Wudang Mountain
Unesco World Heritage, National AAAAA Tourist Area
also named Taihe Mountain, has long been a sacred mountain in China, it is the No.1 Taoist Mountain in China, is the “original cradle of Tai Chi”. Situated in Shiyan in Hubei Province, spreading about 312 sqkm. Wudang Mountain has already been an important site for religious activities from the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) to the end of Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) in ancient China. During the reign of Emperor Tang Taizong (627-649 AD), the Wulong Shrine (Five Dragon Palace) was constructed. In later periods, as Taoism developed prosperously, this mountain gradually got its reputation among people under the praise of the emperors and was regarded as the No.1 Famous Taoist Mountain in Ming Dynasty and the royal temple for the emperor and his family, since which it became the largest Taoist rite nationwide. Under the imperial order of Emperor Zhu Di in Ming Dynasty, Wudang Mountain began its expansion. 33 architectural complexes including 9 palaces, 8 temples, 36 abbeys, 72 rock temples, 39 bridges, 12 pavilions were completed during 12 years.
Unesco World Heritage, National AAAAA Tourist Area
also named Taihe Mountain, has long been a sacred mountain in China, it is the No.1 Taoist Mountain in China, is the “original cradle of Tai Chi”. Situated in Shiyan in Hubei Province, spreading about 312 sqkm. Wudang Mountain has already been an important site for religious activities from the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC-476 BC) to the end of Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD) in ancient China. During the reign of Emperor Tang Taizong (627-649 AD), the Wulong Shrine (Five Dragon Palace) was constructed. In later periods, as Taoism developed prosperously, this mountain gradually got its reputation among people under the praise of the emperors and was regarded as the No.1 Famous Taoist Mountain in Ming Dynasty and the royal temple for the emperor and his family, since which it became the largest Taoist rite nationwide. Under the imperial order of Emperor Zhu Di in Ming Dynasty, Wudang Mountain began its expansion. 33 architectural complexes including 9 palaces, 8 temples, 36 abbeys, 72 rock temples, 39 bridges, 12 pavilions were completed during 12 years.
Golden Summit Scenic Area
The Golden Summit Scenic Spot includes Golden Hall, Scripture Hall, Purple Gold City, Pilgrimage Palace, the Yuan Dynasty Bronze Hall and many other ancient buildings on the sacred road to Taihe Palace. Other historic sights are the Central Taoist Temple, the Yellow Dragon Cavity and the First, Second and Third Celestial Gates. These buildings house many historical relics and treasures such as Taoist joss, altars, sacrificial vessels and musical instruments.
Golden Hall/Golden Palace/Golden Peak (金殿)/Taihe Palace (太和宫)/Palace of Harmony
located on the highest peak in Wudang, 1613m high, this sacred place is the soul and symbol of Wudang Mountain. Built about 600 years ago under the order of Ming Emperor Zhu Di who stressed the respect to nature without any change of the mountain itself, Golden Palace was featured with royal magnificent charm and looked authentically harmonious with nature. The construction of the palace was started in 1416 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and it features the largest extant brass cast building in China. The Golden Hall is 5.54m high, 4.4 wide and 3.15 deep. It is cast in brass and decorated with gold with a double-eaves roof. The ridge of the hall is decorated with vividly shaped gods, men, birds and animals. The hall has twelve stone lotus-based columns with elegantly structured brims and rafters. The crossbeams and the ceiling are carved with cloud patterns and spirals. The base of the hall is a stone platform made of granite rock and circled with engraved stone railings. All the josses, altars and sacrificial vessels are brass. In the center is enshrined the God Zhenwu, the Taoist god of Wudang Mountain. He is strong and tall with disheveled hair. He wears a gown and a suit of armor. Beside him stand the statues of a lovely boy and a pretty girl. On the two sides stand the statues of two brave generals named Water and Fire, which show the artistic essence of all the brass statues on Wudang Mountain. The construction elements were produced in Beijing and then transported via China’s Grand Canal to Wudang Mountain and then installed. The Golden Hall was first cast in parts, which were then precisely riveted and welded together. Despite more than 500 years of natural erosion and occasional extreme weather, the palace is still in splendid condition. It is considered a pearl in the history of ancient architecture and casting technology in China. In front of the Golden Palace, there are two bronze bell and chime pavilions built during the Jiajing reign (1521-1566) of the Ming Dynasty. On both sides of the palace there are rooms for deity seals. At the back of the palace is the Parents' Palace housing statues of Emperor Zhenwu's parents. Along the mountainside under the palace lies a circular stone wall named Purple Gold City. Facing the cliff, the high wall is 1.5 kilometers long with four stone gates. The steepness adds to the impression of loftiness.
