Info on Wudang

[dre_doggX]

Does anybody know this. Some day I want to try. Its said to be the ancestor of all internal martial arts, (forerunner to Tai Chi and stuff). anyone know more about it?

[Crimson Phoenix]

wudang quan or wudang neijia quan is quite nice...give it a try, definitely...
Don't believe too much in Zhang San Feng and "Wudang is the ancestor of all internal styles" stuffs though :-)

[GeneChing]

..and some skillful warriors are starting to come down off that mountain.Wudang sources (http://store.yahoo.com/martialartsmart/wudangvideo.html)

[Shaolin Master]

It has gained alot more since the 'crouching tiger funny dragon' epic of Ang Lee. Changed alot since the years past I was there, alot more Masters appearing in the area, many young ones teaching anything and everything. Not to mention new styles being made up as well.

However there are some excellent Qigong teachers in the area and the feeling is wonderful. Cool(and COOOOld at the moment) atmosphere. China has an abundance of nice mountains.

BTW, the capital of Hubei, Wuhan is an excellent city and many martial arts teachers are also establishing themselves there.

However, try to find a specific system. Many people know 'Wudang' it is just like 'Shaolin' a name ....so make sure they are specific.

Cheers.

[TaiChiStorm]

A friend told me that it is possible (since one year or so) to train in th Wudang monastry as in Shaolin. I know in Shaolin there are only schools around the temple and that they are HELL expensive.
How is it in Wudang?

[Hebrew Hammer]

Lads,

I'm looking for some recommendations on Wudang...books, websites, youtube...etc. I'm did a base search and keep getting lots of martial tourist sites. I'm interested in Daoism and the Internal Martial side of things...I don't know much about it other than than its a Mountain Side martial arts school that was known for its swordsmanship...and focused on Xing Yi, Bagua, Tai Chi and Daoist thought. I'm also am pretty ignorant about those styles as well.

Were they monks like Shaolin? Is it one place or several places like Shaolin? Were they rivals? Why was it founded? What were the weapons they used? Did they practice a particular style of Tai Chi....yadda yadda yadda.

Any insight would be appreciated.

[bawang]

taichi, xingyi, and bagua did not come from wudang. many wudang schools teach it just to make money.

wudang has genuine sword and meditation tradition, but no bare hand fighting.


wudang shaolin rivalry started when some guy learned kung fu from shaolin temple, left because of politics, then talked trash about shaolin and made up his own style, attributing it to wudang.

[David Jamieson]

I often see it as shaolin redressed in many respects.

I think that what we see as "wudang" nowadays is mostly shaolin with some of the three internal arts worked in with it.

But yes, I understand they have Taoist meditations and a sword practice all their own.

I am not really aware of it being a long unbroken lineage or an organized system across borders or any of that.

But I do think it is heavily flavoured with shaolin kung fu.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Good to know...I didn't think they developed those martial arts there, just that they specialized in or taught them. So it is tourist trap...*******s.

From the pics I've seen, the place is gorgeous...I used to live in Tahoe for a couple of years...so always had an affinity for the mountains.

[bawang]

some guy who teaches here and went to wudang told me he paid 300 dollars an hour to learn qigong.

i learned the same thing from ymca. just giving you a heads up.




just to clear up any confusion, the correct terms for warrior monks, taoist or buddhist are monk soldiers. monk soldiers were famous for having unbreakable morale. where normal soldiers break and run when one third or half is dead, monk soldiers will fight to the last man. it has nothing to with fighting skill.

[wenshu]

Bing Shifu here in L.A. comes recommended. Maybe not good enough to charge you $300/hour. . .

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=809

[bawang]

never trust anyone that can do a deep cross leg stance. that means they have small balls. would you learn fighting from someone with small balls? other than tito ortiz?

[Hebrew Hammer]

some guy who teaches here and went to wudang told me he paid 300 dollars an hour to learn qigong.

i learned the same thing from ymca. just giving you a heads up.




just to clear up any confusion, the correct terms for warrior monks, taoist or buddhist are monk soldiers. monk soldiers were famous for having unbreakable morale. where normal soldiers break and run when one third or half is dead, monk soldiers will fight to the last man. it has nothing to with fighting skill.

LOL, well I'm not going anytime soon, if I did it would be as a tourist or for fun. I'm looking for start some internal style stuff here locally next month...I came across Bagua and Xing Yi, Wudang in my search of Tai Chi...just peaked my curiosity.

Thanks for the info Bawang.

Didn't Shaolin's Monk Soldiers study both Buddhist and Taoist thought? Or did certain schools teach one or the other? It would be very interesting to see Monk Soldiers fighting in mass formations...in the movies its usually just a one or a handful of them fighting together.

[wenshu]

never trust anyone that can do a deep cross leg stance. that means they have small balls. would you learn fighting from someone with small balls? other than tito ortiz?

Xie bu is easy when they hang below your knees.

[Hebrew Hammer]

Bing Shifu here in L.A. comes recommended. Maybe not good enough to charge you $300/hour. . .

http://www.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=809


I came across Bing Sifu's stuff on youtube I believe...trying to build a temple in Boulder Colorado? All the good schools in CA are in SF or LA ugh!

[Hebrew Hammer]

Xie bu is easy when they hang below your knees.

Bingo! My thoughts exactly...I hate when they drop in the toilet water...brrrr.

[bawang]

it makes you vulnerable to piranhas.

[bawang]

It would be very interesting to see Monk Soldiers fighting in mass formations...in the movies its usually just a one or a handful of them fighting together.

this is the only realistic depiction of battlefield fighting i have ever found
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26C758K4Fc0&feature=related

[MightyB]

I picked this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrtfH_VgGZ0) up for sh!ts and grins. I think it's kind've cool.

[GeneChing]

As for Wudang, we've put out a lot of research on the topic. There are three issues that focused on it specifically.

2002 September/October (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=235) focused on internal power & longevity.

2003 September/October (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=377) was dubbed a Tai Chi Special, and featured the first English interview with Zhong Yuan Long.

2009 March/April (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=803) was our Wudang Special (wenshu posted a link to that cover story above).

There's more in my book, Shaolin Trips (http://www.amazon.com/Shaolin-Trips-Gene-Ching/dp/1424308976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276188031&sr=1-1) (which makes a fine holiday gift, btw), as I discuss my detour into Wudang.

[MightyB]

Sokka vs his Master! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29SzduTgHBw&feature=related)

[Hebrew Hammer]

As for Wudang, we've put out a lot of research on the topic. There are three issues that focused on it specifically.

2002 September/October (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=235) focused on internal power & longevity.

2003 September/October (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=377) was dubbed a Tai Chi Special, and featured the first English interview with Zhong Yuan Long.

2009 March/April (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=803) was our Wudang Special (wenshu posted a link to that cover story above).

There's more in my book, Shaolin Trips (http://www.amazon.com/Shaolin-Trips-Gene-Ching/dp/1424308976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276188031&sr=1-1) (which makes a fine holiday gift, btw), as I discuss my detour into Wudang.

I wouldn't do that to my family members but I'll buy one for Kwanza if you autograph it for me...write something mystical yet inappropriate inside the cover...deal?

[GeneChing]

To receive a personally autographed edition of my book, you must contact Leslie and order through Tiger Claw retail (see Shaolin Trips (http://www.tigerclaw.com/shaolin-trips-by-gene-ching-martial-arts-c-302-p-1-pr-8451.html)). Leslie can be reached at 510-656-5100 X114.

And that my friends, is how Shaolin totally hijacks a Wudang thread. :cool:

[MightyB]

And that my friends, is how Shaolin totally hijacks a Wudang thread. :cool:

So which sect likes to get drunk and nakid in the belief that hedonism is the true path to spiritual enlightenment?

[Robinhood]

One of my old students just got back from 2 month at Wu Dang mountain temple, no internal training, but a lot of external training and drinking. Not a luxury stay either.

[Hebrew Hammer]

So which sect likes to get drunk and nakid in the belief that hedonism is the true path to spiritual enlightenment?

That would be those crazy Jews!!! Don't make me show you...and that my friends is how the HEBREWS hijack a Shaolin thread.

Get in, get out, and nobody gets hurt!

[MightyB]

That would be those crazy Jews!!! Don't make me show you...and that my friends is how the HEBREWS hijack a Shaolin thread.


