[2025 Xi'an Attraction] Travel Guide for Wanshoubaxian Palace (Updated Mar)

Several ancient temples that are a must-visit for Xi'an tourism, where you can ask for a fortune-telling! Originally named "Baxian Temple," it is also the largest and most famous Taoist temple in Xi'an. According to legend, Wanshou Baxian Palace is the place where Lu Dongbin of the Tang Dynasty met Han Zhongli and "slept on a yellow pillow" to break through the dream of a thousand years and realize the Tao. The area of Baxian Palace is very large, and the entire building is staggered and spectacular. The light and shadow under the sunny sky are very atmospheric, and the historical charm is coming to the face, which is very suitable for a leisurely stroll here. Recently, the flowers are in full bloom, and it is even more worthwhile to go and experience it. ⭐️Wanshou Baxian Palace (marriage, study, safety) ⏰Opening hours: 08:00–17:00 🎫Ticket price: 3 yuan 📌Location: No. 12, North Huoxiang Lane, Changlefang, Beilin District 🚇Transportation: Exit B of Kangfu Road Station on Line 1

Introduction to the Magnolia Attractions at Baxian Temple The magnolia blossoms at Baxian Temple are one of the most stunning sights in spring. There are four magnolia trees within the temple grounds. Two white magnolias stand in front of the first main hall after entering the main gate, offering a spectacular view from behind. Two more magnolias, one white and one pink, are located further inside. Surrounding these trees are structures like long corridors, creating a picturesque scene. In addition to the magnolias, there's a side hall in Baxian Temple with a very large Chinese redbud tree. In spring, when the redbud is in full bloom, the view is breathtaking. Looking in from outside the hall, the doorway, incense burner, and redbud blossoms create a beautiful framed picture. To visit Baxian Temple, take Subway Line 1 to Kangfulu Station and walk a short distance. Baxian Temple is relatively less known, with fewer tourists, making it an ideal destination for those who appreciate tranquility and the beauty of magnolias and redbuds.

The Temple of the Eight Immortals, now known as the Wanshou Palace of the Eight Immortals, is the largest and most famous Taoist temple in Xi'an. Its construction date is unknown. According to the Records of Xi'an Prefecture during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and the Records of Xianning County during the reign of Emperor Jiaqing, during the Song Dynasty, a man named Zheng encountered the Eight Immortals in Changlefang and built a temple to worship them. Formerly known as the Eight Immortals Temple, in the 26th year of the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing Dynasty (1900), Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu lived in the Eight Immortals Temple when they came to Xi'an for refuge. They donated silver for its renovation and granted the temple the name "Imperially Built Wanshou Eight Immortals Palace", hence the name. The architectural layout from south to north is the large screen wall, archway, commercial street, mountain gate, Linggong Hall, Eight Immortals Hall, and Doumu Hall. East wing: There are Taibai Hall, Lu Zu Hall, Yaowang Hall, God of Wealth Hall, etc. The west wing houses the Qiuzu Temple, Yunyin Hall, and the Supervisory Office. Main attractions Yuxian Bridge: It was built to commemorate the encounter of the two immortals Zhong and Lu in Guanzhong, Shaanxi, where Chongyang Master entered Taoism. There are gold coins and a golden bell hanging at the bottom of the bridge. People have the custom of hitting the golden bell with coins to pray for good fortune. Lingguan Temple: It was first built during the Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty. The three guardian generals, King Lingguan, General Qinglong and General Baihu, are enshrined in the temple. Hall of the Eight Immortals: It was expanded during the Zhengde reign of the Ming Dynasty and rebuilt during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. It is the main hall of the Wanshou Palace of the Eight Immortals. Emperor Donghua is enshrined in the center of the hall, and on both sides are clay sculptures of the Eight Immortals. Doumu Temple: The construction date is unknown. It was rebuilt during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. In the center of the temple, Doumu Yuanjun is enshrined, and on both sides are statues of Wenqu, Wuqu, Tanlang, Pojun and other star gods of the Big Dipper. Medicine King Hall: Founded during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, the hall enshrines the medical scientist Sun Simiao, who is revered as the "Medicine King". As a ten-direction monastery of the Quanzhen Sect of Taoism, it is the place where Taoists from several provinces in Northwest China receive precepts,

