Family Trip to Wudang Mountain and Tai Chi Lake

Before leaving, I checked the transportation options. To get to Wudang Mountain Scenic Area, you can take a flight (about 120 yuan by taxi from the airport, 15 yuan by direct shuttle bus), high-speed train, regular train, or drive yourself and exit at Wushan on the Han-Shi Expressway, which leads directly to the scenic area entrance.

I took the high-speed train with my family and got off at Wudangshan West Station.

After getting off, we took a taxi to our pre-booked hotel in Wudang Mountain town (Xuanwu Hotel, 130 yuan per standard room). We rested a bit, and by the time it was 6 PM, my daughter suggested going out to eat and shop.

We asked the hotel front desk. It happened to be Saturday, and the Wudang Yongle Yuxu Pedestrian Street, only 300 meters from the hotel, was holding a temple fair (locals said it was held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). We could taste local Wudang snacks while watching performances. The street was lively with Wudang Taoist music, lion dances, and dragon lanterns. On both sides of the street, there was a dazzling array of Wudang folk handicrafts (embroidery, paper-cuts, Tang figurines, etc.). We strolled for a long time, sampling local Wudang snacks like konjac, potatoes, sweet potato vermicelli soup, etc. When my daughter said she was tired, we returned to the hotel.

Since we planned to go up Wudang Mountain the next day and time was tight, we made plans in advance. The hotel front desk reminded us to buy tickets early for entry. We booked tickets online (230 yuan per person, my daughter got a half-price discounted ticket). The main attractions in Wudang Mountain Scenic Area include Needle Grinding Well, Prince Slope, Carefree Valley, Purple Cloud Palace, South Cliff Palace, and the Golden Summit. Since we had our 12-year-old daughter, we planned to go to the Golden Summit first in the morning (so we would have plenty of energy to hike), and then visit the other scenic spots in the afternoon.

At 7 AM, we got up and had a simple breakfast at the Xuanwu Hotel (congee and steamed buns; there were over a dozen kinds of congee). We bought some snacks at the supermarket in advance (in case our daughter got hungry while climbing). We took the bus (3 stops) to the entrance of Wudang Mountain. When we entered the visitor hall, it was already packed with people.

Qingxin had already bought the tickets for us. After checking our tickets, we took the scenic area's dedicated bus directly to the lower station of the Wudang Mountain cable car (the bus ride took about 30 minutes; we didn't get off at the scenic spots along the way, but from the bus we could see the majestic mountains and the beautiful ancient Wudang architecture). At the lower cable car station, we bought one-way cable car tickets (45 yuan per person). After a 15-minute cable car ride, we reached the upper station. From there, looking far into the distance, we saw lush green pines and cypresses, dense vegetation, and mist swirling around the Golden Summit. Truly worthy of being one of the Four Great Mountains.

Following the endless stream of people, we arrived at the Transfer Hall (it is said that bad luck can be turned into good luck there). After climbing the Nine Consecutive Steps of Wudang (extremely steep—ladies, be sure to wear flat shoes!), we reached the Golden Summit. By the way, tickets for the Golden Summit need to be purchased separately (20 yuan per person). We arrived relatively early (around 10:40 AM), but there were already many tourists queuing to worship the Patriarch. I witnessed a pilgrim kowtow 100 times until his forehead was nearly broken (it is said that wishes made here are very effective). Our family of three also knelt devoutly before the Patriarch and made our own wishes. After visiting the Golden Summit, we planned to descend on foot from the main mountain (the cable car is on the back mountain). We walked down the stone steps slowly, enjoying the scenery along the way (the temperature difference on the mountain is large, so bring a jacket). It was also lunchtime, so we sat down to eat some snacks (there were many small shops along the way) and drink some mountain spring water. After about 1.5 hours, we reached Crow Ridge at the foot of the mountain, a gathering point for tourists descending. There were many shops and restaurants. We found a restaurant that looked rustic and had a simple lunch. To my surprise, our daughter really liked the wild vegetables there.

In the afternoon, we visited South Cliff Palace, Purple Cloud Palace, Carefree Valley, and Prince Slope in order along the return route. The exquisite craftsmanship of the ancient Wudang architecture and the profound Wudang Taoist culture were amazing! My husband even learned some Taoist kung fu from the Taoists at Purple Cloud Palace for a while, and our daughter was reluctant to leave the monkeys at Carefree Valley.