Only if you're a Kabbalist.

Now Valhalla - that's the place to be. Wenches, Mead, Warriors all partying for all eternity. Well at least until Ragnarok. Then they battle the fierce frost giants in the epic end of all wars and ultimately go out in a blaze of glory.

and that's how the Vikings hijack a Hebrew thread.

[wenshu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0PpTPvbr-4

[Hebrew Hammer]

As for Wudang, we've put out a lot of research on the topic. There are three issues that focused on it specifically.

2002 September/October (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=235) focused on internal power & longevity.

2003 September/October (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=377) was dubbed a Tai Chi Special, and featured the first English interview with Zhong Yuan Long.

2009 March/April (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=803) was our Wudang Special (wenshu posted a link to that cover story above).

There's more in my book, Shaolin Trips (http://www.amazon.com/Shaolin-Trips-Gene-Ching/dp/1424308976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276188031&sr=1-1) (which makes a fine holiday gift, btw), as I discuss my detour into Wudang.

Thanks for the articles Gene, I'm actually more interested in Wudang and Taoism now...lots of questions...something for me to seek. Next up Tai Chi lessons..

[David Jamieson]

Sokka vs his Master! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29SzduTgHBw&feature=related)

I think it's hilarious how much they make the character actually look like Kisu (Lokhopkuen), who it, well, actually is.

[GeneChing]

Thanks for the articles Gene, I'm actually more interested in Wudang and Taoism now...lots of questions...something for me to seek. Next up Tai Chi lessons..

There's actually a ton of research to be done in Wudang. We've only just begun to scratch the surface. I was only there once and have pretty much published everything I gleaned from that short visit already in the aforementioned mags (and book - don't forget the book (http://www.amazon.com/Shaolin-Trips-Gene-Ching/dp/1424308976/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276188031&sr=1-1)!) There's some Wudang disciples here in America now, and I've been tapping them to provide more. I would love to do another Wudang special, but frankly, that previous one delivered only a mediocre performance on the newsstands and it was a lot of work to put together. I think it was premature. Despite CTHD (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=57881) and the Wu-Tang Clan (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=49338), Wudang is only marginally understood here in the states. I don't think the tai chi theme park (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1143910#post1143910) will help much.

And that my friends, is how a thread is put back OT. :cool:

[Hebrew Hammer]

Here is a CCTV three part show on Wudang Kung Fu...for those of you playing at home.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i389fw9JKSY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&list=ULi389fw9JKSY&v=boK4OP_-Pfg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnA-7amndlw&feature=related

[Lokhopkuen]

I love the mountain.

[GeneChing]

So what did they think of your light saber?

[Lokhopkuen]

I don't own one but I'm certain to get the tiger claw hook up as per usual?
I'll take doubles in the master kit complete with DVD;)

[Hebrew Hammer]

I love the mountain.

Care to expand on that...?

[Ben Gash]

The mountain is spectacularly beautiful, a true natural wonder. When I trained there I loved spending my downtime hiking in the mountains and swimming in secluded rivers.
I think it's wrong to describe Wudang Kung Fu as a tourist trap, it's A) very good Kung Fu and B) not especially expensive. Historical greyness aside the forms are really nice, with their own distinct flavour (and certainly nothing like Shaolin), training is hard, and certainly when I was there we did a mix of Qigong, Taiji, external Ji Ben Gong and meditation, along with whatever style we were studying.
I just found my wife on a CCTV documentary! :D :eek: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbMnTZxbFiQ&feature=related (she's learning Taiji at 8:30)
I studied Liang Yi Quan at Wudang, which is one of the really distinctive styles taught there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6T4y0pfyZI

[Lokhopkuen]

Care to expand on that...?

It's beautiful.

Reeks of history.

Incredible energies.

Golden top and Purple heaven are must see.

If you go see if you can find someone to take you to the hidden stone Bagua. I had an amazing conversation with the old Preist who tends the small temple there. Also the hike out to the tea house at crows nest is very rewarding.

[GeneChing]

...but nothing for jedis. I'm so ashamed. :o

I don't own one but I'm certain to get the tiger claw hook up as per usual?
I'll take doubles in the master kit complete with DVD;)

Wudang, like any venerated mountain in China, is breathtakingly spectacular. To describe it as a tourist trap is like describing Yosemite as a tourist trap. Sure, there are lots of tourists, but an ancient Chinese mountain is a natural wonder. If you're stuck behind tourists, you just don't know how to get off the beaten path.

Then again, there's the theme park (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1147159)...:rolleyes:

[Lokhopkuen]

Speaking of beaten path I remember being in one of those gondola at Wu Dang almost at the top when I looked down at "the stairs" and there was some dude walking up a billion stairs to Golden Palace!

[GeneChing]

There are a lot of Wudang threads - nearly 500 at this point - so I'm posting this here as it's sort of general info on Wudangshan.


China historic palace site to be elevated (http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/08/15/china-historic-palace-site-be-elevated.html)
Wang Xiaodong, Asia News Network (China Daily), Hubei, China | Culture | Wed, August 15 2012, 2:52 PM


http://www.thejakartapost.com/files/images2/Yuzhen%20palace.jpgThe gate of Yuzhen Palace will be raised 15 metres to avoid being inundated. (ANN/China Daily/Zhang Jianbo)

A 600-year-old religious building in Central China will be raised 15 meters above ground by the end of the year to keep it from being inundated by a water project.

The Yuzhen Palace, which sits on the edge of the Danjiangkou reservoir in the Wudang Mountains in Hubei province, would be submerged after the dam is made taller.

The South-North Water Diversion Project, the world's largest such undertaking, will bring water from the massive Yangtze River in the south to meet demand in drought-prone cities in the north through three water-diversion routes.

"Elevation started on Aug. 1 and is expected to be completed before the end of the year," said Dai Zhanbiao, a senior engineer of Hebei Academy of Building Research, the project's contractor.

"By the end of the week, a palace gate had been raised 1 meter."

Seventy-two jacks will raise the main gate of the palace and the gates of the east and west palaces, which have a combined weight of 7,000 metric tons, Dai said.

The project also will raise the foundation and dismantle other vestiges of the site at an estimated cost of 200 million yuan (US$31 million), according to Shu Tao, director of Wudang Administration for Cultural Heritage and Religious Affairs.

The other vestiges of the site will be demolished and rebuilt in their original style after the site is elevated, Shu said.

The palace was built in 1412 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) to commemorate Zhang Sanfeng, a Taoist and tai chi master. Originally a complex with hundreds of palaces and rooms, only several gates and vestiges of walls and palaces remain. A main palace was burned to ashes in 2003 in an accidental fire.

The site was included in the Unesco World Heritage List in 1994.

"The site is as large as 56,780 square meters, so it is too difficult and risky to elevate the whole area," Shu said.

The current elevation plan was chosen after extensive research and debate.

Before the elevation plan was decided upon, experts had proposed two other options for the site. One was to build a **** to separate the palace site from water in the reservoir.

"But the plan was turned down as the site would have been under constant threat from water. Besides, water could have seeped through the **** and damaged the remaining buildings," Shu said.

The other rejected plan called for destroying the current remaining buildings and rebuilding them in their original styles.

"The current plan is the most costly and difficult, but it can best protect the cultural relics," Shu said.

A crucial job for the project is to build new foundations for the existing buildings so the new foundations can serve as platforms that can be raised by jacks underneath them, Dai said.

To protect the buildings from possible damage during elevation, all buildings were reinforced, and the workers will put grout in the new foundation whenever a building is raised 1.5 meters, Dai said.

"Elevating the buildings, the heaviest one weighing more than 4,000 tons, to the equivalent of five floors above their original positions is a huge challenge for us," Dai said.

Wu Hai, a visitor from Wuhan, likes the plan.

"Wudang Mountains are sacred, and I think the world heritage site should be protected," Wu said.

But not everyone agrees.

"It is right to protect cultural relics, but spending 200 million yuan is too expensive, and the amount could have been used to improve the livelihood of the local people," said Yan Chao, a student studying German in Huazhong University of Science and Technology.

This is not the first time in China old buildings have been raised to protect them.

A palace in Nanjing Museum that weighs 7,700 tons was raised 3 meters in 2010 in Nanjing, East China's Jiangsu province.

