A Sacred Daoist Mountain Becomes A Newest World Heritage Site 13 July 2008
The Mount Sanqing for Three Clarity (三清山) is one of the most secrad Taoist sites in China. Located in China's Jiangxi Province, it is formed by three major summits, which reflects three supreme forces in the cosmos: Jade Clarity the Celestial Ruler of Origin (元始天尊玉清大帝), Superior Clarity the Celestial Ruler of Essence (灵宝天尊上清大帝) and Ultimate Clarity the Celestial Ruler of Virture (道德天尊太清大帝). Among the three, the highest peak Yujing Hill raises 1817 metres above sea level. The site was first developed during Jin Dynasty (晋朝 266－420) when Daoist master and Chinese Medicine specialist Ge Hong (葛洪) set up his chemical laboratory there to conduct his famous reserach on longevity and immortal pills. In the next thousand years or so, over two hundred Daoist temples and buildings were erected in the moutnain that has a total area of 2200 km². The architectural arrangements there are strictly based on Daoist views of cosmic order, with Three Clarity Temple in the centre representing Wuji the Pole-less, two major prayer halls in front and behind as yin-yang dual forces, and all other buildings radiating around. As always the case with Daoist sites, the buildings and the natural environment in Mount Sanqing are delicately blended into an organic whole, brinnging together the motion and the motionless, the tangible and the elusive, the exqusite and the raw, the unobstructed and the concealed.
As you negociate the demanding Easy Path (逍遥路), get through the Wind Gate (风门), or the Wondrous Thousand Steps Gate (众妙千步门) or the Hollow Hundred Steps Gate (冲虚百步门), ascend the Thunderstorm Tower (风雷塔), enter the Dragon Tiger Hall (龙虎殿), while watching in the backdrop the sun or the moon travelling across the sky, the mountain ranges and valleys unfolding themselves, you'll realise you're engaging an intimate dialogue with the heaven and the earth. A responsive and harmonious relationship between heaven, earth and man as such is the real wonder of the Mt Sanqing. And this wonder has been noted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation which results the site to be added to its World Heritage list in 2008. Pre: Olympics in an
Ancient Chinese City
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