The Wudang Mountains, a flourishing center of Taoism, are home to many ancient architectural complexes and are registered as a World Heritage Site. For many years, they received imperial support and served as imperial temples, making them a World Heritage Site where visitors can enjoy many examples of architectural artistry.
Religious architecture like that of Taoism is typically located deep in the mountains. As such, Wudang is also known as a place for martial arts training. Let us now introduce the Wudang Mountains — a World Heritage Site filled with highlights!
What Are the Ancient Building Complexes of the Wudang Mountains?
The ancient architectural complexes of Wudang were first built during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty and reached their peak prosperity during the Ming Dynasty. Successive emperors gave Wudang Mountains generous protection and carried out restorations. During the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, it was even said, “Build the Forbidden City in the north and cultivate oneself in Wudang in the south.”
Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty employed a total of several million soldiers and civilians, with up to 300,000 working per day, over a span of 12 years to construct eight palaces, 72 temples, 39 bridges, and a total of 33 other structures, with further expansions during the Jiajing period. The entire complex was built in strict adherence to the story of “Zhenwu Cultivating Immortality,” following the architectural standards of the Forbidden City and arranged according to the layout of “a shrine every five li, a palace every ten li.”
Name: Ancient Building Complexes of the Wudang Mountains
Address: Shiyan City, Hubei Province
Official / Related Website URL: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/705/
Access to the Ancient Building Complexes of the Wudang Mountains
The nearest airport is Hubei Wudangshan Airport, and the nearest station is Wudangshanxi Station. It’s best to join a local tour and travel by car. A schedule of at least two days is recommended, but if visiting for a day trip, you can take the cable car to Qiongtai and tour the Golden Summit.
After that, travel by car to Prince Slope, Nanyan Palace, and Zixiao Palace, then descend the mountain, enjoy some shopping at the Wudang Mountain Shopping Plaza, and head home.
Recommended Highlights of the Ancient Building Complexes of the Wudang Mountains
Golden Hall (Jindian)
The Golden Hall of Wudang Mountains is designated as a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit in China. It is a copper palace-style structure from the Ming Dynasty located atop Tianzhu Peak in Wudang. It covers an area of about 160 square meters, with a width and depth of about three bays and a height of 5.5 meters.
There are 12 columns on all four sides, with arched supports above them holding up the roof. Between the columns are four decorated walls with doors. The carvings on the ceiling are exquisite, with smooth curves.
The floor is paved with marble, and the roof is distinctive. In front of the altar is a seated statue of the Great Emperor Zhenwu, flanked on the left by “Golden Boy Holding a Book” and on the right by “Jade Maiden Presenting Treasure.” The two figures represent “fire” and “water” and serve as guardian deities.
Below the altar is a statue of Xuanwu combined with Jinwan. The Golden Hall, a World Heritage Site, showcases the high level of Chinese casting craftsmanship. Wudang Mountains can truly be said to be a World Heritage Site blessed with great imperial patronage throughout history.
Main Hall of the Fuzhen Temple
The Main Hall of Fuzhen Temple, also known as the “Patriarch Hall,” is the central building of the Fuzhen Temple sacred area in Wudang. It is located one level higher than the Nine-Curve Yellow River Wall, the Screen Wall, the Dragon and Tiger Hall, and the Second Courtyard, giving visitors a sense of grandeur.
The Main Hall of Fuzhen Temple was built in the 10th year of the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty and expanded during the Jiajing period. It suffered severe damage at the end of the Ming but was restored in the 25th year of the Kangxi period in the Qing Dynasty. Although local officials and believers contributed to the restoration, it was difficult to maintain the same court-level architectural techniques as before.
Nevertheless, the increase in civilian architecture has allowed the Main Hall of Fuzhen Temple to pass down the architectural techniques of the Ming and Qing Dynasties to the present day. It is moving to think that this World Heritage Site could only be preserved through the support of people devoted to Wudang.
Main Hall of the Zixiao Palace
The Main Hall of Zixiao Palace in Wudang is located on Zhanqi Peak in the southeast of the mountains. It was built during the Xuanhe period of the Northern Song Dynasty, rebuilt in the 11th year of the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty, and expanded in the 31st year of the Jiajing period. From the 8th to the 25th year of the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty, large-scale repairs were carried out, making Zixiao Palace one of the largest structures among the eight main halls of Wudang.
It is also one of the best-preserved Taoist buildings. Currently, 29 structures remain, with a total building area of 6,854 square meters. On its terraced foundation, the Dragon and Tiger Hall, Stele Pavilion, Shifang Hall, Zixiao Main Hall, and Shengwenmu Hall are built in a straight line.
The buildings on both sides are divided into three sections, clearly distinct in scale and shape from the main building. The palace interior is in a siheyuan (courtyard) style, serving as a residence for Taoist priests. It’s a perfect World Heritage Site to experience the atmosphere of Taoism!
◎ Summary
We have introduced the main structures of the Golden Hall, the Main Hall of Fuzhen Temple, and the Main Hall of Zixiao Palace — did this spark your interest in Taoist architecture? The Wudang Mountains’ World Heritage Site has been repeatedly repaired since ancient times and supported by deep local faith and donations.
While many World Heritage Sites in China have been destroyed in wartime, Wudang has been preserved in relatively good condition. Be sure to fully enjoy the World Heritage treasures of Wudang when you visit!