Gu Xiaochi in Wuhan contributed to this story.

[GeneChing]

Would this be called a hexcentennial?

China's Taoism Shrine to Mark 600th Anniversary (http://english.cri.cn/6909/2012/08/28/2941s719300.htm)
2012-08-28 23:35:48 Xinhua Web Editor: Fuyu

A series of memorial activities will be held later this year in central China's Hubei Province to mark the 600th anniversary of the construction of the ancient Chinese Taoism building complex at Mount Wudang, the provincial government announced Tuesday.

Cultural and economic events, such as a painting exhibition and a Tai Chi martial arts conference, will be organized in Shiyan from September to October, the provincial government said at a press briefing in Beijing.

Mount Wudang, with a long history associated with Taoism, houses numerous palaces and temples that exemplify the architectural and artistic feats of China's imperial Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

The cluster of palaces and temples dedicated to Taoism were built in the scenic valleys and on the slopes of Mount Wudang, which UNESCO included on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994.

Deputy Governor of Hubei Tian Chengzhong said the commemoration activities will help carry forward Chinese traditional culture, boost local tourism development and promote its opening-up toward the outside world.

According to the event schedule, a festive gala will be held on Sept. 27 to mark the 600th anniversary.

Also on that day, a ceremony will be held to celebrate the completion of the renovation project of Yuxu Palace, the largest one in the building complex.

As a renowned scenic spot, Mount Wudang received more than 3.5 million tourists from home and abroad last year.

[Scott R. Brown]

Would this be called a hexcentennial?

That would be Sexcentennial (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anniversary)!;)

[GeneChing]

Palace ruins looking up (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/2012-10/31/content_15859485.htm)
Updated: 2012-10-31 09:59
By Han Bingbin ( China Daily)
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20121031/0023ae127a6c11fac6d406.jpg
An excavation of underground cultural relics at the Yuzhen Palace in 2005 verified its architectural layout and provided firsthand materials of preserving the site. Tao Debin / For China Daily

When plans to divert water from Southern China to the north threatened a World Heritage temple complex, engineers decided to move the buildings vertically, Han Bingbin reports from Shiyan, Hubei province.

When ancient and modern structures compete for space, money and attention, the old usually gives way to the new. But when rising waters caused by the South-to-North Water Diversion Project threatened Hubei province's historic Yuzhen Palace, a team of local and national officials agreed on an unusual rescue approach: The building would rise, too. Cultural historians had feared for the palace even though it's part of a complex of palaces and Taoist temples that were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994.

Yuzhen Palace was built by Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in a tribute to the mythical Taoist priest Zhang Sanfeng. But some felt it lacked the charm of better-known structures - including the Five Dragon Ancestral Temple, the Grand Purple Cloud Palace and the South Cliff Palace - higher up on scenic Wudang Mountain.

In 2003, Yuzhen's appeal took another hit after an accidental fire while the structure was rented to a private martial arts school.

A local cultural relic official complained to Beijing News in 2004 that there was little investment to preserve the palace even though tourism revenue had increased after UNESCO's heritage listing. This was just one example of the low interest, even neglect, the palace faced. But soon the country's top cultural relic authorities and experts were drawn into a decade of discussions for a plan to save it from being inundated by the water project.

One idea, floated early on by Wudang's cultural relic bureau chief Zhao Benxin, was to build a ****. But the risk of a breach made the planners shudder.

A safer choice would have been to dismantle the temples and rebuild them with the original materials elsewhere. But to Zhao, the geomantic change would have cost the site its historic value. Zhao said he'd rather see Yuzhen completely demolished.

What finally saved the palace is a plan that challenges Zhao's imagination after he's worked 30 years to protect cultural relics on Wudang Mountain: Elevate the three palace gates, the heaviest weighing 4,500 tons, by a record-setting 15 meters with lifting jacks. The rest of the palace would be dismantled and then rebuilt in the same position after the surrounding ground was shored up to the same height.

Zhao visits the site almost every day, holding occasional meetings to stress the importance of the building, asking for in-depth project diaries and peppering engineers with what-if questions till each is satisfactorily answered.

"Each detail could go wrong," he says. "I have to think of the problems even before the engineers do."

But as the gates go up meter by meter, high anxiety is replaced by a sense of security. He says it comes in part from technology - the imbalance-sensitive control system has kept the range of error within 0.02 millimeters, far above the national standard. Zhao also cites the rich experience that the Hebei Academy of Building Research, the project's construction company, has demonstrated.

Lifting and moving technologies on architecture were first used in the West in early 20th century. Chinese engineers embraced it in the 1980s, but the process wasn't widely known until a decade ago, when the technologies were applied on culturally significant buildings. In the best-known example, the then 73-year-old Shanghai Concert Hall was moved 66.46 meters to the south and lifted more than 3 meters in 2003. Since then, the technologies have become a regular option when massive urban construction clashes with the need for cultural relic protection.

As such projects have evolved, the Hebei Academy of Building Research has grown to become a leader in the industry that includes at least 30 active companies, says the Yuzhen project's deputy director Bian Zhihui. The academy has successfully elevated or moved more than 30 ancient buildings since 2002. That year, its engineers raised the Jingang Tower in Yunnan province by 2.6 meters, their highest record before the Yuzhen project. Their ****hest move was achieved in 2006 when they horizontally shifted the Ciyuan Temple in Henan province some 470 meters.

In August, they began the task of moving an ancient temple in Anhui province 120 meters. They've also finished preliminary studies for a church in Wuhan that may be shifted 35 meters away from its original location.

Infrastructure developments such as road widening and subway construction, according to Bian, are most often the reasons for the relocation of ancient buildings. But it's still a rare practice.

"Many ancient buildings are directly demolished in city expansions when short of investments," says Bian, who has seen clients abandon plans to relocate architecture because of the expense.

For years, Bian's team has looked for technologies and strategies to reduce the cost. But the unique characteristics of each ancient building and site make it hard to widely apply a cost-reducing plan.

Using their experiences of the past decade, Bian is now studying for his doctor's degree at Tianjin University with a specific focus on moving ancient buildings. Though he believes the technology is mature enough for wide use, high cost remains a key reason that the business of lifting buildings has its limits.

More importantly, he adds, is a market-based challenge: If citizens don't appreciate the need to protect such cultural relics, the financial issue is irrelevant. That's why cultural relic protection in many places doesn't have as strong a voice as city construction, says Beijing-based cultural relic expert Wang Shiren.

"In many cases, cultural heritage was not given a thought at all during urban planning. Whatever stands in the way of city expansion is demolished," Wang says.

He suggests that other cities follow Beijing's example by establishing a joint office between city planning and cultural relic departments, so that negotiations can be held in time to protect important buildings.

But when in conflict with "constructions concerning national economy and people's livelihood", Wang adds, ancient buildings can be part of a compromise with the help of technology.

Shanghai-based Tongji University's architecture professor Ruan Yisan disagrees. The original environment is the most important living condition of an ancient building, he says, so relocation is the start - rather than the end - of destruction.

"There is never conflict between city expansion and cultural relic protection. If there is, it only exists in your brain," he says. "There are many different ways of developing a city. Why can't roads be bent? Why can't old architecture stand alongside new buildings?"

Several years back, the municipal government of Shanghai picked out 64 old streets and promised they would never be widened and buildings on both sides would be kept precisely to the original style.

Ruan says this sets a good example in preserving the old: Keep it where and what it is.

"Old buildings should be cared for like a treasure. It's also like an old man in bed. Moving him around would only kill him."

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/life/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20121031/0023ae127a6c11fac77b08.jpg

Contact the writer at hanbingbin@chinadaily.com.cn.
Zhou Lihua contributed to this story.
Love that concluding quote.

[GeneChing]

Operational by 2015

Foundation laying for airport near central China Taoist resort (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/2012-12/21/content_16039952.htm)
( Xinhua )
Updated: 2012-12-21

A foundation laying ceremony was held Saturday for an airport near Mount Wudang, a Taoist resort in central China's Hubei Province, authorities said.

Construction on the Wudangshan Airport will be kicked off soon and it will be the fifth airport to be built in the province, the provincial government said in a press release.

The airport is scheduled to be built with an investment of 1.54 billion yuan (247 million U.S. dollars), and is expected to become operational in 2015, it said.

