Beichan Temple (Tulou Taoist Temple)

土楼观

A hanging temple built into the red sandstone cliffs of Beishan, with gallery caves clinging to the rock. From the summit you can see the whole city of Xining, and it is a lesser-known historic site within the city.

Beichan Temple, also known as Tulou Guan, lies on the southern slope of Beishan (Tulou Mountain) in Beichuan District on a cliff of red Danxia sandstone. It was founded in the Northern Wei period. Buddhism and Taoism have coexisted here throughout history, and it is now a Taoist temple. It faces Nanshan Park across the Huangshui River. The temple’s most distinctive feature is its cliff-hugging “hanging” architecture. Dozens of caves and niches have been cut into the cliff, and halls and walkways are supported by wooden pillars on the red rock face, earning it the nickname “the little Hanging Temple of Xining.” At the top of the cliff are the remains of the Nine Caves and Eighteen Grottoes and the Ningshou Pagoda. From the summit viewing platform, you can see the whole city and the Huangshui Valley, with a view closer to the city centre than Nanshan. Admission is about RMB 10 to 20. The climb from the entrance archway at the foot of the mountain takes about 40 to 60 minutes via steps and cliff walkways. The walkways are narrow, so those who fear heights should take care. Taoist priests and worshippers are present in the temple, and photography is not allowed inside the halls. The free Beishan Park next door has fitness trails that can be used for the walk back down. Getting there: it lies about 2 km north of the city centre, a 10-minute taxi ride from Dashizi, or you can take a bus to Beishan Park. A visit takes 1 to 1.5 hours, and it is best scheduled early in the morning or in the evening to avoid the sun. Note: Danxia cliffs are crumbly, so do not linger below the cliff after rain because of the risk of falling rocks. Summer afternoons are very hot.

Beichan Temple (Tulou Taoist Temple)

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