Taiqing Palace

Lao Tzu Statue in front of the Taiqing Palace. [Photo/Zhao Hanqing]

Taiqing Palace is the monumental buildings of Lao Tzu, a famous thinker, philosopher, founder of the Taoist school and originator of Taoism.

It was first built in the eighth Yanxi Year of Emperor Hanhuan (AD 165) in Han Dynasty, as Lao Tzu Temple. Emperor Tang Gaozu subsequently endorsed Lao Tzu as the ancestor, regarded Lao Tzu Temple as the Imperial Ancestral Temple and build memorial palace; in the first Qianfeng Year (AD 666), Emperor Tang Gaozong hailed Lao Tzu as "Taishang Xuanyuan Emperor", built "Ziji Palace", "Taiqing Building" and renamed the name of temple into "Xuanyuan Temple". The scale reached the peak in the region of Emperor Tang Xuanzong. At that time, "Taiqing Palace" covers an area of 872 mu, with over 600 rooms of various buildings around.

Centered by Tai Chi Temple, the court was surrounded by Qiyuan Hall, Wuyue Hall, Nandou Hall, Xuwu Hall, Qingjing Pavilion. A variety of buildings constituted a resplendent and magnificant scene, enjoying enormous reputation. The royal family hailed Taiqing Palace as the family temple, so the architectural style and scale is similar to that of the royal palace in Chang'an. In Kaiyuan period, Emperor Tang Xuanzong made worship in person and changed the name into "Taiqing Palace", which has continued today.

In Tang Dynasty, Taiqing Palace was guarded by five hundred soldiers. Later, it was renovated for a number of times. According to historical records, 8 emperors have come to Taiqing Palace for worship of Lao Tzu. Taiqing Palace was listed as a key cultural relics protection units in 1986 and upgraded to a national key cultural relics protection unit, and is currently a national 4A-class tourist attraction.