Lishan Laomu Palace in Xi'an

　　

　　Lishan Laomu is a goddess in Taoist legend, and she is also regarded as one of the ancestors in China. Therefore, there are temples built in many places for her. The Lishan Laomu Palace in Xi'an City of Shaanxi Province is the most famous one among those extant temples. The Lishan Laomu Palace is situated on the Xixiu Ridge of Lishan Mountain, Lintong District, Xi'an City.

　　

　　

It was first constructed in the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC), rebuilt in the early Tang Dynasty (618-907), and then renamed as Laomu Temple.

　　

　　The main buildings include the Palace Gate, the Three Immortals Hall, the Sacrifice Hall, the Main Hall, the Wing Room and the Side Hall. Statues of three goddesses, namely Yun Xiao, Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao, worshiped by Taoism are enshrined in the Three Immortals Hall; the gilded statue of main god Lishan Laomu is enshrined in the Main Hall. A two-storeyed Canon-Storing Tower was once constructed behind the Main Hall at the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Before that, the principal buildings in the palace once underwent some large-scale repairs, so most extant buildings are of the styles of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The extant buildings cover 8000 square meters. These buildings underwent two repairs after 1949, but the original appearance and style were not changed.

　　

　　Many ancient cultural relics are stored in the Laomu Palace. The most important relic is the Stele of Lishan Laomu's Canon Teaching, which records the story that famous Taoist Li Quan of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) met with Lishan Laomu at the foot of Lishan Mountain, and Laomu taught him Yin Fu Jing (Classic of the Harmony of the Seen and the Unseen).