The Wudang Mountain
also known as Wu Tang Shan or simply Wudang, are a small mountain range in the Hubei province of China. In years past, the mountains of  Wudang were known for the many Taoist monasteries to be found there, monasteries which became known as an academic centre for the research, teaching and practise of meditation, Chinese martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, Taoist agriculture practises and related arts. As early as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25–220 AD), the mountain attracted the Emperor's attention.

During the Tang Dynasty (618–907), the first site of worship—the Five Dragon Temple—was constructed. The monasteries were emptied, damaged and then neglected during and after the Cultural Revolution of 1966–1976, but the Wudang mountains have lately become increasingly popular with tourists from elsewhere in China and abroad due to their scenic location and historical interest. The monasteries and buildings were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.

The palaces and temples in Wudang, which was built as an organized complex during the Ming Dynasty (14th–17th centuries), contains Taoist buildings from as early as the 7th century. It represents the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years. Noted temples include the Golden Hall, Nanyan Temple and the Purple Cloud Temple. In 2003, Wudang Mountain's 600-year-old Yuzhen Palace was accidentally burned down by an employee of a martial arts school.

Wudang Mountain is both a famous scenic spot and the Taoist Holy Land in China. The ancient architectural complex on the mountain was listed by UNESCO in 1994 as a World Culture Heritage Site. The natural scenery of Wudang Mountain is powerful and magnificent, tinged with some fantastically serene and charming touches. Major scenic spots include 72 peaks, 36 rocky cliffs, and 24 streams.

Tianzhu Peak, its highest point, creates a striking view of "One Pole Supporting the Sky." Clustered around it are numerous smaller ones, composing a fantastic picture of 72 peaks paying homage to the main one. Wudang Mountain is renowned as Immortals' Mountain of Taoism and the World for Swordsman. It is a famous Taoist center in China with a long history of Taoist practice and a profound Taoist culture.

Wudang Mountain is also well-known for its deep-rooted tradition of wushu (martial arts). As an old saying goes: "Shaolin wushu is the best in the north, while Wudang wushu is the best in the south." Wudang's ancient architectural complex consists of eight palaces, two Taoist temples, 72 rock temples, 12 pavilions and 10 shrines.

Large in scale and excellent in technical detail, it is a powerful demonstration of the harmony between architecture and nature. Inspired by the fairyland picture of the perfect blending of buildings and mountains, Wudang architectural complex is known as the Imperial Palace on the Cliff. Fu ,Wudang Gong Fu also called Wudang Martial Arts originated from Wudang Mountain,the holy taoist mountain in China.

Wudang Kung Fu is internal taoist martial arts,different from shaolin gong fu which is external martial arts. We say wudang kung fu is internal because it was trained and handed down by ancient taoists.According to the tradition wudang wushu is esoteric.

Wudang kungfu follows the theories of taoism.Taoist train kung fu for the purpose of healthpreserving,selfdefence and pursuit of longevity.The founder of wudang kung fu is Zhang Sanfeng,a taoist in Yuan Danasty who discovered the laws of nature and created  internal boxing.The premitive form of wudang kung fu is 13-style Tai Ji Quan.Main kinds of wudang kung fu:Wudang Tai Ji,Wudang Bagua,Xing Yi,Wuji,Liangyi,Baji,Five Elements,Tai Ji Sword,Horsetail Whisk,Spade,Fan,Club,Hard Qigong,Five-animal Qigong,Seven-star Vital Qigong and so on.

Wudang Gongfu, the crystal of Wudang Taoism in the process of exploring life sciences, takes as its principle keeping healthy and prolonging the lifespan. It is characterized by defeating a tough rival through a soft approach and winning by striking only after the enemy has struck. As the saying goes, 'Shaolin Wushu in the north is powerful, while in the south is Wudang Gongfu', Wudang Gongfu, as one of the important schools of Chinese  Martial Arts, is famous all over the world  

takes as its principle keeping healthy and prolonging the lifespan. It is characterized by defeating a tough rival through a soft approach and winning by striking only after the enemy has struck. As the saying goes, 'Shaolin Wushu in the north is powerful, while in the south is Wudang Gongfu', Wudang Gongfu, as one of the important schools of Chinese Martial Arts, is famous all over the world.  

Shanxi Province is endowed with an abundance of cultural sites from its long history. Most of the ancient structures were built before the Liao and Song Dynasties over a thousand years ago. So it is the reason why Shanxi is often called the 'Chinese Ancient Architecture Museum'. The more obvious of these include: the Buddhist wonder of the Yungang Grottoes in Datong City, the Ancient City of Pingyao which was listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997, the oldest and tallest ancient wooden pagoda in China, the Wooden Pagoda of Yingxian County and the remote Shuanglin Temple and Jinci Temple, which are well worth the long journeys for the visitors.

Of course, there are a number of natural magnificent and beautiful places that can also be seen in Shanxi. The most famous of them include Wutai Mountain with the longest and most prestigious history in the four most well-known Buddhist holy lands of China, the whistling rage of the Yellow River's Kettle Spout waterfalls (Hukou Waterfalls) and one of the Five Sacred Mountains in China - Mt. Hengshan.

Pingyao Old Town was included in the United Nations World Cultural Heritage in 1997. From the top of the grand City Wall, you have a bird's-eye view of the Old City, a complete city built almost a thousand years ago. In the Ancient Ming and Qing Street, you can experience the town's former glory while exploring the rows of residences and shops all constructed in the original architectural style.

Pingyao has a great number of hotels in its not very large old city area. Many of the hotels are delicately constructed and decorated in a Ming and Qing style, comfortable and easy for tourists to appreciate the authentic flavor of old Pingyao. Yide Hotel is highly recommended when staying in Pingyao. It is situated in a quiet little alley just a few minutes' walk from Nan Dajie, the main street of Pingyao Ancient City. It is a beautifully renovated courtyard house built in 1736 by a wealthy merchant during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. All rooms in Yide Hotel are well equipped with air conditioners, bathrooms and large kang-style beds. Besides Yide, Yunjincheng Hotel and Yuantiankui Hotel are also good choices.

  Yangtze River is the largest river in China and the third largest in the world after the Nile in Africa and the Amazon in South America. Originating from the Tanggula Range in Qinghai Province in western China, the Yangtze River traverses eleven provinces and cities from west to east, including Qinghai, Tibet, Sichuan, Yunnan, Chongqing, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui, Jiangsu and Shanghai. Finally it pours into the East China Sea at Shanghai.

Acting as the largest water system in China, Yangtze River is historically, economically and　culturally important to the country. Yangtze has numerous tributaries including Min River, Han River, Jialing River, Gan River and Huangpu River etc. The Three Gorges Dam on the river is the largest dam project and hydro-electric power station in the world. Generally, people consider the Yangtze River a dividing line between North China and South China. Areas to the north and the south of the river have many differences in climate, scenery, economics, culture and folk customs.

A Yangtze River Cruise is the thrill of a lifetime. Tourists enjoy the stunning scenery of the Yangtze Three Gorges while exploring the ancient cultural sites along the river. Eager to feel the pulse of the vast land of China through a Yangtze River cruise? TravelChinaGuide offers a wide selection of well-designed Yangtze cruise plans for you, including the arrangements for cruise ships, excursions, hotel and meals.