Stand on Yongle Road in the early morning and the Wudang range rises ahead of you, its ridgelines carrying temples that have drawn Taoist pilgrims for centuries. Shiyan itself spreads below in a valley of steep hills and fast rivers, a city built around the automobile industry and reshaped by the Danjiangkou reservoir and the water transfer canals that run north from it.
This guide suits travellers who want mountain hiking and temple architecture alongside a working industrial city, and who are willing to base themselves in Shiyan's central districts or in the Wudang Mountains Special Zone.
1. Wudang Mountains
The Wudang Mountains, also written Wudangshan, are the reason many visitors come to this part of Hubei. Several old buildings here have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as "The Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains", and the surrounding area is dotted with Taoist monastic temples and religious sites. The peak commonly referred to as Wudang Mountain is one of the most important cultural centres of the Taoist faith.
Entry tickets are ¥130, and tickets for the sightseeing vehicles are ¥100. The site is open 07:30-17:30, and the address is 13 Yongle Road, Taihe Subdistrict, Danjiangkou. Tourist enquiries can be made on +86 719 5668567 and ticket sales on +86 719 5665396. Give this a full day at minimum, and plan to use the sightseeing vehicles rather than walking between the main complexes.
2. Golden Hall
The Golden Hall, known in Mandarin as Jin Dian or Jin Ding, sits at the top of the Wudang range. It was built at the same time as the Forbidden City, as a thanks to the god Zhen Wu for helping the emperor take over the country.
Because it is the summit destination, combine it with the other Wudang sites on the same ticket and vehicle system, and start early in the day so you are not descending in fading light.
3. South Cliff Palace
South Cliff Palace, or Nanyan Gong, is a temple built into a cliff face. It is one of the most striking pieces of architecture in the Wudang Mountains and is included among the sites visited on the mountain.
It sits within the Wudangshan Scenic Area, so reach it using the sightseeing vehicles covered by the ¥100 vehicle ticket rather than attempting to walk between complexes.
4. Purple Cloud Temple
Purple Cloud Temple, or Zixiao Gong, is a Taoist temple complex dating from the 12th century. It is one of the principal temple complexes on the mountain and rewards time spent slowly, rather than as a quick stop.
Pair it with South Cliff Palace and the Golden Hall on the same day in the Wudang Mountains, since all are served by the same scenic area transport.
5. Carefree Valley
Carefree Valley, or Xiaoyao Gu, is a hiking area with monkeys, waterfalls, and fresh water pools large enough to take a dip. It offers a change of pace from temple visiting and is a good choice if you want to walk rather than ride between sites.
It sits at the end of the valley near the Three Taoist Temples of Qiongtai, so combine the two in one outing. Watch your belongings around the monkeys.
6. The Three Taoist Temples of Qiongtai
The Three Taoist Temples of Qiongtai form a 600-year-old temple complex at the end of Carefree Valley. It consists of three temples: the upper temple (Shang Guan), the middle temple (Zhong Guan) and the lower temple (Xia Guan).
Because it lies at the end of the valley, the natural approach is to walk through Carefree Valley and finish here, then return by the same route or by the scenic area transport.
7. Wudang Museum
Wudang Museum, at 14 Bowuguan Road in the Wudang Mountains Special Zone, Danjiangkou, is a free museum covering the mountain's heritage. It is open 09:00-17:00 with no entry after 16:30, and closed on Mondays. Bus no. 208 serves it.
Use it as a wet-weather or rest-day option, or as context before or after your time on the mountain. Contact details are +86 719 5667386 and wudangmuseum@163.com.
8. Shiyan Museum
Shiyan Museum sits at 91 Beijing North Road in Maojiang District. It is free, open 09:00-17:00 with no entry after 16:30, and closed on Mondays. There is a bus stop named city museum just outside, served by routes 15, 16, 18, 28, 31, 85, 86, 87, 99 and Airport Bus No. 1.
This is the most convenient museum if you are based in central Shiyan rather than out at Wudangshan. The phone number is +86 719 8489398.
9. Shiyan People's Park
Shiyan People's Park is at 48 Gongyuan Road, Zhangwan District. Entry to the park is free, and tickets for the zoo are ¥30. Hours vary by season: July to September 07:30-20:00, and October to June 07:45-18:00.
A bus stop named People's Park sits just outside the entrance, served by routes 3, 5, 8, 18, 21, 32, 35, 52, 56, 57, 58, 59 and Airport Bus No. 1. It pairs well with Shiyan Museum for a low-cost day in the central districts. The phone number is +86 719 8683359.
10. Qinglong Mountain Dinosaur Egg Fossil Group National Nature Reserve
Qinglong Mountain Dinosaur Egg Fossil Group National Nature Reserve, also known as Qinglong Mountain Dinosaur Egg Fossil Group National Geopark, is in Qinglongshan Village, Liupi Town, Yunyang District. Thousands of fossilized dinosaur eggs dating from the late Cretaceous Period have been unearthed here since the 1990s, and the eggs are displayed at an on-site museum. It is open 08:00-18:00 and entry is ¥60.
To get there, take an Express 100 bus to Yunyang District from Shiyan Central Bus Station, alight at Yunyang Xintiandi, then take the Yunyang Lake Tourist Bus to the final stop. The phone number is +86 719 7478006.
11. Study Kung Fu
Wudang Kung Fu is one of the two most famous styles of Chinese martial arts, and there are many schools on the mountain to choose from. You can study for a day or for years.
Si Shifu is described as one of the best schools on the mountain if you are interested in learning fighting techniques. Purple Heaven Palace School is described as one of the best if you are interested in learning Taiji for the sake of motion and beauty.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start early in the Wudang Mountains, entering at 13 Yongle Road in Taihe Subdistrict, Danjiangkou, and use the sightseeing vehicles to reach the Golden Hall at the summit while the light is best.
Afternoon: Continue by sightseeing vehicle to South Cliff Palace and Purple Cloud Temple, then walk Carefree Valley through to the Three Taoist Temples of Qiongtai if time and energy allow.
Evening: If you are still in the Wudang Mountains Special Zone and it is not a Monday, Wudang Museum is open until 17:00 with no entry after 16:30. Otherwise return to central Shiyan and finish at Shiyan People's Park, which stays open until 20:00 from July to September.
When is Shiyan Museum open, and is there an entry fee?
Shiyan Museum is open 09:00-17:00, with no entry after 16:30, and is closed on Mondays. Entry is free.
How do I reach the Qinglong Mountain Dinosaur Egg Fossil Group National Nature Reserve without a car?
Take an Express 100 bus to Yunyang District from Shiyan Central Bus Station, alight at Yunyang Xintiandi, then take the Yunyang Lake Tourist Bus to the final stop.
What do the Wudang Mountains tickets cover?
Entry tickets to the Wudang Mountains are ¥130, and tickets for the sightseeing vehicles are ¥100. The site is open 07:30-17:30.
Can I study martial arts on the mountain?
Yes. Wudang Kung Fu is one of the two most famous styles of Chinese martial arts, and there are many schools to choose from, with study possible for a day or for years. Si Shifu is named for fighting techniques, and Purple Heaven Palace School for Taiji.
Decide whether you want the mountain or the city as your base, check the Monday closures, and start building your itinerary around the Wudang Mountains and the museums and parks of central Shiyan.