Baiyun Guan (White Cloud Temple)

Description:

• The Baiyun Guan (White Cloud Temple) will probably not be on your itinerary, which is why you shouldn't miss it when you visit the city. Built sometime back in the 700 A.D, it is not a very popular spot with tourists, so it's a perfect pick to truly experience the local culture. It is a Taoist temple that has quite a history. Formerly serving as a military safe house and barracks for a long while after the Cultural Revolution, it is now home to the China Taoism Association. It is also home to monks who live a truly traditional Taoist life. The temple has three gateways, each of which stand for three different elements in Taoist belief: Substance, Emptiness and Desire. The temple also has sculptures and carvings of deities throughout the structure. There is a bookshop in the temple that has a few souvenirs you could take home.
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