Wudangshan

After driving for several hours we arrive at Wudangshan in time for lunch where we treat our driver , his mother and his wife`s mother to dinner .(Stefanie`s mother) before we make our way to the hotel.

Grandmothers getting to know each other.
We stay at Wudangshan Jianguo Hotel which is situated at the foot of the mountain alongside the main entrance. It had the MOST comfortable bed Ive tried in China!! At almost ￥700/night i guess they should be good. Pure luxury  (Chris)

Wudangshan is one of several mountains in Chinese that has special significance to Daoists and attracts many visitors , both local and foreign to visit the many temples, have their fortune told and to learn the many forms of martial arts . Tai chi is one of many that was founded at this place. Wudangshan Martial arts community are building a huge new complex.

Daoist monk at Wudangshan dispensing wisdom and fortune telling.

Daoist monks.

New martial arts centre in Wudangshan  (under constrution) being built alongside the hotel we stayed in , would like to come back here when this is finished.

Entrance to mountian scenic departure area, with many small shops  all selling similar junk  ( oops valuable trinkets). The bus terminal is also located here .  in order to get the first bus and arrive at the chairlift area at the top ( almost top) of the mountain i had to line up at the ticket office at 5.00am  !!! It was worth it to arrive early and not have to wait for several hours to buy a chairlift ticket. The bus takes about 30 minutes to climb the 18 klms .  The road is very steep and windy  ...  several locals were travel sick after about 500 metres !!! not pleasant. However  once getting to the top it was worth it . SO many temples and places to see.

So many temples but oh,  so many people too.  This was october 5th an important festival date and also in the middle of the Chinese national week holiday.

Chinese people love the colour red !!!

Prayer is an essential part of visiting Wudangshan.

Children everwhere enjoy a holiday from school !!!

Enjoying the sunshine at Wudangshan .

 Christine and I trying our red ribbons to the tree. Visitors throw the ribbons as high as possiblle , if they saty on the tree it wil bring them good luck  ( it had already bought good luck to the shop that sells many 1000`s of these ribbons !!)

Chrisitne fixing our "heart shaped locks " to a post at Wudangshan summit.  These symbolise love between two people. There are many thousands of these fixed to chains on the stairs leading to the summit.