Ba Xian An (Temple of the Eight Immortals)
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| Hours | 7:30am-6pm | |
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| Location | Wu Dao Shizi Dongjie | |
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| Transportation | Bus: no. 13 or 42 from the station, or bus no. 4 or 11 from the Bell Tower to An Ren Fang. From An Ren Fang, continue east 135m/450 ft. before heading south down the 1st alley on your right; turn right when the road meets a T-junction. Immediately take a left and continue south to the back of the temple, following the incense vendors | |
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| Prices | Admission ¥3 (40¢) | |
Tucked away in a narrow alley the tour buses can't reach is the most charming temple in Xi'an. As with the Great Mosque, the walk into it is half the adventure, with a flea market out front in some of the temple's old buildings. This becomes a huge antiques market on Wednesday and Sunday mornings. Inside the temple, monks, their hair tied up in traditional Daoist fashion, play chess and are always keen for a chat. The folk legend of theEight Immortals (Ba Xian)is said to have originated here during the late Tang dynasty. As you look at the temple murals, note the influence of Confucianism on its supposed alter-ego, Daoism: The eight Immortals have a strict hierarchy, with Lu Dongbin in front on his tiger, the rotund Tieguai Li waddling along with his crook to his side, and the one woman, He Xiangu, near the back, carrying a lotus flower.
Note:This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.