and is decorated with dragon heads, symbolizing two precious swords that subdue dragons and tigers, each thrust into a dragon's head. Xuanmiao Temple has three remaining structures: the Jade Emperor Pavilion at the front, the Three Heavens Gate in the middle, and the Xuanwu Pavilion, which is set on a lofty platform at the back.