Qingjiao Ciji Palace is located on Maqing Road, Haicang District. It is also known as the East Palace. Qingjiao Village […]
Qingjiao Ciji Palace is located on Maqing Road, Haicang District. It is also known as the East Palace. Qingjiao Village was the place where Wu Ben, a folk doctor in the Northern Song Dynasty, practiced Taoism, made pills of immortality and treated patients. Ciji Palace was built in memory of this highly virtuous miracle doctor. It enshrines Emperor Baosheng who blesses people with peace.
After the completion of Ciji Palace, the incense was so prosperous that people had to build another Baijiao Ciji Temple in Wu Ben’s hometown, which is the West Palace. Today, there are still many pilgrims coming to the East Palace to worship. It becomes even more bustling during temple fairs and the Ciji Cultural Festival. It is also a great choice to come here for mountain climbing and relaxation on holidays.
As soon as you enter the mountain gate, you can see the spectacular 800-plus steps head-on. There is also a nearly 20-meter-high statue of Emperor Baosheng at the end of the long steps, and a feeling of pilgrimage arises spontaneously. As you walk up along the way, there are stone statues of famous doctors from different dynasties and their introductions. Although the number of steps here is not large, they are dense and steep, which consumes a lot of physical strength. It takes about half an hour to reach the top by taking breaks while walking.
At the top of the mountain is the main hall of Ciji Palace. There are four unique features in the palace: First, there is a colorful painting of a mythical creature with a phoenix head, a dragon tail, a turtle body and four legs. Second, there are stele inscriptions of reconstructions in dynasties such as Kangxi, Jiaqing, Xianfeng and Guangxu. Third, there is a ‘heart’ shaped stone. Fourth, the black-and-white paintings on the rafters of the palace are not eroded by insects.
After the visit, you need to go down the mountain along the original path. Standing on the top of the mountain, the surrounding scenery is very broad, but the steps underfoot make some tourists with acrophobia daunting. After going back down the mountain, you can also go to Longqiu Nunnery, a small temple next to the steps to worship. There are also some small shops around for dining.
Opening hours: Open from 8:30 to 17:30 throughout the year. Service facilities: Luggage storage available.
