Chaotian Palace

The Ming Dynasty undertook a grand reconstruction of Mount Wudang, constructing the Taihe Palace, Qingwei Palace, Zixiao Palace, Chaotian Palace, Nanyan Palace, Wulong Palace, Yuxu Palace, Jingyue Palace, Yuzhen Palace, as well as the Renwei Temple, Huilong Temple, Longquan Temple, Fuzhen Temple, Yuanhe Temple, and other nine palaces and eight temples. Along with hermitages, pavilions, bridges, and gazebos, this vast ensemble of ancient Taoist architecture was built across the 800 li of Mount Wudang. A "Palace" is the dwelling of emperors and also the abode of deities, often large divine shrines bestowed by imperial edict. A "Temple" (or "Loudian"), originally an ancient high place for observation, is also where heavenly gods are greeted; later generations generically referred to Taoist temples as palaces and temples. Taoist palace and temple architecture developed from traditional Chinese palace, shrine, and altar buildings. They are places where Taoists worship deities and also locations for their seclusion and cultivation. In terms of layout, scale, and structure, Taoist palaces and temples not only inherit the traditional Chinese architectural philosophy, layout, and methods but also incorporate Daoist aesthetic ideas and values, forming their unique style. The halls enshrining Taoist deities in Taoist palaces and temples are set along…