The Huanglongdong (Yellow Dragon Cave) is a cave surrounded by Taoist temples
and shrines on the way to Jinding (Golden Peak). It is cool and damp, and said to
be an ideal spot for meditation.
The final ascent to Jinding is a zigzag stone staircase
of 212 steps carved into the mountain called Jiuliandeng (Nine Lotus Stairs). Standing
on Jiuliandeng, the summit appears to be near, and the mountains surrounding Jinding
appear to lean in towards the peak in respect. On arrival at the top, visitors go
through a dark hall called Zhuanyundian (Changing the Fate Palace). Taoists rap on
a wooden fish, asking, "have you turned round?" The reply, "Yes, I have," implies
that their fate has changed. Upon stepping out of the dark hall, the contrasting
sunshine is said to symbolize the experience of Nirvana and a new life ahead.
Do's
and don’ts in Holy Places:
Step over, not onto the thresholds of Taoist temples.
Do not point at or turn your back to statues of the gods.
There is an old saying in China, "(Buddhist) monks don't tell their names and Taoists don't tell their age." Do not ask the monks how old they are.