Things to do in Wudang Mountains

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Hubei

Wudang Mountains

The Wudang Mountains are located in Shiyan, northwestern Hubei province. Its main peak, Tianzhu Peak, stands at an elevation of over 1,600 m. Legend has it that Emperor Zhenwu cultivated and ascended to immortality here, while Taoist Zhang Sanfeng further synthesized the essence of martial arts during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, making this the birthplace of Wudang martial arts. During the Yongle era of the Ming dynasty, the imperial court launched the monumental project of "constructing the Forbidden City in the north and building the Wudang Mountains in the south." The mountain temples were built according to royal standards, with their layout unfolding layer by layer following the mythological narrative of Zhenwu's spiritual cultivation. The palaces blend harmoniously with the peaks, cliffs, and streams, creating an ethereal and mystical atmosphere befitting a sacred mountain. The attractions unfold along the mountain terrain from the base to the summit, connecting key areas like Taizi Slope, Zixiao Palace, Nanyan Palace, and Taihe Palace. At Taizi Slope, the undulating Nine-bend Yellow River Wall follows the mountain contours, while Wuyun Tower's "one pillar supporting twelve beams" remains an architectural marvel. Zixiao Palace, a well-preserved imperial Taoist temple, features the stately Zixiao Hall with its double-eaved, nine-ridged roof. Nanyan Palace clings dramatically to a cliff face, offering vertiginous views of the valley below. Ascending the stone-paved ancient path to Tianzhu Peak's summit reveals the gilded bronze Golden Hall—the architectural masterpiece of the entire complex. As the birthplace of Wudang martial arts, this place attracts enthusiasts from home and abroad who come to seek masters and practice martial arts. The Taizi Slope on the mountain and the Xuantian Yuxu Palace at the foot serve as daily training grounds for practitioners. If you happen to encounter Taoist priests or students demonstrating Wudang boxing techniques, take a moment to quietly observe and appreciate the centuries-old martial arts heritage. A two-day visit is recommended: On the first day, enter from the mountain gate to visit Taizi slope and Zixiao palace, then stay overnight near Wuyaling. On the second morning, first visit Nanyan palace, then ascend to the golden summit before hiking down or taking the cableway at Qiongtai. After exiting the mountain gate, you may also visit Xuantian Yuxu palace. The attraction's shuttle buses connect all major core attractions, allowing flexible combinations of hiking and riding. Most dining and lodging options are concentrated around Nanyan, convenient for rest during the climb. From late October to November each year, when the forests are ablaze with color and red leaves cover the mountains, it's the perfect time to enjoy the fall scenery in the mountains.

No. 1 of Family-friendly Attractions in Shiyan

Wudang Yimeng Scenic Area

The WU DANG YI MENG immersive cultural tourism complex features two core performances: the large-scale original Chinese animation theatrical show "WU DANG YI MENG" and the panoramic circular-screen multimedia spectacle "Cycle of Life." It comprises six themed zones: the dome theater "Soaring Over Wudang," immersive dining performance "Wudang Tales: Jianghu Banquet," flagship theater "Wudang Martial Arts Arena," passageway plaza "Celestial Parade," cliffside waterfall "Light of Zhenwu," and commercial street stage "Wudang Theater." Supplementary facilities include a 360-degree cliff-view reception hall, themed cliffside guesthouses, and distinctive dining options like "Wudang Street Food" and "Wudang Tea House." This comprehensive experience vividly interprets Taoist philosophy, Wudang culture, and the legend of Zhenwu, deepening traditional visitors' understanding and passion for Mount Wudang while allowing younger visitors to discover its unique charm.

