An Ancient House
Courtyard in Baxianan Monastery
Taoists in Baxianan
Painted Beams and Walls
Chinese Characters
Ba Xian An Monastery is located in the north of the Changle Fang Street, in the east suburb close to the east part of Xian City Wall. As a famous scenic spot of Taoism, it is the largest Taoist Temple in Xian, also the most well-known Taoist construction in Northwest China. It is said that the Ba Xian An Monastery was built during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) to commemorate 'the Eight Immortals in Legend'.
Daoism derived from China from the Eastern Han Dynasty (25 - 220). Chinese ancient legend says that Daoism has eight immortals, namely Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguai Li, Cao Guojiu, Lü Dongbin, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu. One day these immortals passed by the site of the temple and stayed for a while. Since some people thought that these immortals appeared to bless them, thus a temple was built here in order to make sacrifices to these immortals. Hence it was named as Ba Xian An Monastery, meaning the Temple of the Eight Immortals.
The monastery is also called Ba Xian An Palace. In 1900 when the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded Beijing, Emperor Guangxu and Empress Dowager Cixi escaped to Xian and lived in the monastery. Therefore, Empress Dowager Cixi donated taels of silver later to fund the renovation of the monastery and gave it the name Ba Xian An Palace.
Besides visiting the monastery and burning incenses to pray for good luck, outside the Monastery, there are two-floor ancient buildings along both sides of the street. When you enter the rooms, you will find that all kinds of curios are on display. You will see many old copper mirrors, screens, books, four treasures of study (four things in Chinese study: pen, ink, paper and ink stone), copper swords, ancient falchion, gallipots, china, vases, jade small baubles and folding fans have been put together tightly inside the glass windows. While walking in the street outside the Ba Xian An Monastery, you will find the street to be filled with curio shops selling items such as Kwan-yin statues and baubles, in small and large sizes. Also, in the street you should not miss the small booths on the ground. You may often find many precious and valuable items there, but may not realize their value because most are dirty and covered with dirt.
Here the annual temple fair will be held on the 14th, 15th and 16th day of the fourth lunar month. During that period, Ba Xian An Monastery is a popular and important spot for Taoist celebrations in Shaanxi Province. In addition, the ceremonious religious activities on the Double Nine Festival (9th day of the 9th lunar month) also attract a lot of adherents and tourists from home and abroad.
Entrance Fee: CNY 3
Opening Time: 09:00 - 17:30
Bus Routes: Take Bus No. 8, 27, 37, 43, 203, 300, 602, 604, K630, 704, 709 or 721and get off at Jishiguai stop.
More Top Tourist Attractions in Xian:
