---
node: dest_mount_qingcheng
type: destination
slug: mount_qingcheng
title: "Mount Qingcheng"
lead: "Mount Qingcheng is one of the birthplaces of Taoism, a forested mountain 60 kilometres northwest of Chengdu with temples along its paths. Zhang Daoling founded the Way of the Celestial Masters here in 142 CE."
published: 2026-08-12
updated: 2026-08-12
image_file: dest_mount_qingcheng.jpg
image_source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jianfu_Palace,_Mount_Qingcheng_(54530903712).jpg"
image_author: "xiquinhosilva"
image_license: "CC BY 2.0"
---

## Overview

The name means green city wall, for the ring of peaks around the summit. The front mountain carries the temples and the crowds: Jianfu Palace at the foot, Tianshi Cave halfway, Shangqing Palace near the top. The back mountain is a longer, wilder walk through gorges and waterfalls with far fewer people. It is a UNESCO site jointly with the Dujiangyan irrigation system nearby.

## Highlights

The front mountain takes half a day with a cable car and ferry across the lake; the back mountain wants a full day. Tianshi Cave is the historic core and the best building on the hill. Combine with Dujiangyan, the 2,200-year-old irrigation works that still functions, 20 kilometres away.