The Golden Summit Scenic Spot includes Golden Hall, Scripture Hall, Purple Gold City, Pilgrimage Palace, the Yuan Dynasty Bronze Hall and many other ancient buildings on the sacred road to Taihe Palace. Other historic sights are the Central Taoist Temple, the Yellow Dragon Cavity and the First, Second and Third Celestial Gates. These buildings house many historical relics and treasures such as Taoist joss, altars, sacrificial vessels and musical instruments.
Golden Hall/Golden Palace/Golden Peak (金殿)/Taihe Palace (太和宫)/Palace of Harmony
located on the highest peak in Wudang, 1613m high, this sacred place is the soul and symbol of Wudang Mountain. Built about 600 years ago under the order of Ming Emperor Zhu Di who stressed the respect to nature without any change of the mountain itself, Golden Palace was featured with royal magnificent charm and looked authentically harmonious with nature. The construction of the palace was started in 1416 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and it features the largest extant brass cast building in China. The Golden Hall is 5.54m high, 4.4 wide and 3.15 deep. It is cast in brass and decorated with gold with a double-eaves roof. The ridge of the hall is decorated with vividly shaped gods, men, birds and animals. The hall has twelve stone lotus-based columns with elegantly structured brims and rafters. The crossbeams and the ceiling are carved with cloud patterns and spirals. The base of the hall is a stone platform made of granite rock and circled with engraved stone railings. All the josses, altars and sacrificial vessels are brass. In the center is enshrined the God Zhenwu, the Taoist god of Wudang Mountain. He is strong and tall with disheveled hair. He wears a gown and a suit of armor. Beside him stand the statues of a lovely boy and a pretty girl. On the two sides stand the statues of two brave generals named Water and Fire, which show the artistic essence of all the brass statues on Wudang Mountain. The construction elements were produced in Beijing and then transported via China’s Grand Canal to Wudang Mountain and then installed. The Golden Hall was first cast in parts, which were then precisely riveted and welded together. Despite more than 500 years of natural erosion and occasional extreme weather, the palace is still in splendid condition. It is considered a pearl in the history of ancient architecture and casting technology in China. In front of the Golden Palace, there are two bronze bell and chime pavilions built during the Jiajing reign (1521-1566) of the Ming Dynasty. On both sides of the palace there are rooms for deity seals. At the back of the palace is the Parents' Palace housing statues of Emperor Zhenwu's parents. Along the mountainside under the palace lies a circular stone wall named Purple Gold City. Facing the cliff, the high wall is 1.5 kilometers long with four stone gates. The steepness adds to the impression of loftiness.
Nanyan Palace or South Rock Palace (南岩宫)
first built in Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt in 1413, the whole palace building group was expanded into 460 rooms during Qing dynasty and presented a new look in 1862 with lots of temples. Nanyan is the most beautiful among all the 36 Rocks in Wudang Mountain. Passing the Liangyi Palace, you could see the famous “leading incense” at the “dragon head” reaching in the air. When you walk in Nanyan Palace, you can see four red Chinese characters on the cliff, which are “longevity (寿)”, “fortune (福)”, “health (康)”, and “peace (宁)”, they express the fair wishes of people on earth, which indicates the theory of Taoism not only in the cultivation of oneself but also on the best wishes to the world.
Tianyi Zhenqing Palace
In the South Cliff View-site of the Wudang Mountain, the most famous building is a stone one, which named the Tianyi Zhenqing Palace. It's said that after Zhenwu - the Xuanwu Emperor of Taoist ascended to the paradise, he lived in a palace called the Tianyi Zhenqing Palace. Then the followers of Zhenwu on the earth built the palace. According to the recording, the Tianyi Zhenqing Palace was built by a famous Taoist Zhang Shouqing at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty and was finished 27 years later. Zhang went to Wudang Mountain at the age of 30 where he led his thousands of disciples to reclaim wasteland, planted the land and cut the cliff. He left this marvelous building for the later generations. This stone palace - one of the masterpieces of Chinese ancient architecture - is a famous and symbolic one of the ancient Chinese stone buildings. The Tianyi Zhenqing Palace is made of wood-like stones. The roof beams, pillars, square timbers, windows, doors, and decorations of animal sculptures on the roof ridges were carved from green stones. These stones then were combined together. The whole palace was accurately designed, delicately structured, and exquisitely carved, which made it a masterpiece of the Chinese stone carvings.