The airport is 20 km from the Mount Wudang and about 15 km from Shiyan city proper.

One of China's planned regional airports, the airport's planned 2,600-meter-long runway will support operations of feeder liners with flight distances of 800 to 1,500 km.

The airport is designed to handle 900,000 passengers and 2,250 tones of cargoes and mails by 2020.

Mount Wudang, with a long history associated with Taoism, is home to numerous palaces and temples that exemplify the architectural and artistic feats of China's imperial Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.

The cluster of palaces and temples dedicated to Taoism were built in the scenic valleys and on the slopes of Mount Wudang, which UNESCO included on the World Cultural Heritage List in 1994.

[GeneChing]

Interesting tourist stats...

Wudang Mountains receive 4.26m tourists in 2012 (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/2013-01/30/content_16188399.htm)
( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2013-01-30

The Wudang Mountains received 4.26 million tourists in 2012 and realized tourism revenue of 2.26 billion yuan ($363 million), up 20 percent and 21 percent from the same period last year, respectively.

The Wudang Mountains launched year-round advertising campaigns on various media outlets, including CCTV-1, CCTV-4, China Comment and China Tourism News. Ads were also placed on vehicles like airplanes, high-speed trains and buses. The scenic spot also invited mainstream industries and media from home and abroad to shoot interviews and films in the region. Films such as The Karate Kid, Wudang and The Assassin were shot in Wudang and contributed to publicizing the area. It also offered ticket discounts and chartered airplane and train service to expand tourism.

The Wudang Mountains held events including the Taiji Lake Forum, the 12th National Village Heads Forum, the Wudang 600 Years Centennial Celebration, the World Health Assembly and Tai Chi International Fellowship Competition, and the Luotian Sacrificial Ceremony in 2012, attracting the attention of Chinese leaders and celebrities from all walks of life.

Tourists from Beijing, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and foreign countries increased significantly, up 62 percent from the same period last year.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130130/0023ae9897011273216401.jpg
Wudang Mountains receive 4.26m tourists in 2012

I've touched those balustrades...:o They told me it would bring me luck.

Wudang Golden Hall reinforces copper balustrades (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/2013-01/30/content_16188397.htm)
( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2013-01-30

Technical workers reinforced 148 copper balustrades in Wudang Golden Hall on the afternoon of July 19. The balustrades were originally built using funds donated by Yunnan people in the 19th year of Wanli Emperor (1591) in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The Golden Hall is the most important stop for tourists to Wudang. The copper balustrades have become loose due to wear-and-tear and frequent touching by tourists. Wudang has reinforced the balustrades and is warning visitors not to throw coins in the hall or touch the balustrades.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130130/0023ae9897011273239b03.jpg
Wudang Golden Hall reinforces copper balustrades

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130130/0023ae9897011273239d04.jpg
Wudang Golden Hall reinforces copper balustrades

Follow up on Yuzhen

Elevation of Yuzhen Palace breaks world record (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/2013-01/30/content_16188398.htm)
( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2013-01-30

The elevation project of Yuzhen Palace on the Wudang Mountains was completed on the afternoon of July 16. The gate of the palace reached a height of 15 meters, an elevation height four times higher than the world record.

Dai Zhanbiao, head of the project, noted that the elevation of the east and west gates were completed on July 9 and 13, respectively. The following work will require pouring concrete into the steel piers, weighing 80 kilograms each, to take the place of the dozen dismantled jacks. The pouring work is expected to finish at the end of February.

According to Dai, the elevation project of Yuzhen Palace began on August 1, 2012. The palace gates and mountain gates will be elevated one after another. The 1.5-meter elevation of the east and west palace gates can be done within two days. It only took one day to elevate the mountain gates. The gates can be lifted 0.5 meters every day on average.

Yuzhen Palace was built by the Emperor Yongle in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in 1412 in honor of the Taoist Zhang Sanfeng. After the elevation of the Danjiangkou reservoir dam, which serves as a water source for the Middle Route Project of the South - North Water Diversion plan, Yuzhen Palace was in danger of being submerged. As a result, the mountain gates, the glazed walls and the east and west palace gates of Yuzhen Palace are being elevated to keep the ancient cultural relics intact.

The restoration project of Yuzhen Palace will begin after completion of the elevation project and water storage tests. Yuzhen Palace will be surrounded by water on three sides when construction finishes. It will cost about 200 million yuan ($32.1 million).

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130130/0023ae9897011273233e02.jpg
Elevation of Yuzhen Palace breaks world record

[scholar]

I visited Wudang in 1994, before the cable cars went in. It was amazing. I highly recommend it if only for scenic purposes.

[GeneChing]

Some PRC tourist press loved this one for sure. More pix if you follow the link.

Foreign twin sisters learn Wudang kung fu (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/2013-03/14/content_16308692.htm)
By Han Shuya ( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2013-03-14

Twin sisters from Canada, Brandy and Melonie, came to the Wudang Mountains to study Wudang kung fu for over three years after watching the film The Karate Kid.

The mysterious and elegant Wudang kung fu performed by Jackie Chan in the film has aroused a lot of foreigner interest. Some even came to Wudang to learn more about it.

The twins learned kung fu from Yuan Xiugang, a 15th-generation disciple of the Sanfeng School in Wudang. Yuan opened a kung fu school next to Yuxu Palace on the Wudang Mountains and has received more than 20 foreign students.

It was the second time the elder sister Brandy has come here to study. In 2008, she came to Yuan Xiugang for the first time at the invitation of her friends and studied kung fu for four months. After she went back to Canada, her friends and relatives were all interested in her experience, so she took her twin sister Melonie to Wudang again in September 2009.

They learned kung fu at school every day except Christmas over the course of three years. They got up at dawn and practiced techniques during the day. At night, they would do seated meditation. What attracted them most was Wudang tai chi shadowboxing.

Brandy said she became much healthier after practicing tai chi shadowing. What surprised her was how she has been able to avoid fever and cold since her training. The sisters plan to open a kung fu school in Canada after their five-year studies to spread the martial art into Canada. They hope to be ambassadors for Chinese and foreign culture exchange.

According to Yuan Xiugang, over 300 foreigners have come to learn Wudang kung fu since the school opened to the public. One of them has studied here for more than six years. He hoped more and more foreigners could come to learn kung fu to further promote Wudang kung fu around the world.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130314/0023ae98970112abb81c06.jpg
Yuan guides Brandy (right) and Melonie (left) in the practice of Wudang tai chi shadowboxing.

[GeneChing]

somewhat on topic too


Wudang kung fu show comes to Beijing (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/beijing/2013-07/03/content_16717235.htm)
Updated: 2013-07-03 /By Le Qin (chinadaily.com.cn)

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/beijing/img/attachement/jpg/site1/20130702/bc305ba24a51133cda2602.jpg
Wudang kung fu is performed at the 10th BITE.

The 10th Beijing International Tourism Expo (BITE) was held in the National Convention Center from June 21 to June 23. The Wudang Mountains attracted lots of attention for their picturesque landscape photos and wonderful kung fu shows.

First held by the Beijing Tourism Development Committee in 2004, BITE has become an important communication platform for international and domestic tourism. There were 887 travel agencies and tourism enterprises present at the expo.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/beijing/img/attachement/jpg/site1/20130702/bc305ba24a51133cda6a09.jpg
Travel products from the Wudang Mountains

Theatrical performances with regional features were on display during the expo. A Wudang kung fu show performed three times a day attracted many visitors.

Apart from the show, introduction material about the Wudang Mountains was also given out to the visitors. Many of them said they would come to visit the scenic spot and experience Wudang’s profound culture.

[Tea Serpent]

Lads,

I'm looking for some recommendations on Wudang...books, websites, youtube...etc. I'm did a base search and keep getting lots of martial tourist sites. I'm interested in Daoism and the Internal Martial side of things...I don't know much about it other than than its a Mountain Side martial arts school that was known for its swordsmanship...and focused on Xing Yi, Bagua, Tai Chi and Daoist thought. I'm also am pretty ignorant about those styles as well.

Were they monks like Shaolin? Is it one place or several places like Shaolin? Were they rivals? Why was it founded? What were the weapons they used? Did they practice a particular style of Tai Chi....yadda yadda yadda.

Any insight would be appreciated.

