Laozi’s Hometown Tourism Area is located in Luyi County, Zhoukou City, encompassing multiple attractions within the county. The Taiqing Palace Town, situated east of the county town, is reputed to be the birthplace of Laozi and is commonly recognized as the narrow sense of ‘Laozi’s Hometown’. The debate over ‘Laozi’s Hometown’ has persisted for thousands of years, with Luyi County gaining support and recognition from many contemporary institutions; historically, eight emperors personally visited Luyi to pay homage to Laozi.
Laozi (circa 600 BC – 470 BC) was a significant ancient Chinese philosopher and thinker, the founder of the Taoist school, and later revered as the founder of Taoism. Today’s Laozi’s Hometown Tourism Area (in the broader sense) preserves ancient structures such as Taiqing Palace and Mingdao Palace, as well as the Dao De Jing Stele and the ‘Continuation of Taiqing Palace Inscription’ within Luyi County, presenting a genuine and enriched image of Laozi’s Hometown to visitors, with the two ancient buildings being the highlights of the visit. Taiqing Palace is located about 5 kilometers east of Luyi County in Taiqing Palace Town, while Mingdao Palace is situated in the northeastern part of Luyi County; the two attractions are not far apart and both charge separate admission fees. Taiqing Palace, the birthplace of Laozi, allows visitors to see an ordinary Laozi and learn about his life. Originally known as Laozi Temple, it began to be constructed during the reign of Emperor Huan of the Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 165) and was visited by several emperors, including Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Wu Zetian, Emperor Zhenzong of Song, and Emperor Huizong of Song, who expanded and renovated the temple. It was renamed Taiqing Palace in the second year of the Tianbao era (AD 743). Mingdao Palace, constructed in the same year, was the place where Laozi lectured on Taoism. Within the scenic area, the Laojun Platform (also known as the Ascension Platform) is believed to be the place where Laozi attained immortality through cultivation; the Yingxi Hall is where Emperor Zhenzong of Song stayed during his worship of Laozi. In recent years, many ancient-style buildings have been reconstructed within the scenic area. Additionally, the ‘International Laozi Cultural Tourism Festival’ is held annually on the 15th day of the second lunar month within the Laozi Tourism Area, featuring tourism promotions and performances by invited celebrities. The opening hours are from 08:00 to 18:00 all year round, and from 07:00 to 18:00 on the first and 15th days of the lunar month; the latest time for entry is 18:00. Preferential policies include: Students: Full-time college and vocational students (with student ID, limited to students from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan); minors under 18 (with student ID or other valid documents), half-price. Elderly: Seniors over 60 (with their own ID), free.Laozi’s Hometown Tourism Area
Laozi’s Hometown Tourism Area is located in Luyi County, Zhoukou City, encompassing multiple a[...]
