China (Wudangshan, Hubei) Sept 2010 D-20 & D-21

Map of Wudangshan, Hubei, China

Hostel: family owned hostel in Wudangshan town - CNY45 (std room for 2) + CNY30 (1/2 day room rate)
Train: Wuchang > Wudangshan - CNY39
Entrance fee (50% discount): CNY70+35 (internal bus) +CNY20 (Golden Hall)
Taxi & bus: CNY30
Food & groceries: CNY47
Total expenses incurred: CNY316

I took a night train from Wuchang to Wudangshan and it was early morning when I arrived at the Wudangshan train station. On arrival, I took a taxi (CNY15) together with a young local student to the town centre. At the recommendation of the taxi driver, both of us checked into a family owned hostel and shared a room of CNY45 each.

After taking the breakfast, both of us walked to the Mt Wudangshan's entrance gate. The admission fee was CNY70 plus internal minivan fee of CNY35 (a 50% rebate for senior citizen)

As the cable system in Mt Wudangshan was under repair at the time of my visit, I had to use my entire energy to slowly made my way to the summit and descend, a total distance of 6km for the two way journey - very strenuous and tiresome by the time I descended down hill to the car park lot, and the entire trip took 6-7 hours.

I had a great view of the Golden Hall (CNY20 entrance fee) on the Tianzhu Peak although it was misty and cloudy at the peak. I also visited 2-3 Taoist Temples as we made our ascend to the top.

Of the five mountains I had visited so far in China, Wudangshan was the most challenging and adventurous one but it was well worth the efforts !

Mt Wudangshan, Hubei

Ascending the Tianzhu peak - if you have a frail body or too tired, you may seek the services of local porters (paying CNY200-300 per trip) who could carry your way up to a higher ground by using a bamboo chair - a great experience and relief for the handicaps.

Taoist Temples in Wudangshan & Golden Hall on the Tianzhu Peak (1612m high)

" If you enjoyed seeing or reading the traditional Chinese martial art or sword fighting movies or novels, then you probably heard of Shaolin, Wudang & Emei martial art, kung fu or wushu. The grand master of Wudang is Zhang San Feng, a monk from Shaolin Temple. Master Zhang disliked the hard techniques of the Shaolin style so he invented the softer style of taijiquan or taichi in the late 14th century. I am glad that I had visited Shaolin Temple and Wudangshan and hope to set foot on Mt Emei when I visit Chengdu again in the near future.

The Secrets of Life : Don't let a little dispute injures a great relationship "