Taoist architecture mainly refers to the
Taoist temple buildings, which basically consist of the divine hall, the alter,
the room for reading sculptures and practicing asceticism, the living room, the
reception room for pilgrims, and the park where visitors can have a rest. The
general layout adopts the form of Chinese traditional courtyard, with the divine
hall on the mean axis and the reception room and Taoists' living room, etc., on
both sides. Together with a park cleverly built on the basis of the
architectural complex, a kind of fairyland thus comes into being.
Taoist temple buildings also clearly reflect
Taoists' strong will in the pursuit of happiness, longevity and
immortality.
The existing Taoist architectures were
mostly built in the periods of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Some
important buildings have been listed as the national or provincial key cultural
relics under special protection. As a kind of precious inheritance, their
design, layout and craftsmanship are still worthy of borrowing in modern
architecture.