Qingcheng Mountain (Qingchengshan) is one of the ancient cradles of Daoism. The mountain has numerous Daoist temples
and sites along the paths to its peak. The area is green all year round and is known for its secluded tranquility.

Most of the photographs were taken halfway up the mountain in the Tianshi Cave (Tianshi Dong) the temple
and school of Zhang Daolin, a famous Daoist master who taught here and contributed greatly to spreading Daoism in China.

The present Tianshi Cave buildings were built in the 18th through the 20th century, at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1644 to 1911).

It is reputed as "Dong Tian Fu Di" (which means wonderful mountain and happy place), "the fairyland on earth".

The tranquility of Mt. Qingcheng being just right for the quiet mentality pursued by the Daoists.
Lu You, a great poet in Song Dynasty, composed a lot of works in Mt. Qingcheng.
His verses: Clouds, like peaks of mountains, rising up in the north Mountains, like green waves, flowing to the east -
are a true portrayal of Mt.Qingcheng

update: The area of Mt.Qingchen was hard hit in the earthquake.
At the moment we don't know how hard the complex was hit and which parts were damaged.