What does Taoism mean by having thirty-six caves and seventy-two blessed places?

Taoism has had the theory of "cave heaven and blessed land" since ancient times. Many well-known mountains in China are included in it and have become the residences of gods among Taoists. To this day, there are still many famous mountain temples that have become tourist attractions because of their rich Taoist cultural connotations.

Compared with the ten major caves, the thirty-six small caves of Taoism are "also places ruled by immortals". The details are as follows:

Huotong Mountain Cave - Three Thousand Miles Away, named Huolin Cave, is located in Changxi County, Fuzhou and is ruled by the immortal Wang Weixuan.

Dongyue Taishan Cave - Zhou Hui Thousand Miles, named Pengxuan Cave Heaven, is located in Qianfeng County, Gunzhou, and is governed by Shantu Gongzi.

Nanyue Hengshan Cave - Seven Hundred Miles Away, named Zhuling Cave, in Hengshan County, Hengzhou, it is governed by Immortal Stone Changsheng.

Huashan Cave in Xiyue - Three Hundred Miles Away, called the Soxian Cave, in Huayin County, Huazhou, the master of the car is the Master Hui.

Beiyue Hengshan Cave - Three Thousand Miles Away, named Suxuan Cave. It is located in Quyang County, Changshan, Hengzhou, and was ruled by Zheng Zizhen.

Zhongyue Songshan Cave - Zhou Hui Three Thousand Miles, named Sima Cave, is located in Dengfeng County, the eastern capital, and was ruled by the immortal Deng Yunshan.

Emeishan Cave - Three Hundred Miles Away, named Xuling Cave, in Emei County, Jiazhou, was managed by the real person Tang Lan.

Lushan Cave - one hundred and eighty miles away from Zhou Hui, it is called Dongling Zhentian. It is in De'an County, Jiangzhou, and was ruled by Zhenren Zhou Zhengshi.

Siming Mountain Cave - one hundred and eighty miles away from the Zhou Dynasty, it is called Shan Chishui Tian. It is located in Shangyu County, Yuezhou, and was managed by the real person Diao Daolin.

Kuiji Mountain Cave - Three Hundred and Fifty Miles Away, called Jixuan Dakangtian, is located in Jinghu Lake, Shanyin County, Yuezhou, and is governed by the immortal Guo Hua.

Taibai Mountain Cave - Five Hundred Miles Away, called Xuande Cave, is located in Lianzhongnan Mountain, Chang'an County, North Beijing Prefecture, and was ruled by the immortal Zhang Jilian.

Xishan Cave - Three Hundred Miles Away, named Tianzhu Baoji Xuantian, in Nanchang County, Hongzhou, was ruled by the real Tang Gongcheng.

Xiaowei Mountain Cave - Three Hundred Miles Away, called Haoshengxuan Shangtian, is located in Fuling County, Tanzhou, and is governed by fairy flower hills and forests.

Qianshan Cave - Eighty Li Zhouhui, named Tianzhu Si Xuantian, in Huaining County, Shuzhou, was ruled by Xianren Jiqiuzi.

Guigu Cave - Seventy Li Zhouhui, named Guixuansi Zhentian, in Guixi County, Xinzhou, was ruled by the real person Cui Wenzi.

Wuyi Mountain Cave - One Hundred and Twenty Miles Away, called Zhen Sheng Hua Xuantian, was ruled by the real person Liu Shaogong in Jianyang County, Jianzhou.

Jianshan Cave - One Hundred and Twenty Miles Away, named Taixuan Fa Lotte, located in Yongxin County, Jizhou, headed by the real person Liang Boluan.

Huagai Cave - Forty Li Zhou Hui, it is called Rongcheng Dayutian. It was built and managed by the immortal Ping Gong in Yongjia County, Wenzhou.

Gai Zhushan Cave - Eighty Li Zhouhui, named Changyao Baoguangtian, is located in Huangyan County, Taizhou, under the rule of the immortal Shang Qiuzi.

Duqiao Mountain Cave - one hundred and eighty miles away from the Zhou Dynasty, it is called Baoxuan Cave. It is located in Puning County, Rongzhou, and was cured by the immortal Liu Gen.

Baishi Mountain Cave - Seventy Li Zhouhui, named Xiule Changzhentian, in Hanshan County, Yunhe Prefecture, ruled by Zhenren Bai.

Fengluo Mountain Cave - Forty Li Zhouhui, named Yuque Baoguitian, is located in Beiliu County, Kezhou, and is under the rule of Immortal Xie Zhenren.

The Suspicious Mountain Cave - Three Thousand Miles Away, is called Chaozhentaixutian. It is located in Yantang County, Daozhou, and is governed by the Immortal Yan Zhenqing.

Dongyang Cave - one hundred and fifty miles away, named Dongyang and Yinguantian, is located in Changsha County, Tan, under the rule of Zhenren Liu.

