武当山

Why this place

Wudang Mountain is the most important Taoist mountain in China and the origin point of the internal martial arts associated with tai chi. The Ming court built its temples at imperial expense as a single designed complex climbing the mountain, including the bronze Golden Hall at the summit.

What to see

• The Golden Hall at the summit, cast in bronze in the Ming dynasty
• The Nanyan Palace, built into a cliff face like a swallow's nest
• The Purple Cloud Palace and the ancient building complex
• Early-morning tai chi practice in the temple courtyards, which visitors can watch or join

What to eat

• Wudang Taoist vegetarian cooking, which is a genuine tradition
• Hubei mountain food: wild vegetables, bamboo and the local tofu

How to plan

Two days: the Golden Hall one day, the lower palaces and tai chi halls the next.

Best time

April–June and September–November

Practical tips

• The walk up is long — buses and a cable car shorten it; the Nanyan cliff palace is most people's highlight