Zhongyue Temple (Zhongyue Miao): A Historical and Cultural Treasure in Central China

Written by Veronica | Updated August 11,2025

Zhongyue Temple is located at the foot of Taishi Mountain in the southern foothills of Mount Song, Henan Province, about 4 kilometers east of Dengfeng City. Founded in the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BC), it is a sacred site for worshipping the God of Mount Taishi.

Covering a total area of nearly 110,000 square meters, Zhongyue Temple is surrounded by hills with a rigorous layout and a grand scale. This Taoist temple is the largest and most well-preserved ancient architectural complex among the China’s Five Mountains, and is also one of “The Centre of Heaven and Earth” world cultural heritage sites.

Zhongyue Temple has been repaired and expanded through all dynasties, basically retaining the architecture after the Qing Dynasty’s reconstruction. Within Zhongyue Temple, there are 39 builds including halls, palaces, towers, pavilions (more than 400 rooms), as well as more than 70 ancient inscriptions, more than 200 pieces of metal and stone castings, and more than 330 ancient cypress trees from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.

Facts About Zhongyue Temple

• Chinese name: 中岳庙 (Zhongyue Miao)
• Address: 818 East Shaolin Avenue, Dengfeng City, Zhengzhou City, Henan Province
• Opening hours:08:00-18:00
• Time needed:about 1-3 hours
• Ticket price:30 RMB per adult
• Suited to:people who are interested in ancient Chinese architecture, culture, and Taoism

What to See and Do in Zhongyue Temple

Spectacular Architecture

Zhongyue Temple has a unique architectural style and exquisite carving, which has high historical and cultural value. Welcome to travel to Dengfeng, Henan to feel its antique beauty.

Entering through the Zhonghua Gate, along the 650-meter-long central axis, you can sequentially visit the Yaocan Pavilion, Tianzhong Pavilion, Peitian Zuozhen Arch, Chongsheng Gate, Huasan Gate, Junji Gate, Songgao Junji Arch, Zhongyue Great Hall (Junji Hall), Bedding Palace, and Royal Study from south to north.

On both sides of the central axis, there are also separate small courtyards such as the Gushen Warehouse, Fire God Temple, Ancestor’s Palace, Sanxian Temple, and Dragon King Temple.

Zhonghua Gate and Tianzhong Pavilion

Zhonghua Gate is the front door of Zhongyue Temple. It used to be a wooden memorial archway named as “the First Gate among Famous Mountains” and turned to a brick archway in 1942.

To the north of Zhonghua Gate stands the Yaocan Pavilion, which was designed in the shape of octagon. In ancient times, Yaocan Pavilion was a place for travelers to rest and worship the mountain God.

Behind the Yaocan Pavilion is the Tianzhong Pavilion. The name came from a saying “Mount Song is situated under the central heaven”.

Chongsheng Gate and Gushen Warehouse

Through the gate of Tianzhong Pavilion, you will enter the main courtyard of Zhongyue Temple. Here, pine and cypress trees stand tall, and a bluestone paved road in the center extends northward.

After passing through the Peitian Zuozhen Arch, you will reach the Chongsheng Gate.

East of Chongsheng Gate stands Gushen Warehouse. There are four iron men figures called the “Guards of the Warehouse” standing on the four sides of the warehouse. Casted in 1064 during Song Dynasty, the iron men are 3 meters high which all make fists, raise their arms, and square their shoulders with fierce eyes. They are the biggest and best-preserved existing iron men in China. It is said that the iron men can cure diseases and stop disasters, so they have become kind of like local gods.

Zhongyue Great Hall (Junji Hall)

Entering the Junji Gate, you’ll arrive at the Songgao Junji Arch, and the Junji Hall also jump into eyes.

Junji Hall, also known as Zhongyue Great Hall, is the main hall of Zhongyue Temple. Junji Hall was originally built during the Song Dynasty. During the early Qing Dynasty, it was rebuilt in accordance with the architectural style of the Taihe Hall in the Forbidden City. Built on a 3-meter-high platform, Junji Hall is the most magnificent building in Zhongyue Temple, measuring 20 meters in height and 920 square meters in area. There are plaques left by various dynasties hanging under the archway. Junji Hall is equipped with exquisite Dragon Zaojing in its ceiling.

Ancient Cypress Trees

There are a total of more than 2,900 cypress trees in Zhongyue Temple. And more than 10 cypress trees can even date back to over 3000 years ago. Towering ancient cypress trees give Zhongyue Temple an exceptional air of tranquility.

Zhongyue Temple Fair

It is a tradition of Zhongyue Temple to hold the Temple Fair twice every year on the tenth day of the third month and the tenth day of the tenth month in Chinese lunar calendar, and lasts for ten days.

Some customaries are still popular today such as “tethering clay baby” for women who wish for a baby and ”touching the ironman” for children to dispel sickness. During the temple fair, there are also various activities such as Dragon and Lion Dance.

Best Time to Visit Zhongyue Temple

It is recommended to plan your Henan tours during the months of March to May or September to November. During these off-peak periods, you can explore Zhongyue Temple and its surroundings quietly and comfortably.

Getting to Zhongyue Temple

From Dengfeng, take the bus No.2 and get off at the Zhongyue Temple station, then walk to the destination.

Alternatively, you can drive a car or take a taxi to Zhongyue Temple, which only takes around 10 minutes.

Attractions Nearby Zhongyue Temple

• Luya Temple and Luya Falls: Visit aBuddhist temple and picturesque waterfall.
• Songyue Temple Pagoda: Discover animpressive old octagonal brick pagoda.
• Songyang Academy: Explore aninfluential ancient academy in Moun Song.
• Shaolin Temple: Immerse yourself in martial arts and Buddhist culture at this temple.

Customize your Henan tours to Zhongyue Temple in Dengfeng