Taichu Palace

The Taichu Palace is located on the right side of the eastern pass gate. Legend has it that Yinxi welcomed Laozi at Hanguguan Pass and served him as a master. At his request, Laozi completed the Tao Te Ching here. This great work has had an enormous impact on later times. In memory of this event, the Taichu Palace was built at the place where Laozi wrote the book. It was once a Taoist temple.

With classical architecture in the palace style, it was built during the West Zhou Dynasty. On the edges of ridges and gables are carved vivid patterns of rare birds and beasts such as unicorns, lions, tigers, roosters, dogs and so on. In the palace, there is a network of rafters and beams crossing overhead. In this spacious area, no columns could be seen. According to historical records, the present Taichu Palace was built before the Tang Dynasty and renovations have been made through the Yuan, the Ming and the Qing Dynasties. There are now two steles preserved, on which are recorded the story of Laozi passing by Hangu Pass on a blue bull. One was erected in the fourth year of Emperor Dade of Yuan Dynasty and the other in the reign of Emperor Shunzhi of Qing Dynasty.

Publishes at : 07-12-13 23:22

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