Wudang Mountains
A sacred Taoist mountain and the birthplace of Wudang martial arts, where the Golden Summit's bronze hall, Zixiao Palace and Nanyan Palace cling to the slopes — the building complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Wudang Mountains lie within Danjiangkou, Shiyan, Hubei Province, and are managed by the Wudangshan Tourism Economic Special Zone. The main peak, Tianzhu Peak, rises to about 1,612 m. Wudang is a renowned Taoist mountain and the birthplace of Wudang martial arts. The Ming Yongle Emperor (Zhu Di) undertook a massive building programme here, creating an imperial Taoist complex of "nine palaces and eight temples", and the Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
A visit divides into the mountain and the foothills. On the mountain, the sightseeing bus route passes, in order, Mozhen Well, Prince's Slope (Fuzhen Temple), Xiaoyao Valley, Zixiao Palace, Nanyan Palace and Wuya Ridge. From Wuya Ridge you can hike the ancient pilgrims' path via Langmei Shrine and Chaotian Palace up to the Golden Summit, or take the cable car from Qiongtai straight to the summit to see the Golden Hall and the sunrise. At the foot of the mountain, the special zone town (Laoying) has Yuxu Palace, Yuzhen Palace, Xuanyue Gate and Yuanhe Temple, and deep in a valley on the north side lie the ruins of Wulong Palace. About 40 km northeast is the Danjiangkou Reservoir, where you can cruise Canglang Sea, see the dam and enjoy a Danjiangkou fish feast.
The weather is best in April–May and September–November; in winter, the sea of clouds around the snow-dusted Golden Summit is spectacular, though mountain roads may close. Getting there: take a high-speed train to Wudangshan West Station, or arrive via Shiyan Wudangshan Airport or Wudangshan Station. The special zone town has plenty of accommodation, and there are also guesthouses on the mountain near Nanyan, Wuya Ridge and the Golden Summit for catching the sunrise. Entrance and sightseeing bus tickets must be bought at the visitor centre; some palaces, temples and the cable car charge extra. Allow 2 days: one for the main mountain route, one for sunrise at the Golden Summit plus the historic sites at the foot of the mountain. You can try tai chi and kung fu classes — choose a licensed martial arts school. Check official announcements for tickets and opening hours.
Top sights
- Golden Summit & Taihe Palace – The gilded bronze Ming-era Golden Hall at the summit of Tianzhu Peak, the main peak of Wudang, together with Taihe Palace and the Purple Go…
- Zixiao Palace – A Ming-era imperial Taoist temple set against Zhanqi Peak. Its Zixiao Hall, with double eaves and red walls, makes it one of the most compl…
- Nanyan Palace – A Taoist temple built on a sheer cliff. The stone hall of Tianyi Zhenqing Palace and the “Dragon Head Incense,” a stone beam jutting out ov…
- Taizi Slope (Fuzhen Temple) – Fuzhen Temple, built on a steep slope. Its Nine-Bend Yellow River Wall, one-pillar twelve-beam hall, and five-story building are classic ex…
- Yuxu Palace – The largest Ming-era palace complex in Wudang. Its grand walls and imperial stele pavilions show the imperial grandeur of the Forbidden Cit…
- Qiongtai & Jinding Cableway – The transfer point at the lower station of the Jinding Cableway. Qiongtai Middle Temple is quiet and peaceful, and the cableway takes just…
- Yuzhen Palace – A palace imperially commissioned in the Ming dynasty to honor Zhang Sanfeng. When the Danjiangkou Dam was raised, the whole complex was lif…
- Wulong Palace – The site of Wudang's earliest imperial shrine, tucked away in a valley. Its surviving palace walls and restored halls are simple and quiet…
- Xiaoyao Valley – A tranquil valley laced with streams, home to wild monkeys, and often hosting Wudang tai chi demonstrations. It is Wudang's most relaxed si…
- Langmei Temple – A Taoist temple on the Ancient Pilgrim Path from Wuya Ridge to Jinding, famous for the Zhenwu legend of the plum branch and the ancient lan…
- Chaotian Palace & Ancient Pilgrim Path – The ancient pilgrim stone-stair route from Wuya Ridge past Langmei Temple and Chaotian Palace, climbing through the First, Second, and Thir…
- Mozhen Well (Chunyang Palace) – The site of the tale of grinding an iron pestle into a needle. Two giant iron pestles stand in the courtyard, retelling the story of Zhenwu…
- Xuanyue Gate & Yuanhe Temple – The “Xuanyue Governs the Age” stone archway built in the Ming Jiajing reign, the first gate of Wudang Mountain. The nearby Yuanhe Temple wa…
- Danjiangkou Reservoir (Canglanghai) – The water source of the South-North Water Diversion Middle Route. Canglang Lake spreads wide with clear water. Take a boat tour to see the…
Where to eat
- Laoweidao 1992 (Wudangshan Branch) – A well-reviewed local eatery in Wudangshan Town, known for Danjiang River fish and wild mountain vegetables, with gener…
- Yugeng Xiaochu Farmhouse (Wudangshan Branch) – A farmhouse courtyard restaurant on Tongshen Avenue serving firewood-cooked rice with Danjiang River fish. Diners can c…
- Feng Xiaoguan Tujia Cuisine (Wudangshan Branch) – A Tujia restaurant in a family courtyard in Yuanhe Guan Village, known for wild mountain vegetables and pan-fried white…
Itineraries
- Wuhan, Three Gorges, Xiangyang & Wudang High-Speed Rail – A high-speed rail journey connecting the River City, the Three Gorges Dam, Xiangyang Ancient City, and Mount Wudang—the…
- Western Hubei Panoramic In-Depth Self-Drive – A long-distance road trip heading west from the Jianghan Plain, traversing the Three Gorges, Enshi, Shennongjia, and Mo…
- Shennongjia & Mount Wudang Double Heritage 6-Day Traverse – Enter the mountains from Yichang, traverse Shennongjia to Mount Wudang, transitioning from forests and wetlands to anci…