The Wudang Mountains form one of China's most important centers of Taoist practice, with a network of temples, monasteries, and shrines built into the cliffs and peaks over more than a thousand years, most famously the Golden Hall at the summit of Tianzhu Peak, cast entirely in bronze and gilded gold. Visitors typically ride a cable car partway up before hiking the remaining stone stairways past the Purple Cloud Temple, Nanyan Temple's cliffside shrines, and various martial arts training halls, since Wudang is also the traditional birthplace of Wudang-style tai chi. A single-day visit covers the main summit route, but many visitors stay overnight at a mountain guesthouse to see both sunset and sunrise from the upper slopes, which extends the visit to 1 to 2 days. Spring and autumn bring the mildest hiking conditions, avoiding both summer humidity and winter ice on the stone steps.
| Admission | Adult $21 (150 CNY); cable car extra $18.20 (130 CNY) round trip · Child Half price for children 1.2–1.4m |
|---|---|
| Hours | 7:00 AM–6:00 PM (summer); 7:30 AM–5:30 PM (winter) |
| Typical visit | 1–2 days |
| Best time | April–May and September–November for mild hiking weather |
| Getting there | High-speed train to Wudangshan Railway Station, then shuttle bus (~30 minutes) |
| Address | Wudang Mountain Scenic Area, Wudangshan Special Zone, Shiyan |
Weather through the year in China
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for China.
Location
Wudang Mountain Scenic Area, Wudangshan Special Zone, Shiyan
32.3997, 111.0000 View on map
Highlights
- The gilded bronze Golden Hall atop Tianzhu Peak
- Nanyan Temple's cliffside shrines carved directly into rock
- Purple Cloud Temple, one of Wudang's largest surviving monastery complexes
- Wudang-style tai chi demonstrations at several training halls
Tips for visiting
- Take the cable car up and reserve energy for the stone stairway sections near the summit
- Book an overnight mountain guesthouse if aiming to see sunrise from the upper peaks
- Wear sturdy footwear -- many temple approaches involve steep, uneven stone steps
- Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable hiking conditions
When to visit
April to May or September to November, for mild temperatures and the most stable hiking conditions on the stone steps.
Accessibility
The cable car reduces much of the climb, but the final approaches to most temples involve steep stone stairways that are not wheelchair accessible.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a visit to the Wudang Mountains take?
A single day covers the main summit route, but 1 to 2 days allows for an overnight stay and sunrise views.
Is Wudang worth visiting for non-hikers?
Yes -- the cable car reduces the physical demand considerably, though some walking on stone steps near the summit is unavoidable.
Is photography allowed at the temples?
Photography is generally allowed in outdoor temple courtyards, though some indoor shrine halls restrict it out of respect for active worship.