Some 65 kilometers from Chengdu, the mountain is luxuriantly covered by green trees, hence its name meaning Green City Mountain since Tang Dynasty. Mt. Qingcheng is one of the birthplaces of Taoism, China's only indigenous religion. It is still a religious centre sprinkled with caves and shrines venerated by Taoists. Founded in AD 143 in Mount Qingcheng, Taoism has developed into an important religion in Southeast Asia, exerting tremendous influence there.There are 36 peaks, Laoxiaoding (the highest peak) being 1,600 meters above sea level. There are many scenic spots. The area is famous because the Taoist master, Zhang Daoling, once held Taoist activities on the mountain. Many buildings that have been used for Taoist activities are well preserved.
For ordinary tourists, Mount Qingcheng is an ideal summer resort. The four-hour trek to its summit, 1,600 meters above sea level, is a pleasant trip. Sixteen kilometers from Dujiangyan city, Mount Qingcheng has been known since ancient times as "the most tranquil place under heaven".
There are four famous Taoist mountains in China such as Mount Qingcheng in Sichuan Province, Mount Longhu in Jiangxi Province, Mount Wudang in Hubei Province and Mount Laoshan in Shangdong Province. UNESCO inscribed the Mount Qingcheng ¨C Dujiangyan Irrigation Project on the World Heritage List in 2000.