Yuquan Taoist Temple
玉泉观
A Yuan dynasty Taoist temple on Tianjing Mountain, north of Tianshui's old town. Its halls climb the slope in tiers, and the highlights are a calligraphy stele by Zhao Mengfu of the Yuan dynasty, a spring, and ancient trees. There are views over the old city.
Yuquan Taoist Temple sits at the foot of Tianjing Mountain, north of the city center in Qinzhou District. It was founded around 1290 in the Yuan dynasty and is one of the largest Taoist temple complexes in Northwest China. It is a national key cultural heritage site and takes its name from the "Jade Spring" within its grounds. The buildings are arranged in tiers along the mountainside. Starting from the gate, you pass Tongxian Bridge, Yuxian Bridge, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Three Pure Ones Hall, and Lao Tzu Hall. The halls rise one above another, and pavilions are scattered among them. From the highest points, the Jade Spring and the summit of Tianjing Mountain, you can see the whole old town of Qinzhou.
Highlights: The Yuan dynasty calligraphy stele "Four Poems in Cursive Script" by Zhao Mengfu, a masterpiece of stone carving that survives today. Yuan dynasty architectural remains. The Jade Spring, which legend says extends life if you drink from it. Ancient cypress and "braided cypress" trees over a thousand years old, whose trunks look like plaited hair.
The temple attracts many worshippers. The "Pilgrimage to the Temple" fair on the ninth day of the first lunar month, the birthday of the Jade Emperor, is Tianshui's largest folk festival. Entry costs about 20 yuan. A visit takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, and the climb to the top involves many steps.
Getting there: It lies north of the city center. It is about a 20-minute walk from Fuxi Temple, or take the bus to the "Yuquan Temple" stop.
Please note: Photography is not allowed inside the halls. The temple is very crowded during the pilgrimage fair, so take care of elderly people and children. It is windy on the mountain.
Together with Fuxi Temple and Nanguo Temple, Yuquan Taoist Temple is known as one of Tianshui's "Three Ancient Sites."
Opening hours
08:00–18:00