[2025 Taiyuan Attraction] Travel Guide for Taishan Longquan Temple (Updated Mar)

Mount Taishan in Taiyuan is a scenic area with a rich history and beautiful landscapes. Here's a guide to help you plan your trip: Preparation • Check the opening hours: Peak season (April–October): 8am–6pm (last entry 5pm); Off-season (November–March): 9am–5pm (last entry 4pm). The park opens half an hour earlier on weekends and holidays. • Purchase tickets: Peak season: CNY 50; Off-season: CNY 30; Student tickets are half price. Certain groups are eligible for free admission. Tickets can be purchased in advance on platforms such as WeChat Official Accounts. • Choose your transportation: If driving, navigate to "Taishan Parking Lot." By bus, take No. 308 or 310 to Jinyang Avenue Longshan Street Stop, or take No. 329 or Y5 directly to the parking lot. Tour Route Enter through the main gate and visit the following attractions in order: Hall of Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Hall, Taishan Academy, Guanyin Hall, Tang Dynasty Pagoda Ruins, Sarira Stupa, Dragon Spring, Dragon Palace, Sutra Repository, Wangdu Pavilion, and Mahavira Hall. For your descent, take a different route to experience varied scenery. Must-See Attractions • Longquan Temple: The heart of the scenic area, this temple boasts a long history, exquisite architecture, and an underground palace where Buddha relics were unearthed. • Tang Dynasty Pagoda Ruins: Featuring a three-meter-tall Buddha statue and magnificent architecture, this site offers a glimpse into the area's rich history and culture. • Hanging Walkway: Enjoy a bird's-eye view of Mount Taishan and its stunning natural scenery. Unique Experiences • Wear Hanfu: The scenic area offers free Hanfu rentals. Dress up in traditional clothing, take photos, and participate in stamp-collecting activities. • Enjoy a vegetarian meal: The scenic area offers vegetarian cuisine. Breakfast is CNY 20, and lunch is around CNY 50. Immerse yourself in the Zen Buddhist culinary culture. • Participate in activities: The scenic area hosts cultural events such as shadow puppet shows and intangible cultural heritage rubbing. Check the schedule and join in the fun.

Speaking of Mount Tai, this Mount Tai is not the same Mount Tai, but a mountain located between Mount Long and Mount Meng in Taiyuan. Taishan Longquan Temple was first built in the first year of the Jingyun reign of the Tang Dynasty (710 AD) and is divided into three parts: upper, middle and lower temples. The Guanyin Pavilion, the essence of the architecture, was built in the 17th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty. Its exterior is famous for its unique octagonal shape and is also known as the "Octagonal Pavilion". It has a yellow carved glazed ridge and colorful brackets. There are Ming Dynasty colored sculptures inside. The statues of the Three Holy Saints of the West are solemn and sacred. The statue of Guanyin sits compassionately on a cleverly built hexagonal lotus platform in the center. Shancai Boy and Dragon Girl are floating in the air on the left and right, standing devoutly. The Eighteen Arhats are on both sides. The folds of their clothes are all delicate and gorgeous, and otherworldly. On the four walls, the art of hanging sculptures is ingenious. From top to bottom, there are three layers, with undulating mountains, towering ancient trees, majestic palaces, and lifelike figures. The rich sense of space and layering is beyond words, and the characters are portrayed to be ethereal and elegant, each with its own expression. On May 7, 2008, a fire-fighting water reservoir was built at Longquan Temple in Taishan. Stones, stone doors and other foreign objects were discovered at the excavation site. After entering the site, archaeologists first determined that this was the site of a Buddhist pagoda from the Tang Dynasty. During the excavation of the pagoda base, they unexpectedly found an underground palace of about 1m³ in the middle and a five-layer stone casket. The five layers of stone caskets from outside to inside are: stone casket, wooden casket, gilded bronze casket, silver casket, and gold coffin. The coffin is inlaid with Buddhist Buddha's feet, Sumeru pedestal, and railings, as well as Taoist Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, and Black Tortoise, reflecting the equal importance of Buddhism and Taoism at that time.