Even though this question is years old the thread is still going and nobody has really tried to answer it yet. Plus it's a really good question, in fact those are probably the questions most people have, and in the case of Wudang probably even most people who train there don't even know the answer to many of those questions. So I'll take my best shot.

Wudang is a small mountain range consisting of 72 peaks surrounding one tallest peak. It is one of those areas that is both very special for it's scenic beauty and for it's biodiversity. There are a lot of springs and streams, forests, and medicinal herbs, So it the type of place that naturally attracts Taoist and Buddhist hermits.

ir had been known as a site that had many hermits for a very long time. I think (if I remember right since I'm too lazy to look it up right now) that the earliest actual Taoist temples were built by the Tang dynasty, although there could have been some earlier.
It was during the Ming dynasty that it became very big and important. The ruling family during the Ming dynasty were major patrons of Taoism and started many hugs building projects creating many palaces, temples, pavilions, etc. Several of which were built specifically so that the emperor or crown prince could go there to stay and worship. So eventually there ended up being something like over 100 temples, and about half a dozen huge "palace" complexes, a bunch of great halls and lots of other monuments.
Also during this period (early 15th century) the emperor passed an edict changing the earthly abode of Zhen Wu (the name of the god Xuan Wu when he is in human shape or being addressed respectfully) from it's ancient home in the Bei Heng Shan mountain range to the Wudang mountain range.
During the Ming dynasty there was some kind of governing organization but even then most of the places did their own thing. Different temples were run by different sects of Taoism, even within a sect there were often different independent or semi independent lineages. Some temples were associated with each other and often the big temples or "palace" temple complexes would oversee several of the smaller ones.
The Majority of Taoist lineages, or at least the majority of Taoist in the Wudang mountains were from the northern schools of Taoism. These schools have been influenced by both Buddhism and Confucian thought, ritual, and practices. Part of the influence of Buddhism was the development of monastic communities which were segregated by sex (also the ban on sex by members of the school). These schools first appeared during the late Southern Song dynasty and by the Yuan Dynasty had grown to be very influential. By that time the biggest sects of these schools had become firmly entrenched in the monastic way of life. The prevalence of the monastic schools of northern Taoism has helped the popularity of Wudang in modern times. Ironically people from the west tend to view these schools as more authentic than the original schools of Taoism. Part of this is the false idea of philosophical Taoism vs. religious Taoism invented by early Christian missionaries. With the schools that have been heavily influenced by Confucian and Buddhist morality, thought, and customs being seen as more in line with the detached philosophical mindset that westerners like to associate with supposedly real Taoism.
Just like in any other temple anywhere in China there were people who practiced martial arts. Also there were temple guards as these temples were located in the mountains and enjoyed patronage by wealthy influential families (when the imperial family start patronizing and publicly worshiping at a place other rich and powerful people usually do to) and often received valuable gifts.
The thing is there were many schools of Taoism, many temples, and many lineages, also Taoists tend to travel around a lot. So there really is no "Wudang style" there were a bunch of styles that were practiced at various temples around Wudang within various lineages. Not to mention that martial arts aren't Taoism so while some may have been passed down or even developed within a certain temple within a lineage of Taoists, they were also passed between Taoist schools and back and forth between Taoists and laymen, travelers, Buddhists, etc.
The weapons used were the same weapons used in all the other schools of martial arts. The idea of Wudang being school specializing in the sword has to do with the famous Wudang Dan Jian school of swordplay. This school was at some point passed to Song Wei Yi in Manchuria by the Wild Crane Taoist. He later passed this school on to several famous master including General Li Jinling A.K.A. Divine Sword Li. This style is made up of six different sections of swordplay which can be strung together into a 132 posture longform. In addition there are also a number of different drills and practices and a two person from. Only a few people learned the whole system however he taught many people the first section or two, including members of both the Chen and Yang Taiji families. Which is why Chen and Yang style swordplay today are basically just a poor copy of the most basic of the 6 forms of Wudang Dan Pai Jianshu, with a couple of movements from their respective styles' hand forms that lent themselves to swordplay. Although I understand that there supposedly is still a sword forms possessed by the Chen taiji people which comes from their own sword tradition before the introduction of the Wudang set.

[Tea Serpent]

As far as the XingYi Bagua Taiji Thing goes. XingYi and Bagua have absolutely no relationship to Wudang. The relationship of Taiji to Wudang is doubtful at best. We do know that several major martial artist visited there in the twenties and thirties and passed Taiji to various priests at Wudang. The majority of ancient "Wudang Taiji appears to a blend of Yang, Chen, Wu, or Zhaobao with various other martial arts. From what I have heard many of the older priests most of whom are dead now basically confirmed that their Taiji styles were basically a mixture of the various Taiji styles brought there in the early 20th century.
To understand this you need to go back the Yang family. It was the group surrounding the Yang family who first began to clain that Taiji was originated by Zhang SanFeng in the Wudang mountains. This claim was spread and given credence by Sun Lutang who was also responsible for spreading the ridiculous notion of "internal" martial versus "external" martial arts. In his book he also made the then more ridiculous claim that XingYi, Bagua, and Taiji were all related and constitute the "internal School" which originates from Wudang, as opposed to all the other styles which are from the "External School" and originate from Shaolin.
Unfortunately he was able to pass himself off as a scholar which helped people to more readily accept what was basically a book that should have rightfully been called "My Style Is Better Than Yours".
Because of the popularity of the book he was put in charge of organizing the central Guoshu institute at Nanjing. So right away he split the school into a "Wudang Section" for "Internal Styles" and a "Shaolin Section" for "External Styles"
after about 2 years he was fired because of this and other issues and his system of segregation was abolished, unfortunately the damage had already been done.
But because of the increasing popularity of his books many masters of XingYi, Bagua and Taiji went to Wudang to learn about the supposed roots of their arts. While there they usually ended up exchanging knowledge with the monks. However these people generally stayed for a very short time. What resulted usually was these masters learning some basic breathing and meditation techniques that they would try to integrate into their art under the false assumption that that stuff was the basis of their style. While the monks at Wudang would end up learning a Taiji, or XingYi or Bagua form or part of a form without learning or understanding the actual system or any of the finer points. So they too would integrate that knowledge in with the arts they had already learned.
While that doesn't mean that there isn't a Wudang Taiji form that is actually a traditionally Wudang form predating the introduction of the major Taiji styles in the early 20th century. But I can pretty much guarantee that most of their forms are just a mix of Yang or Chen or Wu style with some other random stuff.
However there are actual Wudang martial arts that have survived, although they are all on the edge of extinction, mostly thanks to the Wudang management.
The problem is that Wudang is a mountain range with many temples and lineages and many unrelated styles of kungfu. There has never been any "Wudang Style" all the different arts are unique and don't necessarily have anything to do with each other. It's not like Shaolin where even though there are different branches some of which have been separated for hundreds of years, all of them are still recognizably Shaolin, Wudang was never like that.
What the modern Wudang schools have done is to gather up forms from various old Wudang styles, pick out the ones that fits with their idea of what people want Wudang to be then jumble them up into on curriculum. Then on top of these they add Bagua, XingYi, and Taiji because ever since Sun Lutang's Books those are what people associate with Wudang. To be fair those arts have all been practiced there for at least the past 80 years, along with Baji which is also part of their curriculum. However Zhong Yun Long's Wudang Taoist Association's claims that these are all the original forms of these styles and that they all originated on Wudang are ridiculous lies to increase tourist revenue. If you want to learn the real original forms of Wudang Bagua, XingYi, or Baji, I would suggest going to Beijing because if you trace their lineages far enough back you will find some priest who spent a few weeks or months with a real master from Beijing or Tianjin.
I'm not saying that the people at Wudang aren't highly skilled, because they are. However what they practice and teach is a blend of basic Taoist meditation, Taoist health preserving skills, modern performing versions of various kungfu forms, with each person having learned forms from at least a dozen different styles, usually with some basic knowledge of some of the major applications from each form, a modified "Wudang" version of SanDa, and usually a few special skills such as some hard QiGong or some flexibility tricks. Basically your average Wudang "Taoist priest" isn't any different from your average Shaolin "Buddhist monk".
But don't kid yourself that you are learning real traditional Wudang martial arts. There is a reason that all of the forms have that certain "Wudang" look. It the exact same reason that all the forms a modern performance Wushu player performs have that Wushu look. Because they are taught a variety of basic skills and moves. Then they take that basic repertoire of moves and gestures and apply it to a bunch of different forms from different schools which are memorized one after the other.
Well, I've probably said enough to **** a lot of people off. But I have to say I am very interested in the different martial traditions and religious traditions of the Wudang mountains and I very much hope they survive despite the actions of the WTA and other schools doing everything they can to destroy them in the name of cash.
If you want to find real Wudang martial arts some of the styles do still exist intact or somewhat intact. However if you go on the Shaolin forum and hear the people there discuss their problems in finding a teacher who both knows and transmits purely traditional Shaolin martial arts then multiply that a few dozen times and you might get an idea of the difficulty of what you are facing.

