Wudang culture popular around the world

Wudang Mountains in Hubei province [Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

The Wudang Mountains in Hubei province, one of the world's cultural heritages and a base for cross-Straits cultural exchange, enjoys popularity far and wide for its distinctive culture.

Wudang culture, featuring Taoist culture, tai chi health culture and tea culture, is a highlight of the mountains, as well as an important part of Chinese traditional culture. It is broad, extensive and penetrated with diverse art forms. Its influence has been expanded across the world thanks to various activities.

Tai chi quan (shadow boxing) has come to epitomize Wudang culture. Wudang's Tai Chi Kung Fu Troupe has entertained domestic and overseas visitors during various activities, such as a kung fu show at the 2014 Moscow International Military Music Festival on Aug 30, which wowed the audience on site. The martial arts performances also amazed visitors when debuting at the 65th Hanover Commercial Vehicle Auto Show on Sept 24.

From Oct 15 to Nov 5, 2014, the 600-year-old Xuan Wu (one of the highest-ranking Taoist deities) statue toured Taiwan, which helped enhance cultural communication between Wudang and Taiwan.

Over the years, Wudang has been striving to build an international tourist attraction with a focus on producing videos, films and TV series. A promotion video of the Wudang Mountains was displayed to passers-by in New York's Times Square throughout the year from March 11, 2013, to March 10, 2014. A Wudang-related TV program was also on air at the Chinese International Channel of China Central Television (CCTV). A string of movies and TV dramas, including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and White Haired Witch were shot in Wudang, bringing the glamorous scenery to international tourists.

In addition, Wudang has built a tourism development center, martial arts exchange center, Tai Chi Theatre and an exhibition hall in an attempt to promote Wudang culture and tourism all over the world. Some activities, including the Wudang International Photography Competition, Tai Chi Cultural Festival, Wudang Cultural Forum and International Traditional Martial Arts Festival, also added clout to Wudang culture.

The mountains receive more than 200,000 overseas tourists every year, and annually, 7,000 foreign visitors come here to learn martial arts. Wudang has attracted more than 100,000 kung fu lovers at home and abroad since over 10 countries around the world have built Wudang kung fu clubhouses.

The brand of Wudang culture continues to rise in value. It has become the first option for Shiyan, or even Hubei province, to recommend at foreign cultural exchanges. It also plays an increasingly significant role in the field of tourism, economy and trade.

Contributed by Wang Liang and Jiang Yuanbo from Wudang Mountains Tourism Bureau