⛱️Must-see attractions: Baxian Ancestral Hall: It is said that the divination here is very effective. The overall architecture is like a mirage, and you can't feel its existence at the entrance. You will find it is a Taoist temple after entering. The divination is not expensive, and you don't need to shake the divination tube. Just draw one. If it is not the best divination, you can draw another one from a different angle. The main idea is that I am the master of my fate, not the gods. If it is the gods, I will change the divination. The Song of Everlasting Sorrow: This is a classic performance, but if you miss it, you can also watch the Legend of Camel Bell. The main idea is to go with the flow and take your time. Grand Tang Mall: If you are a girl, you can make an appointment for a trip shoot before going there. You can draw the divination, visit the streets, and watch the performance during the day, and go to the Grand Tang Mall to eat, drink, play, and take photos at night. 🌄Travel tips: Refer to the situation of Huimin Street, put your luggage away, and go downstairs to wander around. There are snack streets and small attractions within 5 km. If you want a trip shoot, there are high, medium, and low-end trip shoots nearby. Negotiate the price, and it is recommended to take photos at the Grand Tang Mall at night, which is more beautiful. 🏨Accommodation tips: Find a store on Huimin Street, and Lavande Hotel is recommended. There are restaurants downstairs, and the transportation is convenient. The Bell Tower is at the intersection, and the attractions are in sight. 💗Other tips: Two days is a short time, and you won't be tired if you play loosely. If you are in a hurry, these places are not tiring.

Xi'an is home to so many historical sites that the average tourist, with just a two or three-day itinerary, can hardly cover Dongguan's Changle Fang and Ba Xian An, which I only visited on a local's recommendation. It is said that Ba Xian An was built on the ruins of the Tang Dynasty's Xingqing Palace during the heyday of the Quanzhen School of Taoism in the Jin and Yuan dynasties. By the Ming Dynasty, it had developed into a famous Taoist temple. During the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu took refuge here in Xi'an, and later Cixi personally bestowed the plaque 'Yuqing Zhi Dao' and decreed Ba Xian An as 'Xi'an Dongguan Wanshou Ba Xian Gong', elevating it from an hermitage to a palace, though locals still commonly refer to it as Ba Xian An. Currently, Ba Xian An is undergoing a new round of expansion, with its front plaza in the midst of post-demolition landscaping. The interior has been renovated and is very clean. The lush flowers and plants set against the white walls and grey tiles make for an especially photogenic scene. If you're in Xi'an for the May Day holiday and want to avoid the crowded major attractions, consider visiting the less-known Ba Xian An.

Wanshou Baxian Palace, also known as 'Baxian Palace', originally named 'Baxian Nunnery', is the largest and most famous Taoist temple in Xi'an, part of the site of the Tang Dynasty Xingqing Palace, and a mainstream Taoist Quanzhen Sect. It is said that the Wanshou Baxian Palace is the place where Lu Dongbin of the Tang Dynasty met Han Zhongli and broke through the thousand-year-old dream with 'a pillow of yellow millet' and became enlightened. The Wanshou Baxian Palace, originally named Baxian Nunnery, was built in an unknown year. According to the 'Xi'an Prefecture Records' of Qianlong and the 'Xianning County Records' of Jiaqing, Zheng Sheng met the Eight Immortals in Changle Fang during the Song Dynasty and built a nunnery for worship. The 'Historical Records of Real Immortals' states that Lu Yan met Zhongli Quan here during the Tang Dynasty and was enlightened by a dream of yellow millet, hence the origin of the 'Eight Immortals' story. In the 26th year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1900), when the Eight-Nation Alliance invaded Beijing, Empress Dowager Cixi and Emperor Guangxu came to Xi'an to take refuge and stayed in the Baxian Nunnery. They donated silver for repairs and bestowed the temple name 'Chijian Wanshou Baxian Palace', hence the name. Wanshou Baxian Palace is the most intact Taoist temple in Xi'an, the first batch of cultural relics protection units in Shaanxi Province, the location of the Shaanxi Taoist Association, and is listed as a national key Taoist temple.