Qingjiao Ciji Palace in Xiamen Haicang District has been named as a national 4A scenic spot by China's National Tourism Administration (CNTA) recently.

Qingjiao Ciji Palace (青礁慈济祖宫)

The entrance of Qingjiao Ciji Palace in Xiamen Haicang District

Qingjiao Ciji Palace, also known as East Palace (东宫), is located on the Dongming Range, Qishan Mountain in Qingjiao Village in Xiamen Haicang District, covering an area of 1.15 square kilometres.

The statue of "Medical Saint" Wu Tao in the Qingjiao Ciji Palace

In honor of Wu Tao, a "Medical Saint" (医灵真人) who devoted his whole life to saving people in China and Southeast Asia, the palace previously named Ciji Miao (慈济庙) was built in 1151, and renamed Ciji Palace in 1241. Nowadays it has become a famous tourist resort with key historical and cultural relics under state protection, to which thousands of pilgrims made the trek, to pay homage to the "Medical Saint".

Attractions

1. Ciji Temple (慈济祖宫)

Ciji Temple is comprised of groups of majestic and splendid palace buildings. Its main hall is supported by tens of huge stone pillars including 12 rare dragon pillars. Numerous ancient art treasures created with wonderful ancient techniques including stone sculptures, wood carvings and paintings can be found all over the temple.

2. Herbs Garden (百草园)

Herbs Garden in the Qingjiao Ciji Palace

Built in 2007, the Herb Garden has planted more than 400 kinds of medicinal herbs, covering an area of 4,000 square metres. It was given the title of "Xiamen's Model Science Education Base" in 2008, with the goal that it preserve the culture of traditional Chinese medicine and increase the variety and quantity of medicinal herbs in the city.

3. Fujian-Taiwan Museum of TCM (闽台中医药博物馆)

Fujian-Taiwan Museum of TCM in the Baosheng Hall of Ciji Temple

Opened in April 2008, the Fujian-Taiwan Museum of TCM set up in Baosheng Hall of Ciji Temple (慈济祖宫保生堂) seeks to expound the historical origins of traditional Chinese medicine in both Fujian and Taiwan. With an indoor exhibition area of more than 500 square metres, the museum, which integrates the outdoor Herb Garden and Gallery for Famous Herbalist Doctors, has become the China's first TCM museum that combines indoor and outdoor exhibition areas.

4.Cross-strait Baosheng Ciji Cultural Festival (海峡两岸保生慈济文化节)

Cross-strait Baosheng Ciji Cultural Festival held in Haicang Qingjiao Ciji Palace

The annual Baosheng Ciji Cultural Festival has been held in Haicang Qingjiao Ciji Palace since 2006, and was upgraded to a cross-strait cultural festival in 2009. In 2010, the Cross-strait Baosheng Ciji Cultural Festival made its debut in Taiwan, becoming a platform for the cultural exchanges and tourism cooperation between both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

With the theme of "health, benevolence, harmony", the Cross-strait Baosheng Ciji Cultural Festival seeks to promote Minnan culture and promote cross-strait communication.

Add: Maqing Road, Haicang District, Xiamen, Fujian Province/福建省厦门市海沧区马青路

Tel: 0592-6881818

Opening hours: 05:30-19:30

Admission: Free

How to get there:

Take bus # 71, 72, 95 and get off at Haicang Fangchan Station (海沧房产站), then take bus # 451, 801, 831 and get off at Ciji Donggong Station (慈济东宫站)