Wudang Mountain, the famous scenery destination in China, whose perimeter is over 800 km, full of beautiful mountains and primeval forests, was always regarded as the meeting place between heaven and earth. The charming scenery and the legendary stories had been invariably inducing many Taoists and hermits in the history of China to come for cultivating inner elixir for longevity and enduring health well-being, physically and mentally. In a long run in history, Wudang Mountain was regarded as the origin place of China Taoism.

Many Taoism famous alchemy practitioners once were very active in Mt. Wudang. The number one God to be worshipped here is Zhen Wu (The Turtle God). In the old recordings available till now people can find that Zhen Wu was once a prince of a state called Jing Loe. From very young he prefered to read religious scriptures and lost interest to become an emperor. When aged 15 he bade his parents and went to Mt. Wudang to practice alchemy. During the following 42 years he experienced endless difficulties and finally became an immortal. Wudang Taoism is one sect characteristic of worshipping Zhen Wu God.

In the book Zhen Hao written by Tao Hong Jing there exists a recording that Yee Xee and Yee Gui in Zhou Dynasty, the first and second disciples of Lao Tzi, once practiced alchemy in Wudang. Their master Lao Tzi also visited his disciples once upon a time.

Chen Tuan is another very famous alchemist in the history. In around A.D. 950 he began to practice inner alchemy in mount Wudang which lasted almost 20 years. He created Five-dragon sleeping Qigong and later moved to Huan Shan. Nowadays people still can find the cave in which he practiced alchemy and read scriptures. He had lots of poem and calligraphy work and people can enjoy them till now.

Lu Dong Bing is very renowned in Western world for his legendary tales and magic power. He is one figure in the popular Eight Immortal legend. Lu Dong Bing wrote many poem in praise of the pretty scenery and quietitude in Mt. Wudang. He also finished many inner alchemy books when he stayed in Wudang. One is titled Personal Experience for Cultivating Elixir.

Zhang Shan Feng is a mysterious Taoist in Ming Dynasty. Due to his efforts the outside Kung Fu and inner alchemy practice combined together and the Wudang Inner Kungfu Fu came into being. Zhang Shan Feng created Tai Chi Chuan, Ba Gua Chang and Xing Yi Chuan here in the Tai Tzi Cave, not far away from Purple Heaven Palace. In fact, his the inner alchemy attainment matters much more in comparison with his Kung Fu creation. He wrote many inner alchemy poem and articles still very popular in inner alchemy circle. His poem A Tree Without Root is much often quoted in many articles and books. Elixir Cultivation Direct Revealation and Tai Chi Skills in Cultivating Elixir are very famous till now.

The medicine King Shun Si Miao was once a famous Taoist and hermit. He stayed in Mt. Wudang many years for alchemy practice and disease treatment and herbs picking and digging. In Chinese medicine theory and practice, his book Typhoid Fever Treatise is so important that almost all TCM students have to learn it for advanced understanding upon complicated diseases.

It is said that Zhenwu Emperor had been cultivating inner elixir her for over 40 years and became an immortal. Till now the Immortal-converting Cave still hanges half way down the Southern Cliff, beckoning resolute practitioners to follow his footsteps.

During the Song Dynasty, Wudang Taoism had developed into considerable size, forming its own organization frame, and set up many Taoist buildings. Till now upon the day of Zhenwu' birthday and immortal-converting date, pious people from nearby provinces would come here in endless groups worshipping Wudang Mountain from all directions.

Wudang Taoism evolved to reach the most prosperous stage in the Ming Dynasty. Cheng Emperor, Zhu-Li gave orders to emphatically enhace and develop Wudang Taoism after he was crown to become the emperor. He gave all the related orders by himself, personally, concerned about the reconnaissance and design of Taoist buildings, sent qualified officials to supervise the project, gave consideration to the Taoists' cultivation. When the construction project came to the end, there standed many immense buildings on the both sides of the 140-km old road leading to the Golden Peak.

