Wudang, the origin of Taoism, Tai Qi and Qi Gong
Having been a martial artist for over 30 years, I never believed that one day I would visit the Wudang and pay respect to the founder of Tai Qi, Taoist Great grand master Zhang Shan Feng.
Before my trip, I was daunted with the long journey, which took me two days by plane, train and car in order to reach my destination. Having said that the voyage was a pleasant one giving me amble of opportunities to see the rural side of Mainland China.
The more I travelled inland the more I was going back in time. China was no longer given me the impression of the busy buzzing cities that I once accustomed to, it was rather much more peaceful and tranquil. At the out skirt of the Wudang Mountain, Li Sui, the administrator who was responsible in helping me to find the path to Wudang, greeted me with a welcoming smile.
It took another 45 minutes by car before we reached Wudang academy which was in the mid range of the mountain, by then, I was exhausted but also excited with the thought that I had finally reached the mystical famous destination that compared to the famous Shaolin Temple, a place all Chinese martial artist talked about in their folk legends.
Wudang Academy was the only academy that was recognised by the Wudang Chinese authorities, and its facilities were similar to that of a boarding school with over 200 students practising Wudang martial arts full time.
The training at Wudang Academy was regiment; the first class began in the beginning of dawn at 5am resting at 7pm, then 1pm to 3pm an finally 7pm to 9pm.
I greeted the principal of Wudang Academy Master Zhong Xueyong and exchange a hand of friendship. Chugarkwon Academy and Wudang Academy were now friends and affiliates.
I was surprised I was able to enjoy a three star hotel treatment in such rural areas and I would not forget my first welcoming lunch, which was a tasty Wubei cuisine that was unique to Wudang.
After the formality, Li Sui and Master Guan Yongxing escorted me for a tour around the temples of heaven, then follow by a humble vegetarian meal at the Taoist dormitory where all the dedicated Taoist practitioners lived. I found the people here most friendly and welcoming.
The following day Li Sui and a Taoist master took me to the highest point of Wudang mountain where situated was the Temple among the gods.
The Wudang Mountain was rather high, it would be impossible to walk there, and the only option for a tide schedule was a cable cart ride, which still took a good 30 minutes before reaching the top. In this holy place, it was a test of stamina, determination and compassion. With out these one would never able to reach the 1000 steps to climb to the very tip of the mountain where the temples were based.
At the top, the scenery was breath taken and the top was higher then the clouds making it as if one were standing among gods. Suddenly, my life history flashed crossed my eyes, looking back at my childhood, coming to UK, living a western life for more then 30 years and to stand here at Wudang Mountain, paying respect to the founder of Tai Qi and to come back to the roots of my ancestral land was a very emotional feeling to encompass.
I had come a long way to sense this and to my pleasant surprise, it was an impression of enormous gratification, it was an epiphany, a revelation of nature and balance, the true meaning of yin and yang.
I had a memorable time and although the trip of 6 days I managed to spend only 2 days at Wudang but it had given me a deep rooted familiarity, a sense of fellowship of humanity and nature. I missed Wudang Academy and I missed my new friends.