[Xian]

According to those Wudang Martial Arts teachers I know they only have one form of Taiji which survived and this is the Wudang 13.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37q-GMzzK7c

The others are sets from Yang,Zhaobao etc.. family or as far as they say Taiji versions developed later on.Of course over the last years there popped out some other Taiji sets. I don't know specifically what they are but in my view judging from the body mechanics they come from the Yang, Zhaobao and so own Taiji stuff.

After have met with Indoor disciples from certain Wudang masters and Indoor disciples from Unknown other Gung Fu masters I cant really agree that at least these people just grasped the Basics of a style like Bagua.

What I can agree on is that there is a lot of making money on students cost but I guess this is nowadays everywhere in China the case. Tradition is good as long as you can sell it.. Isn't it the mantra ?

As far as I have this discussed with them its an issue they also know about.



Best regards,
Xian

[Howard]

According to those Wudang Martial Arts teachers I know they only have one form of Taiji which survived and this is the Wudang 13.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37q-GMzzK7c

The others are sets from Yang,Zhaobao etc.. family or as far as they say Taiji versions developed later on.Of course over the last years there popped out some other Taiji sets. I don't know specifically what they are but in my view judging from the body mechanics they come from the Yang, Zhaobao and so own Taiji stuff.



That Wudang 13 also is from Yang Style mostly.........

[bawang]

wudang doesn't train boxing

[GeneChing]

'Get a haircut!' sez the Shaoliner to the Wudanger. ;)


Foreigners keen to learn Wudang kungfu (http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/2013-07/15/content_16778250.htm)
By Li Hongyi ( chinadaily.com.cn )
Updated: 2013-07-15

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130715/bc305ba24a51134deb9e01.jpg
Foreigners keen to learn more about Wudang kungfu.

Wudang kungfu made it onto the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2006, and it attracts the interest of martial arts enthusiasts around the world.

Also in 2006, a total of 60 coaches, led by Yuan Xiugang, went on an international tour that included the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Singapore, and won several martial arts competitions.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130715/bc305ba24a51134dec0107.jpg
A trainee practices Wudang kungfu.

Wudang Mountains receives more than 1,000 overseas students annually, and Yuan has coached more than 2,000of these students.

“They are crazy about the spirit rooted in Taoist kungfu, and their interest is strong evidence that Taoist culture remains vibrant and attractive, with its more than 1,800 years of history,” said Yuan.

Wudang Wushu Association has 12 branches abroad, with more than 6,700 registered members.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/m/wudang/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20130715/bc305ba24a51134dec7f11.jpg
Foreigners keen to learn more about Wudang kungfu.

Edited by Niva Whyman and Le Qin

[Xian]

That Wudang 13 also is from Yang Style mostly.........

I dont know. I would say the Wudang 13 is not that what Zhang left or it least it is just a part of it what belonged to his Taiji.
Also I would say Taiji went from Wudang to Zhao Bao from Zhao Bao to Chen who mixed it with their own boxing and from there it went to Yang and so and so on.
In the meantime Wudang lost more and more of the Taiji till only the Wudang 13 was left or maybe not even that.
Somewhere the Taiji was reintroduced some sets were already altered by other people who did it in earlier times, some are newer mixes mixed with Chen and Yang stuff.
But I have no way to prove that so see it as my personal opinion.



Best regards,
Xian

[bawang]

But I have no way to prove that so see it as my personal opinion.




ur opinion is rong

[Vajramusti]

ur opinion is rong
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agree.

[Vajramusti]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Agree.
Chen style was not influenced by Wudang

[mawali]

I dont know. I would say the Wudang 13 is not that what Zhang left or it least it is just a part of it what belonged to his Taiji.
Somewhere the Taiji was reintroduced some sets were already altered by other people who did it in earlier times, some are newer mixes mixed with Chen and Yang stuff.
But I have no way to prove that so see it as my personal opinion.


Wudang is concept, very lucrative for the foreign audiences and it is something to market. I am suspicious of Wudang marketing because of their addition /appending the moniker Wudang to everything and calling it secret. After so many tries, it is indeed comical. Come on!
1. Wudang Yang style
2. Wudang Chen style
3. Wudang Zhaobao! Really, when Zhaobao is the village close to Chenjiagou and WUdang is where?
4. Wudang XIngyi
5. Wudang paquazhang
6. Wudang tongbei..
7. It does not take a rocket scientist to see a pattern here.

I laud their skill in attracting followers:cool:

[ShaolinDan]

'Get a haircut!' sez the Shaoliner to the Wudanger. ;)

HOLY CR*P!!!! The guy in the last picture there with the sword is a friend of mine (and training partner) from Kunming!! :):):) China's really a small place after all.:p

I'm sending the link to him now.

[TaichiMantis]

HOLY CR*P!!!! The guy in the last picture there with the sword is a friend of mine (and training partner) from Kunming!! :):):) China's really a small place after all.:p

I'm sending the link to him now.

Maybe we'll see you next...;)

[ShaolinDan]

Maybe we'll see you next...;)

You already have: http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=1092
Though, I guess it's cheating, since I wrote it myself. :p

[PalmStriker]

Dude, get a haircut! :)

[ShaolinDan]

Dude, get a haircut! :)

Ouch!:o Very well played. :)

For what it's worth (and to get a little bit on topic), 'authentic' or not, my friend had a really great time training there. And I can say from seeing his gong fu before and after that the quality of instruction he got was certainly good. He's a very experienced TKD guy with just a little bit of CMA training and before he went he really looked like a TKD guy doing gong fu forms. Two months later, everything was smoothed out and really looked like gong fu--I was very impressed by how much he'd learned and how well he'd learned it in that time.

[bawang]

only boxing known from wudang is hong quan

LOL

[GeneChing]

HOLY CR*P!!!! The guy in the last picture there with the sword is a friend of mine (and training partner) from Kunming!! :):):) China's really a small place after all.:p Nothing like a laowai longhair to give Chinese press exactly what they want - sophisticated masters showing foreign barbarians the light. :rolleyes: You know, when I was first traveling to China, they would give you a haircut at the border if they didn't approve.


Dude, get a haircut! :)
:D

[ShaolinDan]

Nothing like a laowai longhair to give Chinese press exactly what they want - sophisticated masters showing foreign barbarians the light. :rolleyes: You know, when I was first traveling to China, they would give you a haircut at the border if they didn't approve.


:D

That's fine on me, but my friend's the only one in those pics who doesn't have long hair. :)

[Hebrew Hammer]

This is a Chinese series called Kung Fu Quest 2...much better than the American copy cat reality shows like Fight Quest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBPzaxP2Cvs

[GeneChing]

武当山Wudang Mountain (http://english.cri.cn/12514/2014/12/08/2001s855633.htm)
2014-12-08 15:35:48 CRIENGLISH.com Web Editor: Qin Mei

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2014/12/08/16671208wudang1.jpg
A group of photos of "Sister Wudang"(武当妹妹wǔ dāng mèi mèi) went viral online. The photos show Zhang Lijuan practices martial arts and plays Guzheng, a traditional plucked-string musical instrument, at the Changchun Daoist Temple in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, Dec 4, 2014.

Zhang, born in Jishou, Hushou, Hunan province, became fascinated with martial arts at an early age. In 2007, she got enrolled at the Wudang Taoist Kung Fu Academy. She made a sensation in 2009 when her photos were published online and won the name of "Sister Wudang".

Wudang and Shaolin(少林shào lín ) are considered as the two main sects of Chinese martial arts.

