Zhenwu Mountain

Zhenwu Mountain

The Zhenwu Mountain Taoist Temple is located about 1 kilometer southwest of Xiangyang City and is known as the “Little Golden Summit” of northwestern Hubei. According to traditional customs, when visiting the Wudang Mountains in Hubei, one must first come to Zhenwu Mountain in Xiangyang to submit a petition to the God Zhenwu, marking an official visit to the Great Zhenwu. Those with the means and energy continue on to the Tianzhu Peak of Wudang Mountain in Junzhou (now Danjiangkou City) to worship at the Golden Summit. Those who lack the financial resources, energy, or are unwell may turn back here, which is also considered as having fulfilled the wish to pay homage to the Great Zhenwu.

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. “Tens of thousands” of boats transporting “Wudang Mountain glazed materials” were anchored in the Han River below Zhenwu Mountain. “At that time, when violent winds and waves arose, auspicious clouds suddenly appeared, blending the water and sky into one color. All believed it to be a manifestation of the Yuan Emperor (the Great Zhenwu).” As a result, the Zhenwu Temple was built on the mountain. Later, the Zhenwu Hall, the Goddess Hall, the Laojun Hall, and other halls were reconstructed. Unfortunately, the temple was demolished during the Cultural Revolution. The current structures date from rebuilding efforts after 1994.

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. Tens of thousands of small boats loaded with “Wudang Mountain glazed materials” were moored along the Han River near Tortoise Mountain in Xiangyang. “At that time, when violent winds and waves arose, auspicious lights suddenly appeared, blending the water and sky into one color — what is called a manifestation of the Yuan Emperor (the Great Zhenwu).” Thus, the Zhenwu Temple was built on the mountain, and Tortoise Mountain was subsequently renamed Zhenwu Mountain.

Zhenwu Mountain is located about two kilometers southwest of Xiangyang City, with an elevation of 162 meters and covering an area of approximately 400 acres. It neighbors Pipa Mountain to the west, faces Yanghu Mountain to the east, and connects to Hutou Mountain to the south.

Historical records indicate that Zhenwu Mountain was originally called Tortoise Mountain. After the construction of the Eight Palaces of Wudang Mountain during the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Jiugong Mountain (“Nine Palaces Mountain”). “During the Xuande era of the Ming Dynasty, a local man named Xiao Xu built a Zhenwu Temple on the mountain,” which led to its subsequent renaming as Zhenwu Mountain, a name that has been used ever since.

Zhenwu Mountain borders farmland to the north, and is surrounded by mountains on the other three sides. It lies relatively close to Xiangyang City to the northeast. The ancient Tanshui Stream marks its northwest boundary, while the Xiangshui River flows slowly eastward along the northern foot of the mountain, with the Han River encircling it — offering a sweeping view of both Xiangyang and Fancheng cities when looking out from the mountaintop.

The Zhenwu Temple on Zhenwu Mountain is known as the “Little Golden Summit” of northwestern Hubei. According to traditional customs, those paying homage to Wudang Mountain in Hubei must first visit Zhenwu Mountain in Xiangyang to submit a petition to the Great Zhenwu, marking an official visit.

Before the Song and Yuan dynasties, the Zhenwu Temple was called Jianfeng Temple and maintained a constant flow of worshippers. In the tenth year of the Yongle era of the Ming Dynasty (1412), Emperor Chengzu issued an edict to build the Wudang Mountain temples, during which the Zhenwu Taoist Temple was constructed. Historically, the Zhenwu Temple was the first in the series of Wudang-related temples, and it was the largest in scale among Wudang’s temples, enjoying fame both domestically and abroad. Due to its proximity to the Han River and its location along the main travel route connecting Hubei, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hunan, and Guangxi, the temple was highly accessible and thus attracted many pilgrims. At its peak, the temple complex had over 350 halls and rooms, and nearly 100 Taoist priests. Later, most of the halls were destroyed in wars. In 1962, the Zhenwu Temple was completely demolished. In 1963, Zhenwu Mountain was turned into a quarry, causing damage to the mountain itself. During the Cultural Revolution, the remaining Ancestral Master Hall, Sacred Lord and Lady Hall, and Goddess Hall were demolished as part of the campaign against the “Four Olds.”

In 1994, the Xiangfan Municipal Government designated Zhenwu Mountain as a site for Taoist activities.

In 2005, nine new Taoist temple halls, 33 living quarters, and 14 newly sculpted deities were added on Zhenwu Mountain. Subsequently, a stone memorial archway for the Zhenwu Mountain Taoist Temple and over a hundred steps leading up the mountain were constructed at the mountain’s base.