After a full day of touring, we were really tired. It was 7 PM by the time we came down the mountain. We asked around and found a place said to serve authentic and reasonably priced local Wudang cuisine (Feng Xiaoguan Tujia Cuisine), located near the entrance of Wudang Mountain. The special dishes there—Feng's Poached Eggs, Feng's Wild Bamboo Shoots, Fresh Wudang Mountain delicacies—all had unique flavors. Maybe because we were so tired, our daughter ate two full bowls of rice!

The host was also very hospitable. When we said we were tired from climbing and didn't plan to return the next day, he asked if there were any nearby places worth visiting. The host told us that Tai Chi Lake Tourist Area, only 6 kilometers away, was suitable for a family of three to relax and unwind. We looked it up online and found many boat tour options with nice scenery. That night, we stayed at his guesthouse (150 yuan per room). The decor was rustic, and it was clean and quiet.

We slept until 8 AM. After a simple breakfast, the host offered to drive us directly to Tai Chi Lake Tourist Area (we could also take the bus or a taxi).

When we entered the Wudang Mountain Pier at Tai Chi Lake Tourist Area, we saw many tourists practicing tai chi in the square! It was the perfect time for morning exercise. Our family of three joined in. Though our daughter was young, she looked quite practiced.

The scenic area offered more than twenty types of boat tours, including long-distance tours and water activities near the pier. We planned to take a 1-hour sightseeing boat tour first (128 yuan per person, online price 108 yuan per person) and then try other activities at the pier.

Water activities suitable for children included bumper boats, water battle boats, and pedal boats.

There were also thrilling activities for young and middle-aged people, such as parasailing boats, banana boats, speedboats, jet skis, and kayaks.

The boat pier here was beautiful, with all kinds of boats neatly moored. Some of them looked extraordinary. The tour guide sister told us that one of them was a Ferretti, a top Italian brand, worth 17 million yuan, the only one on the inland lake. There was also an American Cruisers 330 and a French Jeanneau sailboat.

The exquisite yacht pier at Tai Chi Lake

Noah's Sailboat (can be chartered with 3-5 friends)

When we came down, a couple was taking wedding photos! It was a beautiful sight, and I couldn't help but secretly snap a picture.

We boarded the sightseeing boat. I had never seen such clear lake water—it was pure and free of impurities. The tour guide sister told us that this is the water source for the South-to-North Water Diversion Project Middle Route—Danjiangkou Reservoir, where the water quality has consistently met national Class II surface water standards, and the water here is directly drinkable. So it turns out that people in Beijing also drink water from here.

As we enjoyed the sparkling lake surface, we saw a flock of white seabirds flying in the distance. This is the habitat of the great egret. Along the way, the tour guide sister told us stories of the ancient Junzhou City underwater, and stories of the relocation of immigrants. Beneath the water used to be the bustling ancient Junzhou City, known far and wide for its Eight Scenic Spots. It is said that thousands of pilgrims once walked from here to Xuanyue Gate, prostrating themselves every three steps and bowing every nine steps, to enter the mountain and worship. That is why the locals now say, 'Tour Wudang, starting from the water.' Before going to Wudang Mountain, it is good to come here first to experience the hardships of our ancestors and go up Wudang with a pious heart—then your wishes will come true.

Before we knew it, we passed scenic spots like Pine Ridge and the Laozi Statue along the way, and the boat returned to the visitor pier.

At that time, we saw a banana-shaped inflatable boat speeding towards us, splashing water, causing the three or four tourists on it to scream. My daughter was instantly attracted and wanted to try it. We asked the staff and confirmed that it was safe (wearing a life jacket is very safe), so we boarded the boat. We had a great time; though our clothes got wet, it was thrilling and fun.

Then, our family went to the children's playground water area to kayak for a while and tried the pedal boat. Feeling very satisfied, we returned to the square at the visitor gathering point. Before leaving, my daughter even tried the children's excavator in the square.

It was lunchtime, so we chose the Tai Chi Fish Village Restaurant near the pier. The tour guide sister said they make good fish there. It was right next to the 316 National Highway on the way back. We tasted the local unique fish—silver fish with an upturned mouth—and Wudang Mountain delicacies. Our daughter kept saying how delicious it was...

After returning to the hotel in town for a short rest, we visited the Jade Void Palace (Yuxu Palace) in the afternoon. It is free to enter, located at the end of the pedestrian street, through a tunnel. It is said that this was once the foremost of the Nine Palaces of Wudang Mountain, with grand and magnificent architecture.

Then we visited the Wudang Museum on the east side of the town for free, where we could systematically learn about the history and culture of Wudang Mountain and the development of Taoist thought.

The day ended leisurely...

On the third day, we set off for our next destination: Shennongjia.