Many thanks for your interest in this very special journey to sacred Mount Wudang and its renowned Taoism Treasure, Wudang Taoist internal alchemy study!

September 1, 2 & 3, 2012

Arrival in Mount Wudang

Arrival in Mt. Wudang, by train from Beijing,  where you will be met for the one hour transfer by bus to Crows Ridge village (Nanyan), located high in the mountain. Check into your 3* hotel, which is close to the hall where we will meet for our daily Qigong, Taoist Daoyin, meditation and lectures.   We have scheduled a three day arrival window to give you time to recover from jet lag, should you wish,  before you begin the intensive course programme.  During this time, you can join Wudang Tai Chi Chuan training classes, for 2 hours morning and afternoon.   There is also a small Blind Massage Practice in Nanyan, a great way to recuperate after a long journey, while for those of you who enjoy walking, there are a number of temples and paths to explore in the immediate vicinity.

The Wudang Mountain range (Wudang Shan), also known as Wu Tang Shan or simply Wudang, is a mountain range in the Hubei province of China, just to the south of the manufacturing city of Shiyan

In years past, the mountains of Wudang were known for the many Taoist monasteries to be found there, monasteries which became known as academic centres for the research, teaching and the practice of meditation, Chinese martial arts, traditional Chinese medicine, Taoist agriculture and other related arts. As early as the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220AD), the mountain attracted the attention of the Emperor. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the first site of worship - the Five Dragon Temple - was constructed. More recently, the monasteries were emptied, damaged and then neglected during and after the Cultural Revolution of 1966–1976, but the Wudang mountains have lately become increasingly popular with tourists from China and abroad, due to their scenic location and historical interest. The monasteries and buildings were made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The palaces and temples in Wudang, which were built as an organized complex during the Ming Dynasty (14th–17th centuries), contain Taoist buildings from as early as the 7th century, and represent the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture over a period of nearly 1,000 years. Noted temples include the Golden Hall, Nanyan Temple and the Purple Cloud Temple.

Wudang Taoist Internal Alchemy Course

Internal alchemy, like the more general alchemy from which it derived, focuses on transmuting energies and substances, or in other words, on the unification of the corporeal body, heart-mind and intention. The practice focuses on restoring balance and elevating spiritual vitality. The goals of internal alchemy are enlightenment, improved health, longevity, and peacefulness. Practitioners often seek immortality or reunion with the pre-heaven to achieve the Oneness.

Class Schedule

The daily schedule allows for 2.5 hours of lecture class and three 1.5 hour practice sessions which, by the end of the course, can increase to as much two hours each.  This gives a daily study commitment of 7+ hours, covering Taoist alchemy practice, Taoist Daoyin, Tai Ch'i Chuan, and theory

Typical Daily Schedule

Course Programme, September 4 -18, 2012

The course begins on September 4, at 5.30am, and ends at lunchtime on September 18. 

September 4 - 17, 2012

Our days begin with early morning meditation practice before the rising of the sun.  This is followed by a traditional Chinese breakfast, then class covering the theory and philosophy of alchemy, Taoism, Buddhism and transmundane practice, which will also be explored through the writings of the Tao Te Ching, the Chuang Tzu and Journey to the West.  Our late morning practice session is followed by lunch.  In the evening we meet again in our practice hall to continue our practical training in Taoist Internal Alchemy meditation 

September 18, 2012

We will continue our Taoist internal alchemy  practice in the early morning.  After breakfast, there will be a final 3 hour lecture, which will provide the guidelines for the Whole Process of Internal Alchemy Practice.  The lecture will finish by 11.00am.  You will have time to rest or hike in the afternoon, before taking the bus back down the mountain to Wudang town, where we will enjoy a farewell dinner together, before leaving Wudang by overnight sleeper train to Beijing.

 Additional Activities: 

Golden Top Temple:  During the course, there will be one day off, with only morning meditation class.  This is to give you the opportunity to visit the striking Golden Top Temple, perched on the highest peak of Wudang Shan.  We will go by bus across the mountain, cross several peaks by cablecar, and spend time at the Golden Top Temple complex, enjoying the panorama, before returning on foot to Nanyan, using the old pilgrimage path and stairways to descend.  Since this excursion is best enjoyed on a clear day, and is impossible if the mist descends, timing of the 'day off' will be kept flexible.

Special Events:

We will attend a special Taoist ceremony in one of the temples in Wudang

To have a small taste of Taoist life, we will visit and have lunch inside Purple Heaven palace

Towards the end of the course, we will visit the well known Wudang Taoist Kungfu Academy to watch a performance of their spectacular Kungfu

Afternoon Free Time and Excursions

In the afternoons, you will have free time to rest or explore.  There will be 4 or 5 organised outings, accompanied by an English speaking guide, which will include the special Purple Heaven Palace, Prince Slope Temple, Monkey Valley, Southern Grotto Cave, as well as several other very interesting places to visit nearby.  And, no doubt,we will also manage to fit in a trip to the the local temple tea house to experience the exquisite teas of Mount Wudang. 

For more information regarding the workshops please CONTACT US

May You Journey Forever with the Tao!