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Located in the northwest of Hubei province, Wudangshan stretches 400 kilometres and
covers an area of more than 30 square kilometres. This mountainous area is best known as a
Taoist sanctuary. As early as the East Han Dynasty (25-220AD), the mountain attracted the
Emperor"s attention. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the first site of worship - the
Five Dragon Temple - was constructed. During the fifteenth century, the mountain reached
its religious climax. Ming Dynasty emperors sent 300,000 soldiers and craftsmen to build
as many as 160 temples, pavilions and other structures. As a national park, Wudangshan boasts an impressive landscape and flourishing plant
life. Li Shizhen, a Ming Dynasty pharmacologist, recorded more than 400 local
species of plants with medical value in his Materia Medica. The sacred mountain attracts
visitors not only for its beautiful scenery, but also for the mysterious Wudangshan style
of martial arts (wushu). The technique was developed by Zhang Sanfeng, a
famous Ming Taoist. Several Wushu schools can be found in the town at the foot of the
mountain. The highest Wudang summit is the 1612m Tianzhu Peak, a name that translates as
"Pillar Propping Up the Sky", or "Heavenly Pillar Peak". Noted temples
include the Golden Hall, Nanyan Temple and the Purple Cloud Temple. As the largest
existing Taoist complex, these temples serve as fine examples of ancient Chinese
architecture, and many of them house Taoist relics of high cultural and artistic value. |
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