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Wudang Mountains

Wudang Mountain Scenic Area - Golden Summit

Wudang Mountain Scenic Area - Golden Summit is located at the summit of the master of Tianzhu Peak, the main peak of the Wudang Mountains, at an altitude of over 1,600 m, and is the final destination for pilgrims throughout history. During the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial court "built the Forbidden City in the north and renovated Wudang in the south," casting the Golden Hall at the summit. The hall is made entirely of gilded bronze. After the components were cast in Beijing, they were transported by water via the Grand Canal, the Yangtze River, and the Han River to the foot of the mountain, then carried up the mountain and assembled. It has remained gleaming for hundreds of years despite the elements. Inside the hall is a gilded bronze statue of Emperor Zhenwu, depicted with disheveled hair and bare feet, dressed in imperial robes. Flanked by the Golden Boy and Jade Maiden, as well as the Water and Fire Generals, this place is therefore regarded as the core of the Zhenwu faith. The climb to the summit is a pilgrimage in itself. Ascending the ancient sacred path, you pass through Yitian Gate, the Second Heavenly Gate, the Three Heavenly Gates, and Chaotian Palace in turn, before arriving at Taihe Palace and passing through the stone walls of Zijin City that surround the summit. Standing at the summit and looking around, the surrounding peaks guard the main peak, embodying what the ancients called the "seventy-two peaks bowing to the Great Summit." Clouds and mist in the mountains gather and disperse unpredictably. On clear days, you can overlook the layered ridges, and when the clouds rise, the peaks are half-hidden, as if floating above a sea of clouds. In the Zhuan Yun Hall on Xiaolian Peak, there is a small Yuan Dynasty bronze hall that predates the Golden Hall. It is easily overlooked but worth a special visit.

Nanyan Palace

Nanyan Palace was first built in the 22nd year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty (1285 AD) and expanded in the 10th year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1412 AD). The entire Nanyan Palace is embedded in a cliff face, built against the mountainside, and its perilousness is comparable to the Hanging Temple of Hengshan Mountain. Take the sightseeing bus within the scenic area from Zixiao Palace to the final stop, Wuyaling, and then walk through the Nantianmen Gate to reach Nanyan Palace. The area surrounding Nanyan Palace is lush with trees. The main existing buildings include Tianyi Zhenqing Palace (Stone Hall), the Main Hall, Liangyi Hall, Nantianmen Gate, and other Wudang Mountain attractions such as Feisheng Cliff and Longtouxiang. Legend has it that this is also the place where Zhenwu the Great attained enlightenment and ascended to heaven. When you pass through the South Heavenly Gate along the steep and winding ancient path and arrive at the main hall of Nanyan Palace (Xuandi Hall), you will feel a sudden opening before you. Below you lies the unfathomable Black Tiger Ravine. Looking ahead, the main peak of Wudang Mountain—Tianzhu Peak—is surrounded by mountains, a breathtaking panorama of green hills shrouded in mist, creating a feeling of ethereal bliss. The Tianyi Zhenqing Palace within Nanyan Palace, originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, is a "stone palace." All its components, such as beams, pillars, doors, windows, and plaques, are carved from bluestone and then assembled using mortise and tenon joints, making it a masterpiece of Chinese stone carving art. Built on a cliff, the scale and difficulty of the project are beyond imagination. To the right of Tianyi Zhenqing Palace is the Liangyi Hall. Outside the hall, in front of the cliff, stands a stone pillar carved with a dragon, extending 2.9 meters beyond the railing and only about 30 centimeters wide. A small incense burner sits atop the dragon's head; this is the "Dragon Head Incense." Surrounded by sheer cliffs on three sides, this spot was once a place where many devout men and women would burn "Dragon Head Incense" to show their piety when visiting Wudang Mountain. Many tragically fell to their deaths from the precipice. Now, for safety reasons, tourists are no longer allowed to risk their lives to offer incense here. Near Nanyan Palace, Feisheng Cliff (or Feisheng Rock) is also worth a visit. Surrounded by sheer cliffs on three sides, a narrow path leads to the summit, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. Legend has it that Zhenwu the Great cultivated here for decades in his youth before ascending to immortality. On Feisheng Cliff, there is a giant rock protruding from the cliff face called the "Test of Heart Stone," from which Zhenwu is said to have jumped to heaven. The boulder overlooks a bottomless abyss and is extremely dangerous. If you visit this area, please be extremely careful and do not attempt to step on this boulder.

Dragon Head Incense

The Dragon Head Incense is located in the Wudang Mountain Scenic Area, Shiyan City, Hubei Province, next to the cliff outside the Nanyan Wanshou Palace. Because of the incense burner at of the faucet, it is called "faucet incense". It is an ancient craftsman who uses a variety of techniques such as round carving and shadow carving to make a chisel. The craft is amazing. The legend is that the bastion of Emperor Xuanwu, Xuanwu Emperor often rides it to patrol everywhere.

