Wudang Mountain is located in the northwest part of Hubei Province near Shiyan. According to tradition, it is the birthplace of Zhen Wu, who ascended to heaven after many years of meditation and is revered by Taoists as the "Great Emperor." Over time, this attracted many Taoists to come here for meditation. In the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty, the Wulong Taoist Temple was built in this mountain, followed by many other Taoist sacred buildings in the years that followed.
During the revolts of the 13th century, the structures were restored and expanded under the rule of Zhu Di. Over a period of twelve years starting in 1412, 300,000 workers and craftsmen completed a magnificent complex consisting of eight palaces, two Taoist temples, 36 nunneries, 72 caves, 39 bridges, and twelve pavilions. Much of this complex remains in its original state today and is considered a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture.
Wudang Mountain is also the birthplace of Wudang martial arts, specifically Taijiquan, founded by Zhang Sanfeng during the Northern Song Dynasty.
