Ancient Wudang Mountain

Ancient Wudang Mountain

Ancient Wudang Mountain is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

In Wu'an of the Eastern Taihang Mountains lies a renowned Taoist mountain that rivals Hubei's Wudang Mountain in fame. Legend has it that the True Martial Emperor, originally the Third Prince of the Jade Emperor, was banished to the mortal realm for violating heavenly laws. He was reborn as the son of one of Emperor Yang of Sui’s favorite consorts. As he grew up, discontented with Emperor Yang’s tyrannical rule, he wandered far and wide. Upon seeing this place with its beautiful mountains and clear waters, he abandoned his royal status to live here in seclusion and cultivate himself. The prince practiced here for 42 years before attaining enlightenment and ascending to heaven. He later went to Hubei’s Wudang Mountain to preach, which is why the northern Ancient Wudang Mountain is referred to as the elder brother and the southern Wudang Mountain as the younger brother—hence the sayings “elder brother in the north, younger brother in the south” and “cultivation in the north, preaching in the south.” Hubei’s Wudang Mountain was “officially built” during the Tang, Song, Yuan, and Ming dynasties, while Wu'an’s Ancient Wudang Mountain has been “built by the people” through renovations since the Sui Dynasty in the 6th century. There are currently 35 extant stone steles, all of which are historical inscriptions commemorating renovation merits. This attests to the long history of Ancient Wudang Mountain.

The main peak of Ancient Wudang Mountain stands at an elevation of 1,437.7 meters and is called Beiding Lao ye Ding (Old Lord Peak). About 0.5 kilometers south of the main peak is another peak, 1,420 meters above sea level, known as Nainai Ding (Grandmother Peak). The two peaks face each other and soar straight into the sky. To the south are Turtle Mountain and Snake Mountain, and directly east lies Incense Burner Mountain. The mountaintop is dotted with ancient structures. The main peak hosts the Temple of the True Martial Emperor, consisting of upper, middle, and lower halls along with side chambers. The southern peak features buildings such as the Bodhisattva Hall and Bixia Palace. Other notable sites include the “Grinding Needle Gully,” where the Goddess Bixia helped the prince endure his ascetic training; the “South Cliff Palace,” where the prince practiced in austerity; the True Martial Cultivation Cave (a natural karst cave); the “Fetus Shedding Rock,” where the prince shed his mortal body and ascended to Hubei to preach; and the “Long Snake Plain,” associated with the mortal form of the legendary Taoist Zhang Sanfeng. The ancient and picturesque landscape, coupled with these mystical and time-honored legends, further enhances the mystique of Ancient Wudang Mountain.