No. 2 of Night Attractions in Shiyan

Yuxu Palace

Yuxu Palace,located in Wudangshan Town at the foot of Wudang Mountain, is approx. 4 km from Xuanyue Gate. It was first built in the 11th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1413). At that time, it served as the headquarters for managingWudang Mountain. It was inhabited by the "Wudang Tidiandu" (Wudang Superintendent), an official of the sixth rank personally selected by the Emperor. It was the largest temple in theWudang Mountainbuilding complex at the time, and the Yongle Emperor designated it as "Yuxu Palace". In the 7th year of the Tianqi reign of the Ming Dynasty (1627), a devastating fire occurred here, followed by disasters such as flash floods, which destroyed a large portion of the buildings. The existing buildings and ruins mainly include two palace walls approx. 1 km long, two stele pavilions, five hall foundations, theParents Hallrebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, the Yuntang, and the ruins of theEast Heavenly Gate, West Heavenly Gate, and North Heavenly Gate. In recent years, using the "restore old as old" method, projects such as theDragon and Tiger Hall, Yuxu Hall, Yudai River, and the stone slab flooring within the palace have been gradually restored and rebuilt. Today, when you arrive here from Xuanyue Gate at the foot of the mountain and walk on the stone-paved paths left over from the Ming Dynasty, although you see broken ruins, foundations, and remaining structures, you can still feel its grandeur and profound atmosphere. When visiting, you can often see martial arts enthusiasts practicing here, including many foreigners. Watching these foreign martial arts enthusiasts carrying Chinese broadswords and spears, walking under the mottled palace walls with hundreds of years of history, is quite an interesting sight.

Zixiao Palace

Founded in the Song Dynasty, the Zixiao Palace is located at the peak of the Wudang Mountain Exhibition Banner. It is surrounded by peaks and deep pines and cypresses. In the Song Dynasty, the Purple Palace was destroyed during the "Golden Arms South". In the 11th year of the Yong Dynasty (1413), Ming Chengzu Zhu Xi rebuilt the Wudang Mountain. The Purple Palace is one of the key palaces. It is also the home of the Ming Empire. . The main buildings of the Purple Palace are the Dragon and Tiger Hall, the Purple Temple and the Parent Hall. Among them, the Purple Temple is the main hall of the Purple Palace, and it is the only surviving temple in Wudang Mountain. It is built in three. Above the level of Chongtai, it is even more magnificent.

Taizi Slope

Taizipo, also known as Fuzhengguan, is located on the steep slope of the 60-degree Lion Peak of Wudang Mountain. It was built in the Ming Dynasty for ten years. It was rebuilt three times during the reign of Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty. It has basically maintained the scale of the year and is a large part of the Wudang complex. unit. It is said that the Prince of the Net Music Kingdom lived on this hillside when he entered the mountain monastic road when he was 15 years old. The Taizipo complex includes major buildings such as Fuzhen Bridge and Jiuqu Yellow River Wall. After taking the scenic bus to the parking lot of Taizipo, the face is “Fuzhen Bridge”. On the gate of the mountain gate after crossing the bridge, the brick carvings are engraved with the three characters of “Taizipo”. This is Mingyongle's seventeen-year-old horse. He Mulu wrote it in person.

Wudang Museum

Wudang Museum is located in the Cultural Square of Wudang Mountain Special Zone, Danjiangkou City. It opened to the public on April 23, 2008. The museum has 8 exhibition halls, including Wudang Architecture, Celebrities of the Immortal Mountain, Wudang Taoism, Taoist Sculptures, Wudang Palaces and Taoist Music, and Wudang Folk Customs. Hundreds of palace treasures and imperial gifts are exhibited in the museum, among which the golden dragon, jade bi and mountain tablets from the period of Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty are relatively precious. Among the exhibited cultural relics, the heaviest one is the bronze statue of Zhang Sanfeng, which weighs more than 1 ton; the lightest one is a golden dragon, which weighs only 16 grams. In addition, the museum has nearly 2,000 cultural relics in its collection. In terms of exhibition design, modern high-tech means such as sound, light, and electricity are used, combined with cultural relics collected from various periods, to show the breadth and depth of Wudang culture from multiple angles.

Three Views of Qiongtai