Our
weekends started very early. We took a five hour bus ride to the Wudang
Mountain (武当山) and we stayed there for two days one night. I
have heard of Wudang Mountain through various martial arts movie like Karate
Kids and The Heavenly Sword and The Dragon Sabre. I heard some history of
Wudang Mountain from my Father as well. The first beautiful scene I saw was ouptside
our hostel. An ‘egg yolk’ for my breakfast!
The five
hour bus ride was long and tiring. Most of us were sleeping in the bus. When we
reached, we had a 10-course lunch, 9 dishes and a soup. The 10-course meals
only appear in Wedding banquets in Singapore which is rare for us.
The Prince Slope is said to be the place where the Prince give up his status to pursue in practicing Wudang martial arts and Taoism. He is then bestowed the sacred title of ‘ZhenWu’ and that Wudang Mountain is named after him. The temple was built in such way to suit the mountain slope pattern and the zigzag walls that flow along the mountain surface.
After the
stairs, we come to see this Good Fortune, Prosperous and Longevity (福禄寿)
This Good
Fortune, Prosperous and Longevity are the highest state of a happy life. Hence
praying for good fortune, prosperity and longevity is a tradition culture of
Wudang Mountain which is a way to express wishes. We then proceed on to the
‘FuZhenDian’ (复真殿) which is a National Key Point Cultural Relic
Preservation.
We then
continue to look at the various temples and historical sites.
As we
walked, we come across a big water pot. There is also a statue of dragon in the
pot. It is said that if you tossed a coin into the water and the coin lands on
parts of the dragon statue, it will bring good fortune. Some of us tried it and
it was really hard to get as of refraction and reflection.
Walking
further, we come to this ancient building that is hand-made by the locals in
the olden days. It is very obvious as of the different lengths of the windows
that in the past there were no ruler or measuring tape for the locals to
measure the wood that is used to build the building.
Next on, we
went to the Purple Cloud Hall (紫霄殿).
Before we
enter the hall, we come across a small bridge. Below the bridge is a lake and
on the lake there is a statue of a snake on a tortoise. The ZhenWu Emperor is
standing on this tortoise and snake that symbolizes wiping of the vices in the
lower world. Again, we climbed up a flight of stairs to the Purple Cloud Temple.
It
is said that the Purple Cloud Temple is the best-preserved temple that still
keep its original flavor as it was in the Ming Dynasty. It is regarded as a
rare example for scenic researchers on the buildings of the Ming Dynasty. Above
the temple, there are 4 immortals that are protecting the temple, ensuring that
no devil is there to create troubles. The 4 immortals are said to be JiangZiYa’s
four sons. The sons asked JiangZiYa for a post in immortals and that JiangZiYa
put them on the Purple Cloud Temple to protect it and that tied them with metal
chains to the temple that prevent them from falling off the temple roof. (Two of them at the back, two at the front)
Following on, there is a wall with many carvings. These carvings indicate the various stories and blessings in the olden days which include blessing for those studying to be scholars and names of generals who had contributed to the country greatly to be blessed with good wishes.
Before
we leave the temple, I saw this male that is carrying bricks. It interests me
as only during the olden that people would carry things in the way he does
After
a long day we went to mid-mountain’s hotel for a rest. We unpack our belongings
and rest before dinner. Again, dinner was 10-course with 9 dishes and a soup. Since
afternoon, 50% of the dishes were all vegetables which are good for health and
especially when we are in a Taoism Mountain and they mostly eat vegetables to
keep healthy and strong.
After
dinner, my friends and I gather at my room to play and eat snack together, a bonding
time. We played UNO together where I keep losing all the way. Unlucky me! The
day ends where all my friends went back to their room and rest. J
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