Huanglong Ancient Temple on Luofu Mountain

Luofu Mountain is recognized in Taoism as the 7th of the Ten Great Grotto-Heavens (洞天) and the 34th of the Seventy-Two Blessed Lands (福地). The term "Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands" (洞天福地) refers to sacred mountains and landscapes where deities reside, later symbolizing places of exceptional beauty or auspicious Feng Shui. These Taoist paradises are often centered around famous mountains or scenic waterways, believed to be dwelling places of immortals and ideal for spiritual cultivation.

History & Legacy
Huanglong Temple traces its origins to the Western Hermitage (西庵), built by Master Ge Hong (葛洪) of the Eastern Jin Dynasty as an alchemy site. During the Five Dynasties period, Liu Chang (刘鋹), the last ruler of the Southern Han Kingdom, constructed a palace here named "Tianhua Palace" (天华宫). After dreaming of a yellow dragon (huanglong) rising from the grounds, he renamed it "Huanglong Cave" (黄龙洞). By the late Ming Dynasty, Neo-Confucian scholar Zhan Ruoshui (湛若水) established the Shrine of Four Sages and an academy here—his inscribed stone tablet "Huanglong Cave" still remains.

In the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty, Taoist priest Zhang Miaosheng (张妙升) from Laoshan Mountain (Shandong) founded Huanglong Temple, propagating the Quanzhen Golden Mountain Sect (全真金山派). It became one of Luofu’s Five Great Temples, alongside Chongxu, Jiutian, Baihe, and Sulao.

Modern Restoration
In 1992, at the invitation of the Boluo County government, Hou Baoyuan (侯宝垣), abbot of Hong Kong’s Ching Chung Taoist Temple (青松观), led a donation campaign to rebuild Huanglong Ancient Temple. The project was completed and inaugurated in 1997.

Temple Complex & Natural Wonders
The restored temple spans 200 acres, featuring:

• Key Halls: Guardian Hall (护法殿), Three Masters Hall (三师殿), Three Pure Ones Hall (三清殿), Yuanchen Hall (元辰殿), Baopu Hall (抱朴堂), Purple Cloud Pavilion (紫云仙馆), Nurturing Truth Studio (养真轩), Brocade Sunset Garden (锦霞苑), Kunjing Tower (坤静楼), and Yun Vegetarian Restaurant (云松素食馆).
• Architectural Highlights: Ornate archways, winding corridors, and pavilions.
• Natural Attractions: Laoren Peak (老人峰), Bagua Cave (八卦洞), Qingyang Cave (青阳洞), Dragon Pearl Terrace (龙珠台), Herbal Washing Pool (洗药池), and the majestic Huanglong Waterfall (黄龙瀑布).Today, Huanglong Ancient Temple stands as one of South China’s most significant Taoist complexes and a premier destination for hiking, cultural exploration, and spiritual retreats.