first built in Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt in 1413, the whole palace building group was expanded into 460 rooms during Qing dynasty and presented a new look in 1862 with lots of temples. Nanyan is the most beautiful among all the 36 Rocks in Wudang Mountain. Passing the Liangyi Palace, you could see the famous “leading incense” at the “dragon head” reaching in the air. When you walk in Nanyan Palace, you can see four red Chinese characters on the cliff, which are “longevity (寿)”, “fortune (福)”, “health (康)”, and “peace (宁)”, they express the fair wishes of people on earth, which indicates the theory of Taoism not only in the cultivation of oneself but also on the best wishes to the world.
Tianyi Zhenqing Palace
In the South Cliff View-site of the Wudang Mountain, the most famous building is a stone one, which named the Tianyi Zhenqing Palace. It's said that after Zhenwu - the Xuanwu Emperor of Taoist ascended to the paradise, he lived in a palace called the Tianyi Zhenqing Palace. Then the followers of Zhenwu on the earth built the palace. According to the recording, the Tianyi Zhenqing Palace was built by a famous Taoist Zhang Shouqing at the beginning of the Yuan Dynasty and was finished 27 years later. Zhang went to Wudang Mountain at the age of 30 where he led his thousands of disciples to reclaim wasteland, planted the land and cut the cliff. He left this marvelous building for the later generations. This stone palace - one of the masterpieces of Chinese ancient architecture - is a famous and symbolic one of the ancient Chinese stone buildings. The Tianyi Zhenqing Palace is made of wood-like stones. The roof beams, pillars, square timbers, windows, doors, and decorations of animal sculptures on the roof ridges were carved from green stones. These stones then were combined together. The whole palace was accurately designed, delicately structured, and exquisitely carved, which made it a masterpiece of the Chinese stone carvings.
Purple Cloud Palace or Zixiao Palace (紫霄宫)
one of the best preserved palaces on Wudang Mountain, first built during 1119-1125 AD, the whole palace building group remains its original appearance. There are 182 rooms. Looking from the axle wire, the constructions locate there symmetrically along the mountain. In the Purple Cloud Palace, there are not only countless carvings and paintings of dragon, phoenix, sun, moon, clouds, thunders, sea, sky, birds and beasts, floras and plants, but also statues of Taoist immortals, which are full of colors and lifelike vigor. The Grand Hall inside Purple Heaven Palace is the only left double-eaves, lean-to wooden building. It is one of the rare examples of uplift wooden crossbeam construction in the history of the Taoist architecture. This architectural complex has a floor space of 7000 sqm. Along both sides of the axle you can see Dagon-Tiger Hall, the Pavilion Housing Imperial Stone Tablets, the Guest-Reception Hall, two side-halls and Parents Hall. The big Chinese characters on the lintel of the palace door have vigorous strokes. The four characters on the right horizontal board read xie zang zhong tian, and the characters on the middle one read shi pan liu tian. The words mean that the Zhenwu god, once was the ruler of Middle Heaven, stamped out the demons and brought peace in the Heavenly Palace. And the four characters on the left board read yun wai qing du, referring to the peaceful residence of immortals, which reflects the Taoist ideology of holding themselves apart from the world. Purple Heaven Palace is where the Wudang Taoist prayed for the imperial family. The emperors in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties often issued orders to construct altars to bless and praise their ancestors in heaven. They also requested the assistance of the deities to ensure a prosperous people, good weather for the crops and a bumper grain harvest.
