Zhenwu Mountain Taoist Temple

Zhenwu Mountain Taoist Temple

Zhenwu Mountain Taoist Temple is located about 1 kilometer southwest of Xiangyang City and is known as the "Little Golden Summit" of northwestern Hubei. Traditionally, those making a pilgrimage to the Wudang Mountains in Hubei would first come to Zhenwu Mountain in Xiangyang to present a petition to the God Zhenwu, marking their official registration with the Great Zhenwu Deity. Those with the means and energy would continue on to the Tianzhu Peak of Wudang Mountain in Junzhou (now Danjiangkou City) to worship at the Golden Summit. Those without sufficient funds, energy, or who were ill could turn back here, which was also considered as having fulfilled the wish to pay homage to the Great Zhenwu Deity.

Before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the Zhenwu Temple was called Jianfeng Temple and enjoyed enduring popularity. In the tenth year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1412), Emperor Chengzu issued an edict to construct palaces and temples on Wudang Mountain. “Watercraft transporting Wudang Mountain’s glazed materials” numbered in the “tens of thousands,” anchoring in the Han River below Zhenwu Mountain. “At that time, when the winds and waves were just rising, auspicious clouds appeared frequently, blending sea and sky into one hue. All said it was the divine response of the Yuan Emperor (the Great Zhenwu Deity).” As a result, the “Zhenwu Temple” was built on the mountain. Later, the Zhenwu Hall, Goddess Hall, and Laojun Hall were reconstructed. Unfortunately, the temple was demolished during the Cultural Revolution. The temple seen today consists of structures rebuilt after 1994.

Transportation: Take bus route 28 and get off at Zhenwu Mountain Station.