Taogong Palace


Taogong Palace is a Taoist temple located on the west side of Linxiang Hill, beside the Liuyang River, in Langli Subdistrict, Changsha County, Hunan, China. The temple covers a total area of, with more than of floor space.

Etymology

The name, Tao is a common Chinese surname, and, an honorific title meaning "venerable", "lord" or "revered elder". Thus, Taogong Palace is dedicated primary to the memory and veneration of Tao Kan, a prominent general, governor, and statesman of the Eastern Jin dynasty. It also honors his grandson, who was similarly respected for his piety and loyalty. This reflects a traditional Chinese practice of venerating exemplary familial lineages.

History

In honor of Tao Kan, Taogong Palace was first built by his grandson in 504, in the 3rd Year of Period Tianjian in Liang dynasty.
The temple was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution and almost all of plaques which written by historical famous people were either removed, vandalized or destroyed. In 1988, the temple was restored by the municipal government. Then an extensive renovations began in 1994. It has been designated as a "provincial level key cultural heritage" in 1996.
The eldest things in the temple is a 1000-year-old camphor tree.

Architecture

The temple includes the following halls: Shanmen, Operatower, Stone steps, Main Hall and Side Palace Hall.

Main Hall

The Main Hall are generally two-room buildings at the central axis of temples in the highest point of the temple. Tan Kan and Guan Yin are enshrined in the front hall and the back hall respectively. Its surface paved by granite stones. A plaque which was written by Zhu Xi on the Main Hall. It reads "" in Chinese.

Transportation

  • Take bus No. 169 to Shaoguang Community Bus Stop
  • Take bus Xingsha 103 to Xingsha No. 2 Hospital Bus Stop