Mufu Mountain Cave - One Hundred and Eighty Li Zhou Hui, named Xuanzhen Taiyuantian, is located in Tangnian County, Ezhou, under the rule of Chen Zhen.

Dayou Mountain Cave - one hundred miles back, called Dayou Hua Miao Tian, ??seventy miles to Chenzhou, Yin Zhenren ruled it.

Jinting Cave - Three Hundred Miles Away, named Jinting Chongmiaotian, located in Yan County, Yuezhou, under the rule of Zhao Xianbo.

Magu Mountain Cave - one hundred and fifty miles away from Zhouhui, named Danxiatian, is located in Nancheng County, Fuzhou, and is under the rule of Zhenren Wang.

Xiandu Cave - Three Hundred Miles Away, called Xiandu Qi Immortal Heaven, is located in Jinyun County, Chuzhou, and is under the rule of Zhenren Zhao.

Qingtian Cave - Forty-five Li Zhouhui, named Qingtian Dahetian, is located in Qingtian County, Chuzhou, under the rule of Fu Zhenren.

Zhongshan Cave - One Hundred Li Zhou Hui, named Zhuri Taishengtian, is located in Shangyuan County, Runzhou, under the rule of Gong Zhenren.

Liangchang Mountain Cave - Thirty Li Zhouhui, named Liangchang Fangming Cave, is located in Juke County, Runzhou, and belongs to Li Zhizhi.

Zigai Mountain Cave - Eighty Li Zhouhui, named Zixuan Cave Zhaotian, is located in Changyang County, Jingzhou, and is under the rule of Gongyu Zhenren.

Mushan Cave - Zhou Hui Baili, named Tiangai Di Xuantian, is located in Yuhang County, Hangzhou, under the rule of Zhenren Jiang.

Taoyuan Cave - Seventy Li Zhouhui, named Baima Xuanguangtian, is located in Wuling County, Xuanzhou, under the rule of Xie Zhenren.

Jinhua Cave - Fifty Li Zhouhui, named Jinhua Cave Yuantian, is in Jinhua County, Wuzhou, under the rule of Dai Zhenren.

The Seventy-Two Blessed Places of Taoism

Difeishan Mountain - on the border of Jurong County, Jiangning Prefecture, where Tao once lived in seclusion.

Gai Zhushan——In Xiandu County, Quzhou, Zhenren Shi Cun governed it.

Xianke Mountain——Fifteen miles away from Baixicao City in Liangcheng County, Wenzhou, the real person Zhang Donghua ruled it.

Dongxianyuan——In Huangyan County, Taizhou, it was ruled by Liu Fenglin, the local immortal.

Xixianyuan——also located 120 miles away from Qiaoling, Huangyan County, Taizhou, was governed by Dixian Zhang Zhaoqi.

Nantian Mountain - in the east of the East China Sea, accessible by boat, it is governed by Liu Zhenren.

Yuliao Mountain——On Pengcai Island near the East China Sea, many real immortals live here and the earthly immortal Xu Mai rules it.

Lantau Mountain - in the west of the East China Sea, connected with Fusang, the real person Liu Ziguang ruled it.

Yumudong--in the south of Yusun Mountain, is the hiding place of Xiao Ziyun, the minister.

Danxia Mountain - Magu Mountain is where Cai Jingzhen attained enlightenment. To this day, the sound of bells and chimes can be heard many times on rainy nights, and it belongs to Cai Jingzhen's rule.

Junshan——Located in Qingcao Lake in Dongting, it is ruled by the local immortal Housheng.

Daruoyan——located 120 miles east of Yongjia County, Manbian Prefecture, was governed by the local immortal Li Fang.

Jiao Yuan - in the north of Jianyang County, Jianzhou, is the hidden place of Zhenren Yin.

Lingxu——in the north of Tangxing County, Taizhou, is Mr. Baiyun’s hiding place.

Wozhou——located in the south of Yan County, Yuezhou, was ruled by Zhenren Fangming.

Tianmu Ridge - in the south of Shan County, it was ruled by the real person Wei Xianren.

Ruoye River - in the south of Kuaiji County, Yuezhou, is governed by Zhenrenshan Shiyuan.

Jinting Mountain - in Chao County, Luzhou, also known as Ziwei Mountain, it is governed by Ma Xianren.

Qingyuan Mountain--in Qingyuan County, Guangzhou, it is governed by Yin Zhenren.

Anshan - in the north of Jiaozhou, Mr. An Qisheng's hiding place is under his rule.

Maling Mountain--in the east of Guonei River in Chenzhou, Su Dan's hiding place belongs to the real herdsman.

Eyang Mountain - Mr. Lou Jia's hiding place in Changsha County, Tan.

Dongzhen Ruins - in Changsha County, Tan, where Han Zhong, the real person of Huashan, was ruled.

The Green Jade Altar—located to the west of Zhurong Peak in Nanyue, was governed by Qingwu Gong.

