The Wudang Mountains () are a mountain range in the northwestern part of Hubei, China. They are home to a famous complex of Taoist temples and monasteries associated with the Lord of the North, Xuantian Shangdi. The Wudang Mountains are renowned for the practice of tai chi and Taoism as the Taoist counterpart to the Shaolin Monastery, which is affiliated with Chan Buddhism. The Wudang Mountains are one of the "Four Sacred Mountains of Taoism" in China, an important destination for Taoist pilgrimages. The monasteries such as the Wudang Garden

Modern maps show the elevation of the highest of the peaks in the Wudang Shan "proper" as 1612 meters; which is a major mountain system in western Hubei, Shaanxi, Chongqing and Sichuan.

History

For centuries, the mountains of Wudang have been known as an important center of Taoism, especially famous for its Taoist versions of martial arts or tai chi.

The first sacred site—the Five Dragons Temple—was constructed at the behest of Emperor Taizong of Tang. Further structures were added during the Song and Yuan dynasties, while the largest complex on the mountain was built during the Ming dynasty (14th–17th centuries) as the Yongle Emperor claimed to enjoy the protection of the god Beidi or Xuantian Shangdi. Today, 53 ancient buildings still survive. A fire broke out in the hall, reducing the three rooms that covered 200 square meters to ashes. A gold-plated statue of Zhang Sanfeng, which was usually housed in Yuzhengong, was moved to another building just before the fire, and so escaped destruction in the inferno.

Wudangquan has been partly reformed to fit the PRC sport and health promotion program. The third biannual Traditional Wushu Festival was held in the Wudang Mountains from October 28 to November 2, 2008.

See also

  • Xuantian Shangdi
  • Five Immortals Temple
  • Golden Hall
  • Purple Cloud Temple
  • Silk reeling
  • Daoyin
  • Zhang Sanfeng
  • Yang Luchan
  • Wudang School
  • Wudangquan

References

Bibliography

  • Pierre-Henry de Bruyn, Le Wudang Shan: Histoire des récits fondateurs, Paris, Les Indes savantes, 2010, 444 pp.
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites descriptions
  • Wudang Mountain Kung Fu Academy (Founded by the government)
  • International Wudang Federation (including training in Wudangshan)
  • Wudang Global Federation