Golden Palace in Mount Wudang

Attractions Overview

It is a rare treasure in ancient Chinese architecture and casting technology and is a national key cultural relic protection unit.

Chinese Name: 武当山金殿
English Name: Golden Palace in Mount Wudang
Type: Wuhan Scenic Area, Wuhan famous spots & Artificial attractions
Best Time: All Year Around
Recommended Visiting Hours: 2-3 hours
Opening Hours:08:00 - 17:00
Location: Wudang Mountain Tourism Special Economic Zone in Shiyan City, Hubei Province

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Why is Golden Palace So Special?

Wudang Mountain Golden Palace is located in the Wudang Mountain Tourism Special Economic Zone in Shiyan City, Hubei Province. Wudang Mountain, also known as Taihe Mountain, has a total area of 312 square kilometers and is a national AAAAA tourist attraction. In 1994, the ancient buildings in Wudang Mountain were listed in the World Cultural Heritage List. In 2006, 62 ancient buildings in Wudang Mountain were listed as national key cultural relics protection units.

Where is Golden Palace

The Golden Palace (金殿) on Mount Wudang (武当山) is located at the summit of Tianzhu Peak (天柱峰) in Hubei Province (湖北省), China. At an altitude of 1,612 meters, it is a majestic example of Ming Dynasty (明代) architecture and is renowned for being the largest and highest-ranking copper-cast gilded hall in China.

The palace was constructed during the Yongle Era (永乐年间) of the Ming Dynasty, beginning in 1416, and was designed to honor the Taoist deity Zhenwu (真武大帝). Its stunning design and intricate craftsmanship make it a unique architectural marvel, attracting visitors from around the world.

In 1961, the Golden Palace was designated as a National Key Cultural Heritage Site by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. In 1994, it was included as part of the Wudang Mountain Ancient Architecture Group on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Location and Accessibility

Location: Tianzhu Peak, Wudang Mountain (武当山), Danjiangkou City, Shiyan, Hubei Province, China

Altitude: 1,612 meters (5,290 feet)

Access:

• By Air: Take a flight to Shiyan Wudang Mountain Airport and then take an airport shuttle to the Wudang Mountain Scenic Area.

• By High-Speed Train: From Hankou Railway Station in Wuhan, take the high-speed train to Wudang Mountain West Station, and then take a bus to the scenic area.

• By Bus: Long-distance buses from Wuhan, Shiyan, and Xiangyang operate to the Wudang Mountain bus station, which is within walking distance of the scenic area.

History of Golden Palace

Built in 1416 of the Ming Dynasty, it is made of gold materials and has a wooden architectural style, hence the name Gold Hall. Despite more than 500 years of wind, frost, rain, snow and lightning, things are still resplendent and magnificent, and they are as beautiful as ever. They are rare treasures in ancient Chinese architecture and casting technology and belong to key national cultural relics protection units.

Origins

Originally, a small copper hall was built on Tianzhu Peak in 1307 during the Yuan Dynasty (元代). However, in 1416, during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle (明成祖朱棣), a new, grander Golden Palace was constructed on the same peak. According to historical records, all the components of the Golden Palace were cast in Beijing and transported via the Grand Canal to Nanjing before being shipped upriver along the Yangtze River to Mount Wudang. The palace was assembled at the site with extreme care, and Emperor Yongle issued a special decree for the shipment to be conducted with great caution, stating that the ships should be kept immaculately clean.

Architectural Features

Design and Structure

The Golden Palace is constructed with a copper-gilded (鎏金铜) exterior in the form of a wooden-style structure, featuring heavy eaves and a royal palace-style roof. The palace measures 5.8 meters in width and 4.2 meters in depth, with a height of 5.54 meters. The roof is adorned with large golden beasts, and the structure is supported by intricately carved copper brackets.

The roof ridge is decorated with various figures, including dragons, phoenixes, and horses.

The body of the palace is made up of copper screen panels, and every part of the structure was cast separately before being assembled and gilded. The work is known for its meticulous craftsmanship and flawless joinery, showing no signs of casting marks.

Key Features

True Emperor Zhenwu Statue (真武大帝像): In the center of the palace is the seated statue of Zhenwu, the Taoist god of martial arts and protection. On either side of the statue are the Golden Boy (金童) and Jade Maiden (玉女), holding sacred books and seals, respectively.

Copper Statues of the Water and Fire Generals (水火二将): These statues, which hold flags and swords, stand on either side of the palace.

Plaque Inscribed by Emperor Kangxi (清康熙皇帝): On the back wall, a gold plaque bearing the inscription “Golden Light Mysterious Appearance” (金光妙相) was personally inscribed by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty.

Cultural Significance

Purpose and Beliefs

The Golden Palace was originally constructed as part of the grand project by Emperor Yongle to promote Taoism and celebrate the belief in Zhenwu, who is considered the guardian deity of the north. The palace served as a site for Taoist rituals and a center of worship for the followers of the Wudang Taoist tradition.

