Yüquan Monastery is located at the foot of Mount Hua and is the main venue for Taoist activities on Mount Hua. It's also a must-visit place for tourists exploring Mount Hua through Huashan Valley. Legend has it that Yüquan Monastery was built by the Taoist patriarch, Chen Tuan, during the Five Dynasties period. There are several local proverbs passed down: "The mountain belongs to the Taoists, the trees belong to the emperors, Mount Hua does not pay taxes, and no random cutting of trees is allowed." It is said that in the past, Chen Tuan played chess with Emperor Zhao Kuangyin on Mount Hua, and Zhao Kuangyin ceded Mount Hua to Chen Tuan, exempting it from taxation.
Yüquan Monastery is a garden-style architectural complex, backed by Mount Hua, surrounded by towering ancient trees. Inside the monastery, there is a spring with sweet and clear water. According to legend, Princess Jin Xian of the Tang Dynasty drew water from the Jade Well at Zhenyue Palace on the mountain to wash her hair and accidentally dropped her jade hairpin into the well. After returning to Yüquan Monastery, she found the jade hairpin while washing her hands with the spring water, realizing that this spring was connected to the Jade Well. Therefore, the princess bestowed the name "Yüquan" (Jade Spring) upon the spring, and the monastery was named after it.
The gate of Yüquan Monastery was rebuilt on its original site according to historical records, featuring a Ming-style column and eave architecture. Above the gate hangs a plaque inscribed by Guo Moruo with the word "Yüquan Monastery," written with powerful strokes. The tall poplar trees beside the gate were planted by Feng Yuxiang when his troops were stationed here. Inside the gate, on a large stone, are clearly carved words such as "Water conservancy saves people," "Human equality," and "Break superstition," all written by Feng Yuxiang. Yüquan Monastery is shaded by lush greenery and features winding corridors, making it a popular resting spot for visitors before they begin their ascent of Mount Hua.
Around 9:00 AM, the square in front of Yüquan Monastery was cordoned off by the police, prohibiting entry to casual visitors. However, as members of the art tour group, we were allowed to enter freely. Before touring the garden, we watched Tai Chi sword performances and fan dances. During this time, one of our famous photographers was pushed by a policeman maintaining order, which led to strong protests from everyone in our group.
After the performance, we entered Yüquan Monastery to watch the worship ceremony.