Wudangshan, Hubei, China
In China, there is a saying:
"In the north, Shaolin is respected,
In the south, Wudang is revered."
Here, in these mountains, Daoists took refuge and built temples and palaces for the practice of their arts and culture. With 72 peaks surrounding a central pinnacle, this auspicious site became a home to many shaman, hermits, alchemists, doctors, warriors, and martial arts masters who sought out the questions of life, and an understanding of the interplay of the heavens and earth.
Famed for their swordsmanship, the Wudang Mountains have been a source of cultural references not only in China, but around the world. Many of the classic Wuxia (fantasy martial arts genre) novels and stories feature the Wudang Sects and tales of chivalrous swordplay. The legends of Wudang priests and the God of Wudang Mountain, Zhen Wu, stretch across cultures.
The classic kung fu movies also reference the Wudang arts through their film series. This includes films such as Shaolin Vs. Wu-Tang, the Condor Hero trilogy, and many more.
In American media, you also find Wudang references in the famed rap group The Wu-Tang Clan, taking on the name of the Daoist mountain directly. More recently, Jackie Chan's The Karate Kid features the main characters' pilgrimage to the mountain, and features a few of the monks and martial arts masters at the famed Southern Grotto Palace and Carefree Valley.
Wudang Mountains