Wudang – Cradle of Taoism

In the concrete jungles of big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, tourists can be forgiven for wondering where the inspiration for all those traditional landscape paintings come from. Where did the Chinese tap into the idea of the harmony between man and nature? The mountains of Wudang in Hubei are a big part of the answer.

The mist-covered Hudang mountains – 72 peaks in all – its ravines, plant life, rivers and brooks stretch out like an endless panoramic painting. To top it off, no pun intended, Wudang is a sacred mountain for Taoists and one of the cradles of Taoism.

There are countless monasteries, temples and palaces within a 30-square kilometer area. Most of the temples are still in active use. In keeping with Taoist principles, all the buildings were built either to be in complete harmony with the surrounding landscape or to contrast and to mirror what's around it. The sights of Wudang look like a dreamland, a place where Taoist Immortals live and ponder the Tao – the way – in its deepest meaning.

Wudang has attracted many famous hermits for centuries. The most famous of them was the legendary Zhenwu, who gave up his throne at 15 and came to Wudang to find Truth. “Zhenwu” means “true warrior.” He spent 42 years mostly in seclusion in the mountains. The peak where he meditated has been named “Prince's Cliff.” The reason Zhenwu chose to live here is not such a mystery when you watch the spiritually breathtaking sights unfold before your eyes.

Wudang's highest peak is Tianzhu, which rises 1612 meters above sea level. As it name implies, it looks like a pillar that turns to heaven and the other peaks seem to bend towards it, almost bowing as a sign of respect.

The most famous building on Wudang can be found on Tianzhu peak. The Golden Hall, which is made from copper, was built in 1416. It is a replica of a typical temple made of wood and weighs over 80 tons. A 1.8 meter high copper statue of Zhenwu weighing ten tons can be found here. Tianzhu peak is the best place on Wudang to watch the sun set or rise over a sea of clouds.

Home of Taiji

Wudang is also known as the birthplace of Taoist internal martial arts. In contrast, the martial arts of the Buddhist Shaolin Temple are seen as hard or external. These two places are pilgrimage sites for martial arts enthusiasts.

Taiji, or Chinese morning exercises, is said to have been created here during the Ming dynasty when Zhang Sanfeng saw a bird and a snake fighting. Zhang mixed the best sides of the two animals with Taoist principles to create the original form of Taiji from where other forms have developed.

The monks of Wudang have practised “soft” martial arts for hundreds of years and the tradition lives on. Lucky travelers can catch a glimpse of monks as they practise on rooftops or the mountains.

The film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” brought Wudang and its martial arts to the world stage, leading to a deluge of schools around the mountains all claiming to be teaching the true Wudang martial art.

Wudang and its buildings was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Because of its remote location, Wudang is not as popular as, say, another Taoist holy mountain, Taishan, but every year, many pilgrims, martial arts enthusiasts and tourists visit. This cradle of Taoism in the midst of all of nature's splendor rewards these travelers. The Immortals still live on, in perfect harmony with the Tao, and looking on amusedly at our busy, busy world.