Qingcheng Front Mountain Loop

Qingcheng Front Mountain (Qingchengshan) is one of the birthplaces of Taoism in China, and its front-mountain loop threads through cypress and bamboo forest past a chain of active Taoist temples in Dujiangyan, Sichuan. From the main gate, stone-paved steps climb steadily through shaded forest to Tianshi Cave and on to Shangqing Palace near the 1,260 m summit ridge, with a side option to cross Yuecheng Lake by a small passenger boat before rejoining the main steps. The full loop covers roughly 8-10 km and climbs about 360 m from the 900 m gate elevation, all on well-maintained stone steps with handrails on the steeper pitches, so there is little exposure and no scrambling. Shade is near-continuous under the old-growth forest canopy, and the stone surface can be slick after Sichuan's frequent light rain. Key landmarks along the way include Jianfu Palace near the entrance, Tianshi Cave (associated with Taoist founder Zhang Daoling), and Shangqing Palace close to the top; most visitors turn around at Shangqing Palace or continue a short distance further to the cable car station for a faster descent. Small teahouses are spaced along the route selling tea, snacks, and bottled water, though supplies thin out on the upper stretches, so carrying a bottle of water is worthwhile. There is no true refuge hut, but the temples themselves offer covered rest areas during heavy rain. A cable car (separate fee) bypasses the final steep section for hikers who prefer to skip it on the way up or down.