Eight Immortals Temple Antique Street (Ba Xian), Xian (must see)

The Ba Xian Temple or Eight Immortal Temple is the largest Taoist temple in Xian and one of the most important in Northwest China. The street leading to the temple is flanked by stores selling an array of antiques and artifacts.

The Ba Xian Temple covers an area of 73,000 square meters. It has five halls in the entrance dedicated to the Taoist Protector Deity, Wang Lingguan. The next section has two halls. The hall at the back has painted figures of the eight immortals, Han Zhongli, Zhang Guolao, Han Xiangzi, Tieguai Li, Cao Guojiu, Lv Dongbin, Lan Caihe and He Xiangu who are regarded as guardian angels. The third section has the main hall where sacrifices were made to important Taoist deities. Taoist monks still reside in the nearby monastery and perform rituals here even today.

The antique market in the street outside the Eight Immortals Temple is about 100 meters long and is lined with shops selling religious Taoist figures, antiques, curios and Kwan-yin statues. Some hawkers sell their ware on mats spread on the ground. Ancient two storied buildings located outside the temple also form part of the market and house antique stores selling copper mirrors, folding screens, vases and fans.