❄️ After the snow, the Longquan Temple on Mount Tai in Taiyuan, with white snow and red walls, ancient cypress trees, and the temple hidden among them, looks like a heavenly palace, which is not easy to see without climbing up❗️ At this moment, the encounter between ancient buildings 🏯 and snow is the romance of the East🥰 📝 Longquan Temple on Mount Tai, also known as Tai Temple, is located in Fengyu Valley, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City. It was first built in the first year of Jingyun in the Tang Dynasty (710 AD). It was originally a Taoist temple and was rebuilt as a Buddhist temple in the 24th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1391 AD). The existing buildings were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Longquan Temple on Mount Tai is divided into three temples: upper, middle, and lower. Only part of the lower temple remains, mostly built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties✍️ 📌Tips📌 📍Longquan Temple, Mount Tai Scenic Area, Taiyuan 🎫Ticket: 30 yuan, about 45 minutes from the foot of the mountain to the top It is recommended to drive or take a taxi🚗 ⏰Opening hours: 8:00-17:00 👀Highlights: Tang stele, relic pagoda site, Guanyin Hall hanging sculpture heart 🤩The scenery is best after snow, pay attention to anti-slip❗️ ✍️Nearby: Mengshan, Tianlong Mountain, Jinci

| A thousand-year-old Zen temple hidden in the mountains and forests. 🌳"An ancient temple hidden in the mountains, where you can hear the sound of Buddhist chants in the clouds." Longquan Temple, Tai Mountain, is like a wise man who is independent of the world, lying quietly in the western mountains of Taiyuan. When you step into this forest, the hustle and bustle of the world gradually fades away, and you can only hear the birds singing and smell the fragrance of flowers. Your heart and eyes are filled with the gentle gifts of nature. As you walk along the winding mountain road, the outline of Longquan Temple gradually becomes clear under the shade of green trees. The red walls and black tiles, bathed in sunlight, exude an ancient and solemn atmosphere. The buildings in the temple are arranged in an orderly manner, and every detail shows the exquisite skills and ingenuity of ancient craftsmen. The Mahavira Hall is solemn and majestic, and the Buddha statues are compassionate and peaceful. Amidst the curling smoke, you can almost hear the whispers of history, telling the changes of thousands of years. The Longquan Spring is like the lively eyes of the temple, with crystal-clear water reflecting the sky and clouds. When you scoop up a handful of spring water, the coolness reaches your heart, as if your soul has been purified. Here, time seems to slow down. Find a corner to sit down, listen to the rustling of the wind blowing through the leaves, and watch the monks shuttling through the courtyard. Your heart will be calmer than ever. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Longquan Temple, Tai Mountain, is like a haven for the soul, providing us with comfort and peace.