one of the best preserved palaces on Wudang Mountain, first built during 1119-1125 AD, the whole palace building group remains its original appearance. There are 182 rooms. Looking from the axle wire, the constructions locate there symmetrically along the mountain. In the Purple Cloud Palace, there are not only countless carvings and paintings of dragon, phoenix, sun, moon, clouds, thunders, sea, sky, birds and beasts, floras and plants, but also statues of Taoist immortals, which are full of colors and lifelike vigor. The Grand Hall inside Purple Heaven Palace is the only left double-eaves, lean-to wooden building. It is one of the rare examples of uplift wooden crossbeam construction in the history of the Taoist architecture. This architectural complex has a floor space of 7000 sqm. Along both sides of the axle you can see Dagon-Tiger Hall, the Pavilion Housing Imperial Stone Tablets, the Guest-Reception Hall, two side-halls and Parents Hall. The big Chinese characters on the lintel of the palace door have vigorous strokes. The four characters on the right horizontal board read xie zang zhong tian, and the characters on the middle one read shi pan liu tian. The words mean that the Zhenwu god, once was the ruler of Middle Heaven, stamped out the demons and brought peace in the Heavenly Palace. And the four characters on the left board read yun wai qing du, referring to the peaceful residence of immortals, which reflects the Taoist ideology of holding themselves apart from the world. Purple Heaven Palace is where the Wudang Taoist prayed for the imperial family. The emperors in the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties often issued orders to construct altars to bless and praise their ancestors in heaven. They also requested the assistance of the deities to ensure a prosperous people, good weather for the crops and a bumper grain harvest.
Prince Slope or Taizi Po (太子坡) or Fuzhen Guan (复真观)
The Prince Slope Architectural Complex was meticulously designed in accordance with the legend of the god of Zhenwu, the prince of Jingle Kingdom, who wanted to ascend to heaven. According to the legend, Zhenwu ran away from his kingdom to Wudang Mountain when he was 15 years old. He wished to learn Taoism and become an immortal. So this is one of the places where Zhenwu was refining himself, according to Taoist doctrine. The buildings here were put up in 1412 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Pond of Tears. Visitors have to walk along a winding passage leading to the temple to reach the Pond of Tears. From the entrance to the temple is only 71 meters straight-line distance. But when the ancients built it, the distribution complied with a mountain-shaped arc wall that made the journey a zigzag one. In the courtyard is the Pond of Tears. According to legend, after Zhenwu left home, his mother, the queen of Jingle Kingdom, missed her son so much that she wept and wailed every day. Her tears filled what became the pond.
Scripture Hall. is where Zhenwu studied Taoist scriptures. The prince had studied diligently for 42 years, and finally he became a master of Taoism. It is believed that children who kowtow to the God of Zhenwu will become intelligent.
Five-Story Tower. A well-known building in Prince Temple is the Five-Story Tower. It is the tallest building on Wudang Mountain. The most specific structure of the building is on the fifth floor. On one column there are 12 beams piled and intersected one upon another, connected with a gable and hip roof and bracket. In this way, the weight of the roof is distributed evenly and more materials and floor space are saved.
The Prince Slope Architectural Complex was meticulously designed in accordance with the legend of the god of Zhenwu, the prince of Jingle Kingdom, who wanted to ascend to heaven. According to the legend, Zhenwu ran away from his kingdom to Wudang Mountain when he was 15 years old. He wished to learn Taoism and become an immortal. So this is one of the places where Zhenwu was refining himself, according to Taoist doctrine. The buildings here were put up in 1412 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Pond of Tears. Visitors have to walk along a winding passage leading to the temple to reach the Pond of Tears. From the entrance to the temple is only 71 meters straight-line distance. But when the ancients built it, the distribution complied with a mountain-shaped arc wall that made the journey a zigzag one. In the courtyard is the Pond of Tears. According to legend, after Zhenwu left home, his mother, the queen of Jingle Kingdom, missed her son so much that she wept and wailed every day. Her tears filled what became the pond.
Scripture Hall. is where Zhenwu studied Taoist scriptures. The prince had studied diligently for 42 years, and finally he became a master of Taoism. It is believed that children who kowtow to the God of Zhenwu will become intelligent.
Five-Story Tower. A well-known building in Prince Temple is the Five-Story Tower. It is the tallest building on Wudang Mountain. The most specific structure of the building is on the fifth floor. On one column there are 12 beams piled and intersected one upon another, connected with a gable and hip roof and bracket. In this way, the weight of the roof is distributed evenly and more materials and floor space are saved.
