A Taoist Priest Teaches Tai Chi and Provides Meals

Wudang Mountain Travel Guide: A Lazy Person's Guide to Spiritual Cultivation As an urban couch potato who gets winded climbing stairs for three minutes, I actually went to Wudang Mountain for spiritual cultivation! It proves that as long as you plan well, even a lazy person can enjoy this Taoist holy land. Transportation: I recommend taking the high-speed train to Wudangshan West Station. From there, a taxi to the scenic area costs about CNY 30. Don't be like me and try to save money by taking the bus. I almost threw up my breakfast on the winding mountain road. Tickets: Peak season tickets are CNY 245, including the sightseeing bus, and off-season tickets are CNY 190. I recommend buying tickets with the bus, or you'll be ready for ascension by the time you reach Zixiao Palace. Student discounts are half price, so remember to bring your student ID. You can use the money you save to buy a Golden Summit ice cream to calm your nerves. Must-See Attractions: 1. Golden Summit: 1,612m above sea level, the cable car costs CNY 80. I chose to hike, but I started contemplating the meaning of life halfway up. I recommend bringing some snacks. The aunties selling water on the way are even better at bargaining than the Shaolin monks. 2. Zixiao Palace: The ancestral home of Taoism, with lots of incense. Fortune telling costs CNY 20, but the interpretation is free. I drew "Great Luck," but then I fell on my way down the mountain. The Taoist priest said it was helping me eliminate bad karma... 3. Nanyan Palace: A palace on a cliff with a dragon-head incense burner extending out over the cliff. It is said that Taoists used to step on the cliff to offer incense. Now there are railings, which is great news for cowards! Food: 1. Taoist Vegetarian Meal: CNY 30 per person, all vegetarian dishes but surprisingly delicious. Especially the "vegetarian Dongpo pork," which uses bean products to create the texture of meat. After eating it, I even wanted to become a monk. 2. Wudang Taoist Tea: CNY 50 per pot. I couldn't taste anything special, but taking photos and posting them on social media makes you look like you're living a healthy life. 3. Farmhouse Restaurants at the Foot of the Mountain: The local chicken soup is a must-order. The owner said the chickens are raised on Chinese herbal medicine, so it's no wonder they can stay up later than I can. Accommodation Recommendations: The hotels on the mountain are average but convenient for watching the sunrise, and the price is CNY 300+. I stayed in a homestay at the foot of the mountain for CNY 150. The owner even gave me a homemade map, although it looked like a treasure map. Tips to Avoid Pitfalls: 1. Don't trust "free tour guides." They will always take you to buy expensive incense. 2. Don't try to climb the mountain on rainy days. The stone slabs are so slippery that they can send you straight to see the Patriarch Zhang Sanfeng. 3. You have to wait in line to take photos at the Golden Summit. I recommend going at 6am to pretend you're very diligent. Finally, a reminder: Wear comfortable shoes! I wore new shoes, and the blisters on my feet were brighter than the Golden Summit by the time I got down the mountain. Wudang Mountain is beautiful, but your feet will remember every step... Wudang Mountain Scenic Area, Hubei, China 🇨🇳