Mount Qianshan features many beautiful peaks, precipitious cliffs, secluded valleys, high-situated Taoism temples, grotesque pine trees in strange shape, exuberant flowers of various kinds, etc. So, in history many inner alchemy practitioners seek silent place to cultivate inner elixir.

Now we establish a remore retreat place deep in Mount Wudang, where we can stay far away from the uproarious world and gain for our self a silent domain that only belongs to ourselves. It is a deserted house and after renovation all looks anew and suitable for long time stay. There is electricity available all day long, simple food provided, the rooms are very clean and comfortable. Separate toilet is located not far with shower available in it. Several pieces of field are suitable for planting vegetables. Rice and weat flour and daily used products can be carried down. All are simple for protecting environment. People can stay here for as long as they wish to enjoy the serenity and intimity to nature. In leisure time, practitioners can do fishing, plant vegetables, plant and harvest Wudang tea, practice Tai Chi Chuan, read book in the comfortable rooms and practice inner alchemy. Tourists are also welcome to come and stay for short time to enjoy the beautiful life deep in remote Mt. Wudang.

The following list the pictures illustrating the environment and the conditions of the retreat house.

		This is view in front of the retreat house. It is large water lake, very deep, full of fish growing in natural environment. Practitioners can fish here free of any worry in leisure time. Only the birds singing and creek splashing resound in the quiet valley every now and then. The nature really seriously demonstrates its beauty in a silent way, not familiar with general human beings.
This a stone bridge not far away from the retreat house resting here silently for no one knows how long time. The relentless time sweeps away all things possible in memory and bring them to a far off.
		This is the mountain brook flowing on all year long, located not far away from the retreat house. Such clear water, pure and transparent, seems to be the forever tears from a practitioner who sighs over the shortness of human's existence and longs for the complete escape from the circle of birth, death, aging and illness.
This is the mountain road surrounding the lake. Very quiet and serene, people can stroll in leisure time. Perhaps leaves fall free of any feeling, yet the year after year green and yellow alternation seems to narrate a never-ending story we should sit down to listen to.
		This is Monkey Fruit tree the typical plants very popular in Mt. Wudang. It can bear lots of deliciou monkey fruit which monkey likes the most.
This is the far view in front of the retreat house. Leaning against the green layers of layers mountains the retreat house rests deep in the greens, silent and no people know.
This is the front view when standing in the platform of the retreat house. Facing the large open water face and dam, people are easy to be dissolved in the greens and serenity and silentlessness.
This is a view to the left side of the reteat house. The Immortal-converting Cave and Southern Grotto Temple dot along the far-off cliff, like an old overlooking the ever-changing world and keeping silent always.
		This is the corridor in fron of the first floor. Formerly there was a hermit living in the house and no people know where he went now. After renovation, the house is clean and comfortable for hermits to stay for a long time. It is a kitchen the door shows on the picture where cook prepares vegetarian food in it.
In the first storey there are altogether 4 rooms available for comfortable living. One the second storey there are two rooms. All are clean, comfortable, new blanket, new floor board leatheroid, new bed, new straw-weaven sitting mattress for practice. All is prepared for hermit stay and practice.
Living Conditions: Vegetarian food provided two to three times daily Separate water-rushing toilet available nearby Shower available all day long in the toilet Daily-used products can be available in one or three days Daily Activities: Hermits can plant vegetable in the several pieces of field nearby Do fishing at any time in the lake Prepare raw Wudang tea in leisure time Practice Wudang Kung Fu, Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong or do meditation by own Just have a rest to enjoy the beauty and serenity of nature Stay away from the noisy secular world for sometime, to seek the internal quietitude Daily Costs: Euro 19.00 per day. Food, accommodation, water and electricity included. In fact, the rice and wheat flour and daily-used products are carried down by cargador and cook is employed to prepare food every day. The electricity is expensive here in the remote place.

Wudang Inner Alchemy Study Dept.
DaMo Qigong Dept. of WTKFA

Purple Heaven Palace
Mount Wudang Scenery Zone
ShiYan City, Hubei Province, China 442714
Tel: 0086-138-405-97760

Please feel free to contact Mr. Wang Tao lao@damo-qigong.net