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2014/12/08/16671208wudang2.jpg
Wudang Mountain 武当山 wǔ dāng shān

Located in the northwest of Hubei Province, Wudangshan Mountain covers an area of more than 30 square kilometers. Wudangshan has 72 peaks with steep valleys and beautiful scenery. The main peak, Tianzhu Peak (Heaven Column), is 1,612 meters above sea level.

[Photo:nipic.com]

Wudangshan is known as a sacred mountain of the Taoism(道教 dào jiào). Famous Taoist masters in history used to reside here. It was as early as the Tang Dynasty (618-907) that people built the Five Dragon Temple. In the following dynasties, the buildings on the mountain were expanded. There are now 36 palace halls, which were built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). These buildings are the largest existing Taoist complexes, in which various sculptures, scriptures and Taoist items are of high cultural and artistic value.

Wudang chuan (武当拳 wǔ dāng quán) translates as "Wudang fist." Whereas Shaolin includes many martial art styles, Wudangchuan includes only a few arts that utilize the focused mind to control the waist.

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2014/12/08/16671208wudang3.jpg

At the first national martial arts tournament organized by the Central Guoshu Institute in 1928, participants were separated into practitioners of Shaolin and Wudang styles. Styles considered to belong to the latter group - called Wudang chuan - are those with a strong element of Taoist neidan exercises. Typical examples of Wudang chuan are Taiji chuan(太极拳tài jí quán), Xing Yi chuan and Baguazhang. According to legend, Taiji chuan was created by the Taoist hermit Zhang Sanfeng, who lived in the Wudang Mountains.

Nothing like a cute female follower to make your temple go viral ...:rolleyes:

[GeneChing]

Haven't heard much from Wudang in some time. And this isn't much really either, but it's pretty and good fodder for our Sword Hotties thread (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?41007-Sword-hotties). ;)


Enthusiasts perform Kung Fu at Wudang Mountain (http://en.people.cn/n3/2016/0420/c98649-9047042.html)
(People's Daily Online) 08:56, April 20, 2016

http://en.people.cn/NMediaFile/2016/0420/FOREIGN201604200856000521643878129.jpg
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Photo shows an enthusiast performing Chinese Kong Fu on Wudang Mountain. Wudang Mountain, located in Shiyan in western Hubei, is both a famous scenic spot and the Taoist Holy Land in China. The ancient architectural complex on the mountain was listed by UNESCO as a World Culture Heritage Site in 1994. (Photo/people.cn)

[GeneChing]

Clearly I have been practicing Tai Chi incorrectly. I should be surrounded by hotties in a beautiful setting, not by myself in the suburbs. :o


Tai Chi master leads lake performance (http://www.ecns.cn/visual/hd/2016/04-27/92904.shtml)
2016-04-27 16:19Ecns.cn Editor:Yao Lan

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Wu Jianhua (in black), a master of Chen-style Tai Chi, leads a show with other practitioners at Shiyan Lake in Changsha City, capital of Central China’s Hunan Province, April 27, 2016. (Photo: China News Service/Yang Huafeng)

[GeneChing]

There's an embedded vid that I didn't copy over - Dancing Crane by Guan Yongxing


Wudang kung fu (http://www.shanghaidaily.com/sunday/now-and-then/Wudang-kung-fu/shdaily.shtml)
Source: Shanghai Daily | February 12, 2017, Sunday | PRINT EDITION

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Left: Two Taoist priests practice Wudang kung fu in front of the Purple Heaven Palace on Wudang Mountains in Hubei Province. — Wang Yong

Tai Chi master Guan Yongxing performs at snowy Mountain Wudang today. He imitates a dancing crane, which is a Chinese symbol of longevity. (Program Code: 090934617022100010 Source: Shanghai Daily)

WUDANG kung fu is one of the two most representative styles of traditional Chinese martial arts, the other being Shaolin. It’s a popular saying in China that “In the north, Shaolin kung fu is king; yet in the south, Wudang kung fu rules.”

Unlike its northern counterpart, which is known for its “external” form of martial arts and integration with Zen Buddhism, Wudang kung fu is an “internal” martial art based on the philosophy and canons of Taoism, an indigenous Chinese religion.

Wudang kung fu is named after the Wudang Mountains, a sacred center of Taoism and home to a complex of famous Taoist temples. Located in central China’s Hubei Province, just south of Shiyan city and north of Shennongjia Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wudang Mountains are considered by Taoists as the most ideal place in the country to achieve taihe or “great harmony,” the pinnacle of Taoism.

The first Taoist temple, Five Dragons Temple, was built here during the reign of Emperor Taizong in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). Further structures were added in the following centuries, particularly under the sponsorship of Chinese rulers who were pious Taoist followers themselves, such as Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Soon, Wudang Mountains drew many believers to practice Taoism here. One of them was Zhang Sanfeng, a legendary 12th century Taoist figure and the man widely credited with founding Wudang kung fu.

There are various historical accounts about Zhang’s life. One tradition claims that he was born in Shaowu in southeast China’s Fujian Province in 1247 and lived for more than 200 years. He is said to have served as a government official for a short period of time in his youth, but later left his office and gave away his wealth and began to travel the country as an ascetic.

Zhang eventually settled in the Wudang Mountains and lived there as a reclusive Taoist priest, healer and sage.

Zhang spent much time studying Taoist philosophy and medicine. To prolong his lifespan and achieve immortality, he advocated the so-called Taoist “inner medicine.”

He once said: “To cultivate the mood before cultivating the medicine; to cultivate the character before cultivating good medicine; when the mind is steady, the medicine will come naturally by itself; when the mood and character have been cultivated, good medicine will be in reach.”

Inner strength

In the book entitled “Epitaph of Wang Zhengnan,” Huang Zongxi (1610-95), a renowned Chinese naturalist, political theorist and philosopher, claimed that Zhang Sanfeng also created Taoist internal martial arts, which include both Tai Chi Chuan and Wudang kung fu.

The internal and external are key concepts in traditional Chinese fighting arts. The difference is the source of the energy applied.

For instance, a fighting movement may be exercised by external muscular and structural forces, or by controlling the circulation of an inner force called chi (“life energy”), which can be accumulated by physical and spiritual exercise and flow through a relaxed body.

Zhang’s Tai Chi Chuan and Wudang kung fu were allegedly created according to Taoist ideology, which holds that the Tao, the everlasting source, pattern and substance of everything in existence, suggests naturalness, simplicity, spontaneity as well as softness, quiet, unification and harmony. And these elements are present in the movements and skills of Wudang kung fu.

The initial purpose of Zhang’s Wudang kung fu was to maintain fitness. The movements and skills of Wudang kung fu were designed to improve blood circulation, relax muscles and joints and cultivate physical and mental health.

Later, it also became a fighting art for self-defense. Its strategy is to fend off hard attacks with soft movements, defeat the strong in a yielding way, confront the active with stillness, beat the fast in a slow manner and strike out only after an opponent has struck first. It emphasizes defense rather than offense. This is because Taoism promotes peace and harmony, rather than conflict; so Wudang kung fu is meant for protection, not destruction.

Wudang kung fu has three main styles, namely, baguazhang, Tai Chi Chuan and xingyiquan.

Baguazhang, literally “Eight Trigram Palm,” is named after the trigrams of “I Ching” or “Classic of Changes,” an ancient Chinese divination text and one of the key ideological foundations of Taoism. Circle walking is the customary movement of Baguazhang.

Tai Chi Chuan combines slow, deliberate movements, meditation and deep breathing. It is today chiefly a mind-body practice to help treat or prevent health problems, as well as delay aging.

Xingyiquan, which translates literally to “Shape-will Boxing,” is the oldest of the Wudang internal martial arts. It concentrates on the mind and the shape of the body, rather than physical strength and heavy handed force. It is primarily composed of five basic fist movements, all exercised at short range.

Some documents indicate that xingyiquan was created in imitation of the fighting techniques and spirit of 12 animals — such as the tiger, monkey, snake, eagle, horse and bear — to tap into the natural instincts and fighting abilities those animals possess.

Wudang kung fu remains popular in China today, and like its northern counterpart Shaolin kung fu, it is also being practiced in many other places around the world. In 2006, Wudang kung fu was written into China’s first national intangible cultural heritage list.