Needle-Grinding Well
\The prince did not study Taoism without any setbacks. Once he was disheartened after several years of learning when he met the God of the Purple Primordial Sovereign who disguised himself as an old woman. The old woman was grinding an iron rod. Zhenwu asked the old woman why she was grinding the iron rod. “Perseverance spell spells success. If you work at it hard enough, you can grind an iron rod into a needle,” she told him. Zhenwu realized that he should not give up his belief of Taoism halfway and must go on practicing Taoism and living an austere life. According to this legend, the Needle-Grinding Well was built in the Yongle regime of the Ming Dynasty and was renovated in the Kangxi Regime of the Qing Dynasty.
\The prince did not study Taoism without any setbacks. Once he was disheartened after several years of learning when he met the God of the Purple Primordial Sovereign who disguised himself as an old woman. The old woman was grinding an iron rod. Zhenwu asked the old woman why she was grinding the iron rod. “Perseverance spell spells success. If you work at it hard enough, you can grind an iron rod into a needle,” she told him. Zhenwu realized that he should not give up his belief of Taoism halfway and must go on practicing Taoism and living an austere life. According to this legend, the Needle-Grinding Well was built in the Yongle regime of the Ming Dynasty and was renovated in the Kangxi Regime of the Qing Dynasty.
The Middle Temple at Qiongtai
Jade Void Palace (Yuxu Palace)
During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor ordered the construction of Forbidden City in Beijing of north and the large scale of construction project in Mount Wudang of south. There were altogether three layers of wall erected to surround the center and hundreds of buildings clustered there. The Yuxu Palace covers an area of 5.25 million sqm and has altogether 2200 houses. This palace was a base camp when building the Wudang Mountain, so people usually call it as "Old Camp Palace". At that time, 2200 temples and palaces were built all together. In 1627 A.C. the Yuxu Palace caught fire and the main buildings collapsed. The palace was built in 1412 during the Ming Dynasty. It was the largest architectural complex among the Taoist constructions on Wudang Mountain. The layout is similar to that of the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Restricted by the topographical conditions, the palace faces north. Other imperial palaces in China face south. Forbidden City is in the center of Yuxu Palace with six successive gates. Within the palace gates there is a 25,000 sqm courtyard paved with large slabs. In the courtyard stood two pavilions housing tablets on which the imperial edicts of Emperor Yongle were inscribed. Lile City is in the back. Along both sides of the axis of the Imperial Harem stood Longhu Palace (Dragon-Tiger Palace), Chaobai Hall (the Pilgrimage Hall) and Xuandi Palace (the Palace of Revelation of Holy Spirit). Within the limits of the palace, there are more than 300 structures. It was the second Imperial Palace in the Ming Dynasty. But unfortunately Yuxu Palace was brought to ruins by a chaotic war in 1745. Now you can still see some of the structures, such as the wall shaped like the character 八,the pavilions housing stone tablets, the Worship Platform, the Flower Terrace, Jade-belt River and wells and ponds.
During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, the emperor ordered the construction of Forbidden City in Beijing of north and the large scale of construction project in Mount Wudang of south. There were altogether three layers of wall erected to surround the center and hundreds of buildings clustered there. The Yuxu Palace covers an area of 5.25 million sqm and has altogether 2200 houses. This palace was a base camp when building the Wudang Mountain, so people usually call it as "Old Camp Palace". At that time, 2200 temples and palaces were built all together. In 1627 A.C. the Yuxu Palace caught fire and the main buildings collapsed. The palace was built in 1412 during the Ming Dynasty. It was the largest architectural complex among the Taoist constructions on Wudang Mountain. The layout is similar to that of the Imperial Palace in Beijing. Restricted by the topographical conditions, the palace faces north. Other imperial palaces in China face south. Forbidden City is in the center of Yuxu Palace with six successive gates. Within the palace gates there is a 25,000 sqm courtyard paved with large slabs. In the courtyard stood two pavilions housing tablets on which the imperial edicts of Emperor Yongle were inscribed. Lile City is in the back. Along both sides of the axis of the Imperial Harem stood Longhu Palace (Dragon-Tiger Palace), Chaobai Hall (the Pilgrimage Hall) and Xuandi Palace (the Palace of Revelation of Holy Spirit). Within the limits of the palace, there are more than 300 structures. It was the second Imperial Palace in the Ming Dynasty. But unfortunately Yuxu Palace was brought to ruins by a chaotic war in 1745. Now you can still see some of the structures, such as the wall shaped like the character 八,the pavilions housing stone tablets, the Worship Platform, the Flower Terrace, Jade-belt River and wells and ponds.
Yuan He Temple
Wudang Museum
Food
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