Legends and Myths

Numerous legends are associated with the Golden Palace. One popular myth is the story of the “Sweating Statue”: before a heavy rainfall, droplets of water are said to appear on the statue of Zhenwu, as if it were sweating.

Another famous legend is the “Sea Horse Spitting Mist”: During summer, a golden sea horse positioned on the roof is said to spout mist, foretelling a coming storm.

The most dramatic legend is the “Thunder and Fire Trial”: During thunderstorms, large fireballs reportedly roll around the Golden Palace, creating loud explosive sounds and flashes of lightning.

These phenomena have fascinated visitors and inspired much folklore and scientific investigation.

Historical Influence and Preservation

Cultural Impact

The Golden Palace’s influence extended beyond Wudang Mountain, inspiring similar structures in other parts of China. For example, in 1602, the Governor of Yunnan, Chen Yongbin, built a similar Zhenwu Temple (真武殿) in Kunming, which was also known as the Golden Palace.

In addition, the Emei Mountain Copper Palace (峨眉山铜殿), Tai Mountain Copper Palace (泰山铜殿), and Huoshan Mountain Copper Palace (霍山铜殿) all bear the architectural influence of the Golden Palace.

UNESCO World Heritage

In 1994, the Golden Palace, as part of the Wudang Mountain Ancient Architecture Group, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Protection Measures

Over the years, various measures have been taken to protect the Golden Palace from environmental damage and human interference. In 1961, it was designated a National Key Cultural Heritage Site. In 1980, lightning protection systems were installed on the structure to prevent damage from storms.

However, in 1958, the installation of lightning rods led to the loss of the “Thunder and Fire Trial” phenomenon, as the lightning strikes became more frequent and damaged parts of the temple, including the parental hall (父母殿). Additionally, a thousand-year-old pine tree was also lost due to the added protection.

Main Attractions of Golden Palace

It is the symbol of Wudang Mountain. It represents the heyday and lofty position of Taoism in the ancient royal system. Standing in front of the golden temple, tourists can have a bird’s eye view of Wudang mountain. The majestic mountains are solid, and the worship and sacred atmosphere make this place the holiest place in Wudang Mountain. The golden hall was first cast part by part and then riveted and welded together. This connection is accurate and complete without any casting or gouging marks. Despite more than 500 years of natural erosion and lightning attacks, the palace is still resplendent and magnificent, as if it were new, and is regarded as a pearl in the history of ancient Chinese architecture and casting technology. There is a bronze statue of Zhenwu in the Golden Hall. This is another name for the Northern Emperor, a popular Taoist god. More gilded bronze statues stood around the statue. Between them, statues and halls represent the best bronze wares of the Ming Dynasty.

Best Time to Travel Golden Palace

The best time to pay a visit is in March to May & September to November.

Wuhan has a monsoon (humid) climate in the northern subtropics, which is characterized by abundant rainfall, sufficient heat, the same season of rain and heat, the same season of light and heat, the same season of winter and Leng Xia heat, and distinct seasons. In spring, there is a temple fair on the 3rd of March in the Chinese lunar calendar, which is a good opportunity to experience the local culture. In autumn, Wudang International Tourism Festival is the best time to learn Wudang traditional culture.

How to Get There

Location: Golden Palace, Tianzhu Peak, Wudang Mountain, Danjiangkou City, Shiyan, Hubei Province, China

Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Ticket Information: The Golden Palace is part of the Wudang Mountain Scenic Area, so tickets for the area include access to the Golden Palace.

By train: from Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Wuhan or some other cities by train, get off at Wudang mountain station. Change to No.202 or 203 intercity bus and go directly to the scenic spot.

Take a bus:

1. Starting from Shiyan: No.202 intercity bus can take tourists from Shiyan Railway Station to the mountain in 70 minutes.
2. From Xi ‘an: There are three direct tour buses to the scenic spot every day. It takes about 4 hours for a coach to leave Xi ‘an coach station opposite Xi ‘an railway station. the fare is CNY 111.5 yuan. The other two long-distance buses depart from coach station at Sanfu bay at 8:00 and 13:00 respectively, which takes about 4.5 hours and costs CNY 159 yuan. They all reached coach station 400 meters (440 yards) west of the entrance to Wudang mountain.
3. Starting from Wuhan: There is a through bus at Jinjiadun bus station, which starts at 13:40 every day. It takes about 6 hours and costs 179 yuan per person

Flying: Tourists can fly from Xi ‘an, Tianjin, Kunming, Wuhan and Hangzhou to Wudang Mountain Airport. Then take a taxi to reach the mountain at a cost of 60-80 yuan RMB.

Useful Travel Tips

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Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge

East Lake in Wuhan

Guiyuan Temple in Wuhan

Yellow Crane Tower in Wuhan

Hubei Provincial Museum

Edited by Doreen/张洋