Travelling to China's martial arts birthplace

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2012-10-22

China has a long and rich history. Chinese martial arts has a worldwide reputation and vastness representing one of the most cherished facets of traditional Chinese culture. In China there is a folk saying that in the north, Shaolin-style is respected, while in the south, Wudang-style is esteemed.

Wudang and Shaolin are the two birthplaces of Chinese martial arts and both have held onto strict principles since ancient times. After 1970, Wudang and Shaolin opened to the outside world.

The ancient buildings in Wudang Mountain are famous for their beauty, scale and grandeur. Wudang Mountain was added to the UNESCO World Cultural Legacy list on December 17, 1994. Most of the ancient buildings were devised and planned according to the famous legends of Zhenwu's self-cultivation.

They were assembled with traditional building techniques and reveal the emperors' rightful power granted by Heaven. They also reveal Taoism's worship of nature in creating great and beautiful royal palaces, mysterious and wonderful Taoism scenery, quiet and classic gardens, and other features. The ancient buildings, the reflection of ancient beliefs, and the planning and architecture contribute to the historical significance of this area. Wudang Mountain also creates a harmonious unity of artificial buildings and natural landscapes.