Qingyang Taoist Temple – Chengdu – Sichuan Province – September 2011

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Chengdu, prc, Qingyang Taoist Temple, Sichuan Province

Visiting a local temple whilst in Chengdu

Qingyang literally means ‘green ram’ and the temple got its name from the two blue-green goats made of bronze in the main hall of the temple (Sanqing Hall).  I don’t know why but I didn’t take any photographs of the goats so I have used two photos from the internet.

The temple was originally built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), which is a period in Chinese history when Taoism was flourishing.  Over time the temple has been partly destroyed mainly from natural disasters and wars, and most of the parts of the temple that remain in existence are restorations from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The Octagonal Pavillon at the front part of the temple is really beautiful and set within a lovely garden of lush green plants and trees where pillars are spectacularly decorated with dragons.

 

The grounds of the temple are really well maintained.  Lots of different things to see including, the ying/yang symbol as well as the Chinese zodiac animals depicted in one of the pavilions.

 

The temple grounds were pretty quiet really with only a few locals lighting incense and our guide told us that there are often nuns and monks training at the Two Immortals Monastery toward the back of the temple; unfortunately on the day I went I didn’t see any.

A lovely temple in beautiful grounds so well worth my visit.