Guangtian Temple - at the west source of Hengyue, where Feng Zhenren ruled.

Donglingyuan - in the west of Nanyue Zhaoxian Temple, where Mr. Deng hid.

Donggong Mountain - in Wuling, Guanli Town, Jianzhou, it is the home of Princess Huangshan.

Taoshan——In Anguo County, Wenzhou, Mr. Tao once lived in seclusion here.

Huangjing (Sanhuangjing) - In Hengyang County, Wenzhou, where Bao Cha, the real person, governs.

Lanke Mountain - Mr. Wang Zhi's hiding place in Xin'an County, Weizhou.

Lexi - in the east of Jianyang County, Jianzhou, is the place where Confucius left his inkstone.

Longhu Mountain——In Guixi County, Xinzhou, the immortal Zhang Ju rules it.

Lingshan——located in the north of Shangrao County, Xinzhou, was ruled by Mo Zhenren.

The source of the spring - in Luofu Mountain, the immortal Hua Ziqi governed it.

Jinjing Mountain——in Qianhua County, Qianzhou, it was ruled by Qiu Jizi.

Ge Zaoshan - in Xingan County, Jizhou, where Guo Zhenren is governed.

Shi Fengshan - in Fengcheng County, Hongzhou, where Yin Zhenren ruled.

Xiaoyao Mountain--in Nanchang County, Hongzhou, where Xu Zhenren ruled.

Dongbaiyuan - in the east of Xinwu County, Hongzhou, where Liu Xianren ruled.

Bochi Mountain - in Chuzhou, where Wang Qiao achieved enlightenment.

Lunshan - in Dantu County, Runzhou, it was ruled by Zhongzhen Zhen.

Mao Gong Tan - in Changzhou County, Suzhou, it is the place where Immortal Zhuang practices Taoism.

Jilong Mountain - in Liyang County, Hezhou, under the rule of Guo Zhenren.

Tongbai Mountain - in Tongbai County, Tangzhou, under the rule of Li Xianjun.

Pingdu Mountain——In Zhongzhou, it is the place where Yin Zhenjun ascended.

Luluo Mountain - in Wuling County, Langzhou, adjacent to Taoyuan.

Huxi Mountain--in Pengze County, south of Jiangzhou, is the hiding place of Mr. Wuliu.

Zhanglong Mountain——located in the north of Liling County, Tanzhou, was governed by Mr. Zang.

Baofu Mountain - in Lianshan County, Lianzhou, under the jurisdiction of Fan Zhenren.

Damianshan - in Chengdu County, Yizhou, was ruled by the immortal Baichengzi.

Yuanchen Mountain——in Duchang County, Jiangzhou, it was governed by Sun Zhenren and An Qisheng.

MaTi Mountain - in Poyang County, Raozhou, where Zhenzizhou is governed.

Deshan——In Wuling County, Langzhou, the immortal Zhang Jujun ruled it.

Gaoxi Lanshui Mountain - in Lantian County, Yongzhou, and the place where Taishang travels.

Lanshui - in Lantian County, the Western Capital, under the rule of the local immortal Zhang Zhaoqi.

Yufeng——is located in Jingzhao County, the Western Capital, and is governed by Immortal Baihu.

Tianzhu Mountain--in Yuqian County, Hangzhou, it is ruled by the local immortal king Bai Yuan.

Shanggu Mountain - in Shangzhou, it is the hiding place of the Four Hao Immortals.

Zhang Gongdong——In Yixing County, Changzhou, it was cured by the real person Kang Sang.

Sima Meishan (Sima Huishan) - in the north of Tiantai Mountain in Taizhou, where Immortal Li Ming governs.

Growing in the mountains—in Changshan County, Qi, Zhenren Mao ruled it.

Zhongtiao Mountain--in Yuxiang County, Hezhong Prefecture, governed by Zhao Xianren.

Huyucheng Cave--in ancient Yaozhou, Mr. Shihuang once lived here in seclusion.

Mianzhu Mountain - in Mianzhu County, Hanzhou, ruled by Mrs. Qionghua.

Lushui——in Xiliangzhou, the immortal An Gong ruled it.

Ganshan——In southern Guizhou, Ning Zhenren governs the place.

[Wang Huang] Shan—in Hanzhou, governed by Mr. Chixu.

Jincheng Mountain - In ancient times, it was a limited garrison, and it was also called a stone garrison. It was the place governed by Zhenren Shi.

Yunshan - in Wugang County, Shaozhou, it was ruled by the immortal Lu Sheng.

Beimang Mountain - in Luoyang County, the eastern capital, under the rule of Wei Zhenren.

Lushan——Lianjiang County, Fuzhou, is governed by Xie Zhenren.

Donghai Mountain - located twenty-five miles east of Haizhou, it is governed by Wang Zhenren.

Note: Derived from "Records of Yuedu Famous Mountains in Dongtian Blessed Land", compiled by Du Guangting, a Taoist priest of the Five Dynasties.