On the very edge of the Sichuan basin, where forested mountains of the Qinghai–Tibet plateau surge from the plains, the sacred Taoist peak of Qingcheng shan is just an hour from downtown Chengdu, but feels a world away. Ancient shrines dating from the time of the Tang dynasties nestle amid acres of beautiful old-growth forest on its slopes, interlaced by paved pathways. All, fine specimens of traditional architecture, its eleven principal temples mark places associated with the life and teachings of the philosopher Zhang Ling, first Celestial Master of Taoism.