[GeneChing]

The disappearing art of Chinese Wudang-style Kongfu (http://en.people.cn/n3/2017/0706/c90000-9238114.html)
(People's Daily Online) 15:43, July 06, 2017

Traditional Chinese Kongfu lost its practicality after the end of the cold weapon age. Wudang, one of the most famous forms, is trying to carry the tradition forward in a new age.
Zhong Yunlong, born in 1964, is 14th generation Wudang Sanfeng Sect. He came to Wudang when he was 19 years old and exchanged Kongfu arts with other sects on behalf of Wudang. Zhong returned to the Purple Cloud Temple, the base of Wudang, five years later to deal with challengers from other places.

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(Purple Cloud Temple)

The last person who challenged him was an Italian fighter some 23 years ago. Claiming to be the founder of martial arts in Europe, he was thrown to the ground and slightly injured. Measures were later put in place to prevent future injuries. Without an actual combat atmosphere, however, fighters cannot learn from each other, and Wudang gradually became a form of exercise for self-entertainment.
According to Zhong, Wudang used to have 11 branches, but now only has six. “The most important reason for their disappearance is the strict rules of inheritance. There used to be more than 400 sects in Taoism Kongfu, but most of them were lost over time.”
Wudang swordsmanship exists only in legends, because today’s swords are made of iron and are wobbly, so they are only suitable for performances or collection. He has collected various swords, all of which are unsatisfactory, expect one: a rusty sword made in the 1980s has companied Zhong till now.

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(Wudang's Sword Collection)

“Its performance rather than community,” Zhong said, describing the present environment of Kongfu. Before, several years of training was required before one could even start learning Wudang Kongfu. Nowadays, most people are just interested in superficial moves.
According to rumor, Zhong’s master gave him a sword book before he died. Zhong said the rumor is false. “There’s no such sword book. We were taught the arts orally.”

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(Zhong Yunlong)

Wudang and Shaolin are the best-know forms of Chinese Kongfu. Wudang is famous for swordsmanship while Shaolin style is superior in boxing. Wudang’s swordsmanship is famous in China. It combines both hard and soft moves that change according to the reactions of the challengers.
Nowadays, Taoists in Wudang pay more attention to tourism than Kongfu. Data shows that Wudang received 7.6 million tourists in 2016, and made 4.3 billion RMB in 2016.
Zhong left the Purple Cloud Temple last year, despite his promise to his master that he would never leave Wudang. He did not take his sword with him.



Wudang (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?62509-Info-on-Wudang/) & our SEP+OCT 2003 cover master (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?24250-September-October-issue).

[GeneChing]

Is there really a 'world record' (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?52601-Martial-Arts-World-Records-and-Stunts) catagory for Taoist temple construction (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?62509-Info-on-Wudang&p=1315857#post1315857) speed? :rolleyes:


World record breaking work on Yuzhen Palace complete (http://www.ecns.cn/news/2019-09-12/detail-ifznxzmn1173587.shtml)
12019-09-12 10:27:12 China DailyEditor : Li Yan ECNS

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Yuzhen Palace on Wudang Mountain in Shiyan, Hubei province, is seen last week. (Photo by MAO YONGSHENG/FOR CHINA DAILY)

Yuzhen Palace, a group of Taoist palaces in Central China's Hubei province, has had all its foundations raised a record 15 meters and its buildings restored.

The central government started the work in 2011 to prevent the World Cultural Heritage site from being submerged by a nearby reservoir for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project.

The palace complex on Wudang Mountain in Shiyan, Hubei province, was built in 1412 by an emperor of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) for Zhang Sanfeng, a legendary Taoist who created tai chi. Its name Yuzhen means "encounter with the immortal".

To raise the foundation, workers used jacks to lift three stone gates weighing about 7,000 metric tons and build up the foundation beneath them, according to the publicity department of the Wudang economic zone.

The department said that it was the first time a building had ever been raised 15 meters for a restoration.

At its peak, Yuzhen Palace had 400 halls and pavilions covering 5,600 square meters. Now, however, just a few of the main halls remain, showcasing the well-preserved style of the early Ming Dynasty.

Workers had to dismantle the buildings and then restore them as close to their original state as possible on top of the new foundation. The total cost of the effort was about 200 million yuan ($28 million).

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Yuzhen Palace on Wudang Mountain in Shiyan, Hubei province, is seen last week. (Photo by MAO YONGSHENG/FOR CHINA DAILY)

The work was designed by the country's South-to-North Water Transfer Project Office and National Cultural Heritage Administration for this diversion project's expansion.

In 2005, the central government planned to enlarge water storage capacity of the Danjiangkou Reservoir, the water source of the middle route of the diversion project. By 2013, its dam's top was raised from 162 to 176.6 meters, leading to a 66 percent increase in its water storage, according to local authorities.

The reservoir is one of the largest artificial freshwater lakes in Asia and provides water to areas of Henan and Hebei provinces as well as Beijing and Tianjin.

However, the expansion posed a submergence risk to surrounding areas within 300 square kilometers. So Yuzhen Palace, located about 1 kilometer from the water, needed to be saved from ruin.

By 2013, the dam and foundation raising projects were completed. In July this year, all the other buildings were restored, concluding the foundation project.

Cai Jianping, deputy head of the department of South-to-North Water Diversion Project Management with the Ministry of Water Resources, said that it should be celebrated that the work of Yuzhen Palace has passed technical checks, and it should be recognized as a historic moment for the palace that will help ensure its future.

[GeneChing]

Int'l conference in China's Wudang Mountains promotes Tai Chi (http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2023-10/24/content_116769586.htm?f=pad&a=true)

Xinhua, October 24, 2023

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Krtinov Sergei from Russia competes during the 7th Wudang Taichi International Fellowship Competition in Shiyan, central China's Hubei Province, on Oct. 23, 2023. (Photo by Du Zixuan/Xinhua)

The World Conference on Wudang Tai Chi opened on Monday at the foot of Wudang Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in central China's Hubei Province.

Over 2,000 participants from 33 countries and regions gathered in the Wudang Mountain Tourist and Economic Special Zone, Shiyan City for the conference, which aims to promote Chinese traditional culture and exchanges between civilizations.

The conference runs through Wednesday and major events include an international Tai Chi competition, a forum on Tai Chi culture, a youth arts festival, a cultural heritage exploration, and health consultations by traditional Chinese medicine experts.

An opening ceremony, featuring traditional Taoist music, international video connections, and a mass Tai Chi demonstration, was held at the Yuxu Palace, one of the largest monasteries among the Wudang architectural complex. This showcased the historical significance and profound influence of Wudang Tai Chi culture to on-site and online audiences.

For centuries, the Wudang Mountains have been known as an important center of Taoism, especially famous for its Taoist versions of martial arts or Tai Chi. The ancient palaces and temples here represent the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years.

"Over 500 million people from 150 countries and regions practice Tai Chi, and about 30,000 foreigners visit Wudang annually for Tai Chi studies," said Wang Zhonglin, Governor of Hubei Province, in his opening speech. He mentioned that the Tai Chi culture, originating in Wudang, advocates the philosophical concept of harmony between nature and man, conveying the ideas of benevolence and inclusivity. He expressed the commitment to build Wudang Mountains into a global center for Tai Chi culture and a world-class tourist destination.

The Wudang Tai Chi International Fellowship Competition kicked off on Sunday, divided into five age groups: children, youth, young adults, middle-aged adults, and seniors. A total of 1,503 athletes registered, including 128 from overseas.

"I'm where I'm meant to be. I feel more at home in China than in England," said Benjamin Lucas, who would take part in the competition after a five-month training in a local martial arts school. The 32-year-old mentioned that he had practiced Tai Chi for five years and that Taoism, traditional Chinese music, and tea were also his interests.

Eli Roovers of the Netherlands visited Wudang Mountains twice to learn Tai Chi, Taoist philosophy, and guqin, a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument. He found the most appealing thing about Chinese culture to be "the fact that the older elements of the culture are still very much kept alive today and honored, and it is not just something you read about, but something that I see being put into practice."

Having spent nine months in total in Wudang, the 45-year-old Dutch believed that Tai Chi and the philosophy behind it have changed his life.

The World Conference on Wudang Tai Chi (http://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?72632-The-World-Conference-on-Wudang-Tai-Chi)
Info-on-Wudang (https://www.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?62509-Info-on-Wudang)