Taiyuan Tai Mountain is located 23 kilometers southwest of Taiyuan City, north of Fengyu Valley, between Longshan and Mengshan, 5 kilometers from the Jinci Scenic Area and 3 kilometers from the Jinyang Xishan Giant Buddha Scenic Area. Its geographical location is unique and its scenery is extraordinary, especially famous for its red leaves in late autumn, with lush green trees and towering ancient cypresses. Tai Mountain's Longquan Temple is renowned nationwide. Originally named Haotian Temple, it was built in the first year of Jingyun in the Tang Dynasty (710 AD). Initially a Taoist temple, it was destroyed during the Jin and Yuan periods and rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty, converted into a Buddhist temple. The temple is built according to the mountain's terrain, divided into upper and lower courtyards. The upper courtyard houses the Guanyin Pavilion, rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty. The lower courtyard's Mahavira Hall is a two-story pavilion-style building, with Guanyin Bodhisattva worshipped on the lower floor and Shakyamuni Buddha on the upper floor. To the east of the courtyard stands a Tang Dynasty stele without inscriptions, and to the west of the temple are six tomb towers. Longquan Temple also houses a golden coffin, believed to contain Buddha's relics. Since the temple is built on Tai Mountain, it is also known as Tai Mountain Temple. At the foot of Tai Mountain lies the tomb of Li Cunxiao, the most formidable general of the Five Dynasties period. Transportation: By car: Navigate to "Tai Mountain Scenic Area South Gate Parking Lot" to reach the destination. Parking fee is 10 yuan. Tickets: Peak season 50 yuan/person, half-price ticket 25 yuan/person. Off-season 30 yuan/person, half-price ticket 15 yuan/person. Opening hours: Peak season from April 1 to October 31, 08:00 - 19:00, last entry at 17:00. Off-season from November 1 to March 31, 09:00 - 17:00, last entry at 16:00. 🌈Suggested travel route: Longquan Temple: Located halfway up Tai Mountain, originally built in the first year of Jingyun in the Tang Dynasty (710 AD), initially a Taoist temple, rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty and converted into a Buddhist temple. Relic Pagoda Underground Palace: The underground palace of the Tang Dynasty Buddha Relic Pagoda, free to enter.

On the 16th day of the first lunar month in the Year of the Dragon, the sky was clear and the temperature was 5 degrees Celsius. I went out to climb Mount Tai. Mount Tai is more than 20 kilometers away from the downtown area of Taiyuan. Setting the navigation, it showed that it would take 23 minutes to arrive. The journey was smooth, passing by the Taiyuan Botanical Garden, where the parking lot was almost full. Moving forward to the Mount Tai parking lot, there were quite a few cars, but there were still parking spaces available. A few days ago, Taiyuan experienced heavy snowfall and cold weather, which had not yet melted. The management staff said that the roads had been cleared in the last two days, so it was safe to go up the mountain. Longquan Temple on Mount Tai is the third batch of national protected units, with its construction dating back no later than the Northern and Southern Dynasties. In recent years, the government has invested heavily in its restoration, and it now presents a good ecological environment with clear mountains and beautiful waters. In ancient times, the temple's architecture was divided into the upper, middle, and lower courts, but now only the upper and lower courts remain. Longquan Temple has ancient locust trees and a large Tang Dynasty stele, which is said to be the third stele after the Wordless Stele of Empress Wu Zetian and the Tang Stele of Jinci. Mount Tai Academy is a tranquil place amidst the hustle and bustle. Accompanied by the sound of trickling water, I continued upward and saw a resplendent pagoda tower, which is the treasure of Mount Tai, the Tang Dynasty Relic Pagoda site. On May 8, 2008, a crypt was accidentally discovered under this Tang Dynasty pagoda site. It was a one cubic meter stone chamber, inside which was a Buddha's relic casket with seven layers of encasement, ranging from large to small: a stone casket, a copper-decorated wooden coffin, a gilded copper coffin, a silver coffin, a golden coffin, and two layers of silk pouches. The relic casket unearthed from the crypt of Longquan Temple's pagoda base is exquisitely made, beautifully decorated, and of noble rank, reflecting the prosperous era of the Tang Dynasty in Jinyang. The government has heavily restored it, building a five-story pagoda in the style of the Tang Dynasty on top of the pagoda site. On the first floor, an 18-ton pure copper Tang-style pavilion was built over the site, shining brightly and complementing the exquisite Buddha's relic casket. This is one of the must-visit spots. Wangdu Pavilion is the highest point of the scenic area, where one can overlook the entire area and see the beautiful city of Taiyuan in the distance. Below Wangdu Pavilion is the Sutra Storage Tower. Descending the stairs here, there is a delicate Mount Tai Art Museum, a place of scholarly culture. To the west of the scenic area is the Pagoda Forest, where the revered monks of Longquan Temple were buried after passing away, and their spirits continue to protect the west gate of Longquan Temple. On the left side of the scenic area's main entrance is the tomb of Li Cunxiao, a late Tang Dynasty general. It is said that Li Cunxiao was extraordinarily strong and brave, with a reputation of 'Li Yuanba before, Li Cunxiao after,' and his combat prowess was on par with that of Xiang Yu, the King of Chu. He was the adopted son of King Li Keyong of Jin and one of the Thirteen Taibao. He followed Li Keyong in battles across the land, achieving countless merits. He directly quelled the Huang Chao rebellion. Due to his illustrious military achievements, he was framed by others, fell out with Li Keyong, and fled. Later, he was captured by Li Keyong in battle and suffered a brutal death by dismemberment at the age of 36. Later generations buried him at the foot of Mount Tai. Since the opening of the Mount Tai scenic area, the number of visitors has gradually increased, with the whole journey taking about 3 hours. The ticket price is affordable, with free admission for Taiyuan Tourism Card holders and those over 60 years old. The management level of the scenic area has obviously improved. During the Spring Festival, various activities were held, and the whole area was decorated with red lanterns. There were riddle guessing games, free vegetarian meals, and more. At the entrance, visitors can receive a 'Dragon Quest Treasure Card' to guide them to six scenic spots for stamping. Multiple spots provide boiling water, and there are many seats for visitors to rest. Even more heartwarming, some stone benches are specially equipped with cotton pads, which is very warm! The Mount Tai scenic area feels great. This time it was covered in white snow, but I plan to come again in the summer or autumn to experience the lush greenery.

