China
Wudang Mountains
Wudang Mountains by Roman Bruehwiler
The Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains is renowned for its many Taoist monasteries and secular buildings which have had a profound influence on Chinese art and architecture.
This Taoist pilgrimage center includes palaces, monasteries, nunneries and temples in a picturesque setting. Most surviving buildings date from the 14th to 16th centuries when Taoism grew in importance due to the support of the emperors of the Ming Dynasty.
Community Perspective: Although the two early reviewers hint at corruption and other issues at the site, Juha found it one of the highlights of his China trip. The costs of a visit add up, with cable car rides and separate entrance fees per temple.
Site Info
Official Information
- Full Name
- Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (ID: 705)
- Country
- China
- Status
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Inscribed 1994
Site history
History of Wudang Mountains
- WHS Type
- Cultural
- Criteria
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- vi
Links
- UNESCO
- whc.unesco.org
All Links
UNESCO.org
- whc.unesco.org — whc.unesco.org/
Related Resources
- chinadaily.com.cn — Link
News Article
- Aug. 15, 2012 india.nydailynews.com — Yuzhen Palace will be raised 15 metres above ground to prevent its inundation
Community Information
- Community Category
- Religious structure: Indigenous
Travel Information
Recent Connections
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Yangtze Basin
The Wudang mountains primarily feed the… -
Named after a Mountain
The Wudang Mountains are a mountain ran… -
Location for a classic movie
The Assassin (2015, released on DVD wit…
Connections of Wudang Mountains
- Geography
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Yangtze Basin
The Wudang mountains primarily feed the Yangtze
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- Architecture
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Gold Surfaces
Golden Peak Palace
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- Damaged
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Cultural sites damaged by fire since inscription
Yuzhengong Palace - Jan 2003 -
'Threatened' by Dams
Located on the edge of the Danjiangkou reservoir in the Wudang Mountains in Hubei province, the Yuzhen Palace would be submerged once the dam's height is increased
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- Religion and Belief
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Sacred Mountains
Taoist -
Fortified religious buildings
the upper complex is protected by high wall similar to the Beijing's Forbidden City -
Taoism
Taoist monasteries
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- Constructions
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Suspended cable cars
Cable car to the Golden Summit -
Cultural sites connected to Cliffs
72 cliff temples
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- WHS on Other Lists
- Timeline
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Built in the 14th century
There are a few structures from the Tang dynasty, however, the site as a organized complex developed in the Ming dynasty. "Situated in the scenic valleys and on the slopes of the Wudang mountains in Hubei Province, the site, which was built as an organized complex during the Ming dynasty (14th-17th centuries), contains Taoist buildings from as early as the 7th century." - Nomination File
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- WHS Names
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Named after a Mountain
The Wudang Mountains are a mountain range in the northwestern part of Hubei.
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- 18
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Location for a classic movie
The Assassin (2015, released on DVD without cinematic release)See en.wikipedia.org
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News
- india.nydailynews.com 08/15/2012
- Yuzhen Palace will be raised 15 me…
Recent Visitors
Reserved for members.Community Reviews
Show full reviews
Site visited April 2017. Wudang Mountains was one of the biggest highlights of my first trip to China which covered eight World Heritage Sites. This site offered vast area of stunning mountain landscapes, numerous beautiful temples and palaces and nice hiking routes.
I travelled to the city of Wudangshan from Xi'an by train which took eight hours. It would also be possible to take a bus from Xi’an to the city of Shiyan from where you must take a connecting local bus to Wudangshan. From Wudangshan railway station it is seven kilometres to the centre of the city where majority of the hotels are located. I stayed overnight in youth hostel and started my visit to the mountains early in the morning. I spent the whole day wandering around the mountains by foot, bus and cable car.
Like mentioned in the earlier review, visiting Wudang Mountains is expensive. You can spend 50 euros just for tickets. General ticket is 240 RMB. That includes entry to the majority of the temples, a leaflet with the map and limitless use of shuttle buses that circulate regularly around the mountains. If you want to go to the Tianzhu Peak by cable car it is 90 RMB one way and a little less than double price for round trip. The top of the mountain and The Purple Heaven Palace cost each extra 17 RMB.
My route went upward via eastern way and downward via western way. At first I went by bus to Prince …
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Wudangshan is an amazing place. I know it is a sacred site for Taoism. The only thing that concerns was the fact that some of the priests ask money before they allow the worshippers to pray. Watching the sunrise at the mountaintop is the best experience of all.
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Having spent several months on site, I was amazed by the site itself, but sincerely dissappointed with administartion. Forced relocations, haphazard local implementation of UNESCO policy, pervasive corruption, commodification of culture, locals barred from access due to exorbitantly high ticket fees. Human rights is certianly not a priority as anyone who gives voice to these concerns is threaten with arrest or worse. I do hope for change.
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