Dragon and Tiger Mountain----a Sacred Mountain of Taoism

Dragon and Tiger Mountain (Mount Longhu), is located 16 km (about 9.94 miles) south of Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province. It is famous for being one of the birthplaces of Taoism, with many Taoist temples built upon the mountainside. It is known as one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Taoism. It has also been noted as the 'Residence of Celestials' and 'Blest Earthly Abode' because of its beautiful scenery. As a cradle land of Taoism, Dragon and Tiger Mountain has been regarded as a Holy Land to which many pilgrimages are made every year.

Owning a long history, the mountain was originally named "Mount of Splendid Clouds". According to the record of Taoism, in the middle of the East Han Dynasty (25-220), Zhang Daoling, the first Tian Shi (a Taoist priest), started to distill elixirs at this historic mountain. As the elixirs were made, a dragon and a tiger would appear. Then the mountain's name changed and became a birthplace of Taoism.

Shangqing Palace in Shangqing Old Town Scenic Area, first built in East Han Dynasty, is the place for Tian Shi to pray and the place where all gods received their official ranks. It was as large as the royal palace, but one Chi (about 1.094 feet) lower to show the respect for the royal prerogative.

The natural scenery is also very beautiful in Tiger and Dragon Mountain. As a typical Danxia landform characterized by its cliffy scarp, the red terrestrial clastic rock can be seen everywhere in Celestial Water Rock Scenic Area. There are a total of ninety-nine peaks, twenty-four boulders, and one hundred and eight natural and artificial sights and over twenty wells, ponds, streams and waterfalls. 'Ten cannot' rocks in this area are famous for the vivid guise and attractive stories. They are: the nun carrying monk cannot pass by; the jade comb that cannot comb the hair; the water lily that cannot be wore; the test-sword stone that cannot be put to the test; the celestial peach that cannot be eaten; the stone drum that cannot be beat; the splendid silk that cannot be wrapped; the fairy cannot be married; the scoop that cannot be used and the Taoism Hall that people cannot sit in.

Visitors could take a ride on a small wooden boat and drift along the Luxi River which flows westwards through the mountain area, and they will be able to see all the beautiful scenes, green water, red mountains and moreover enjoy a blue sky and white clouds.

Apart from these, the hanging coffin groups, buried ancient Yue (a small tribe in ancient China), in the cliff of Dragon and Tiger Mountain dating back to 2600 years ago. The cliff is about more than 100 meters high so the ancient Yue people were very clever, which shows their wisdom. The coffins embedded in the steep cliff are like the cultural treasures displayed in the great history gallery. Overlooking the cliff, you can see the yellow coffins about thousands of years. Because of its expansive area, large quantity, dangerous location and unique shape, the tombs got the title 'the best natural archaeological museum of China'. No one is quite sure why or how the ancient site was built, so it's still a mystery waiting for you to discover.

For more information, please visit www.top-chinatour.com