After the snow, Longquan Temple at the foot of Mount Tai in Taiyuan, with its white snow and red walls, ancient cypresses set off the scene, and the temple hidden among them, resembles the palaces of heaven, which are not easily seen without ascending! This moment of ancient architecture meeting the falling snow is the romance that belongs to the East! TIPS Ticket: 30, it takes about 45 minutes to climb from the foot of the mountain to the top It is best to drive or take a taxi Attractions: Tang stele, relic site of the Sarira Pagoda, suspended sculptures in the Guanyin Hall The scenery is best after the snow, be careful of slipping! Surroundings: Mengshan, Tianlong Mountain, Jinci

What did the buildings of the Tang Dynasty look like? You can probably know the answer here. The majestic brackets and exquisite paintings are definitely worth a visit. In addition to these, the Buddha's bones and the colorful hanging sculptures of Guanyin Hall are also worth seeing. Tickets: 30

🏯Mount Tai Longquan Temple, have you been there? My travel experience🎈 Hello everyone👋, today I want to share with you my travel experience at Mount Tai Longquan Temple.😊 1️⃣ Longquan Temple is located at the foot of Mount Tai, with a beautiful environment🌿 and fresh air🍃. 2️⃣ The temple architecture is simple and elegant🏛️, giving people a strong sense of history. 3️⃣ The incense in the temple is booming🔥, and devout believers are praying🙏. 4️⃣ I tasted delicious vegetarian meals in the temple🍜, the taste is delicious, and it is unforgettable. 5️⃣ I also visited the Buddha statues in the temple🗿, and felt the charm of Buddhist culture.

Inside the Longquan Temple, there is a unique octagonal group hall - Guanyin Hall. Although the Guanyin Hall is not large, it preserves 79 Buddhist statues and hanging sculptures. The four walls are arranged with three-dimensional hanging sculptures, including mountains, trees, palaces, and characters. The Western Three Saints, namely Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, are sculpted against the wall. In the center of the hall, a hexagonal lotus platform is built with bricks, on which Guanyin Bodhisattva is offered. Sudhana and Dragon Girl serve in the air on the left and right, and the eighteen Arhats face the Bodhisattva, making a gesture of worship. These statues have different shapes and are lifelike. They either rely on auspicious clouds or are supported by flowers, as if floating in the air, full of artistic charm in every move. The entire hall is carved with beams and painted with buildings, which is extremely exquisite. The coloring technique using pure natural minerals as pigments allows us to still appreciate the bright colors of the statues today.