Wudang Shan's legendary martial arts have inspired numerous kung-fu filmmakers and hip-hop mastermind RZA of the Wutang Clan—not to mention many centuries of Chinese poets, artists and wushu practitioners. And though the Wudang legend is better known today than is the actual mountain range, that's slowly changing.

A former retreat of emperors, training ground for monks and refuge of rebels and bandits, Wudang Shan's 72 pinnacles, studded with Taoist temples just as they have been since the the Tang Dynasty, are becoming increasingly popular with hikers, cultural tourists and, of course, martial arts enthusiasts.  

Best known for its martial arts, which command at least as much respect as those of Henan’s Shaolin Si, Wudang Shan's monks teach martial arts to students from around the world interested in Wudang boxing, from which the internal form Taiqiquan is derived.

Those who don’t come to the mountain to learn kung fu will still appreciate the area’s considerable natural and historical endowments. The hike up to Tianzhu Peak, which hosts Zhenwu's shrine, is breathtaking, both literally and figuratively. The entire trail is paved with steps and dotted with bridges criss-crossing pretty rivulets. You'll come across several temples and stunning viewpoints offering increasingly majestic vantages over Wudang's many peaks on the way up too. 

Days can be spent exploring temples and fortresses perched on cliffs, in places like Nanyan Temple and the Purple Cloud Palace, where you can enjoy free tea tastings, observeTaoist ceremonies and take some stunning photographs. 

While in the area you'll also have the chance to haggle over swords and other kung fu memorabilia, see plenty of fauna and flora, take cable car rides, get your palms read by traditional Chinese hand doctors and get treated by the area’s renowned blind masseur.

History

Wudang’s contributions to the world of kung fu go beyond inspiring films like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and the scores of tales that make up China’s Wuxia genre of fiction. They begin with the immortal, spear-whiskered, Song-dynasty monk Zhang Sanfeng. The technique came to him in a moment of divine inspiration after watching a heated battle between a snake and magpie.

Zhang noted how the magpie’s stance and long beak should have given it an advantage over the reptile, but in the end, didn't. This revealed to him the nature of neijia, an internal force used to control “action” with “inaction.” The snake’s constant sinuous movements confounded the bird, allowing it to elude every strike. Exhausted, the magpie succumbed to the snake’s single, precisely-timed venomous bite.

Wudang’s kung fu would prove indispensable to its resident monks, who shared the mountains with vast numbers of outlaws over the centuries. One of these, Li Zicheng—a peasant soldier advocating the repeal of the grain tax—took advantage of the Chongzhen Emperor’s preoccupation with Manchu aggression to launch the attack that would end the Ming Dynasty. The rule of the “thunder king” wouldn’t last long. With the Great Wall undefended, the vast Manchu army would soon take over.

Much later, the Cultural Revolution of 1966-1976, with its emphasis on the destruction of religion and other “old culture,” was especially damaging to China’s martial arts traditions. Many great masters were executed, and many great traditions lost. During this period, Wudang’s monasteries were emptied, damaged and then neglected. However, Wudang’s temples where made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, since then tourism, and religion have once again begun to bloom.

Climate

Hubei’s climate is subtropical and subject to monsoons, however, the Wudang Mountains often have a capricious influence on the weather, and as such have earned the area a reputation for unpredictability. If you visit, be prepared for heat, rain or chill. You could experience them all in one day.

In Wudang Shan City, visitors coming off the train exit pretty much right in the heart of town. The Duolai Hotel, right there on Chezhan Road leading up to the train station, has rooms for 40RMB which are clean, air-conditioned and come with private bathrooms, the best deal in town. To find this cheap, cozy spot, simply walk directly down the street once you've exited the Wudang Shan City Train Station, you'll see it just down the block on the right hand side.

Once on the mountain, you'll find several areas with hotels. There are several near the Nanyan Temple. Prices vary considerably between peak and regular days (they can easily double) but generally speaking, you'll pay a little more than you want to for pretty spare rooms. The Nanyan Hotel's common rooms have two single beds, hot water showers, TV's and old squat-style toilets for 120RMB on regular days, but up to 240RMB on national holidays. You can get something a little more plush if you're willing to pay more, generally room rates max out at around 500RMB

Those heading for Tianzhu Peak will find three hotels, all of approximately the same quality as in those mentioned in the first two paragraphs, waiting for them at the base of the Golden Summit Cable Car Station.

Getting Around

Taxi

Getting around town is no problem, you're going to see plenty of tuk-tuk-like three-wheeled ma mu che offering lifts up to Wudang Shan's front gates (shan men kou). 2RMB for 1 person, 3RMB for 2.

The base rate for taxis is 6 RMB for the first three kilometers and then 1.2 RMB per additional kilometer.

Bus

There are many buses from Wudang Shan Town to Wudang Shan Mountain. They are authorized by the government and the drivers are usually experienced, so you can take the bus at ease.

The Green buses that take visitors around the Wudang Shan park area cost 10 RMB at the front gates and run frequently. They will pick you up from pretty much anywhere along the road within the park.

To and From Wudang Shan

Air

It's best to fly to Wuhan and then take the train or bus. Although there is an airport about 90 km from Wudang Shan Mountain, passenger flights are not in operation at present. Tourists may fly to Xiangfan Liuji Airport and then transfer a bus to Shiyan City and then another bus to Wudang Shan.

Train

Xiangfan-Chongqing Railway goes past the northern foot of Wudang Shan Mountain. Direct trains from Wuhan City to Wudang Shan are available. Tour train named "Wudang" running between Wuchang (one district of Wuhan) and Shiyan City has better service and facilities than other trains.

Bus

The bus is the quickest way to connect from Wuhan to Wudang Shan. From the Wuhan airport, buy a ticket for the shuttle into the city (15 RMB), the second stop will be the bus station at 170 Fa Zhang Da Dao. The bus to Wudang Shan (150 RMB) takes five hours to arrive, and you are dropped off on the Wudang Shan's main strip, close to Wudang Shan gates (shan men kou), uphill, and the city proper, downhill. 

If you take a bus arriving in Shiyan, 25 kilometers northwest of Wudang Shan City, there is freeway connecting Shiyan with Wudang Shan Town. Besides, the Wuhan-Shiyan Highway and National Highway 316 both go through Wudang Shan. Tour buses to Wudang Shan are also available in the major hotels and travel agencies in both Shiyan and Xiangfan.

 

Wudang's shopping scene is, as you'll see, totally dominated by kung-fu memorabilia. You'll see sword shops devouring real estate with the proclivity of locusts as soon you get into town, and you'll be seeing them practically everywhere apart from that. 

Surprisingly, swords up at the Nanyan Temple tourist center, where you'll find all the hotels, restaurants and vendor stalls, are actually cheaper than in town. There is an incredible range of quality, your basic sword can run you as cheap as 50-100RMB, but more ornate, or custom-made swords can run up into the thousands.

Down in Wudang Shan City, you will get better deals on tea than you'll find in Taizi Po, or Nanyan Temple, where they tempt you with free samples, but in the temples they'll also have some nice traditional Chinese scroll art, sculptures, tea sets and other curious. If you are in the city and taking kung fu lessons, you'll need the right attire. You can get a kung-fu habit tailor made to fit for pretty cheap, but it's worth the 300RMB to get it done using the best material.