Wudan Mountains
Saturday, July 26, 2008

I week from now I will be heading to the Shanghai airport for home. The month has gone by so fast. I con not believe the things I have learned and seen. So cool. We have seen more of China in our three weeks than most Chinese see in a lifetime. I am so appreciative of Dr. Kung, the Confucius Institute, and the Fulbright program for this experience. I could never replicate this traveling on my own.

Doors to a Daoist Shrine

This morning we woke up early checked out of our rooms (only for a couple of days, we are coming back Sunday night). We were leaving by train, soft seats, for the Wudan Mountains in the northern Hubei province. Minnie, one of the people in Wuhan who work for the university and assist us with everything we need, had already picked up the tickets.

The view from my bed/seat on the train to the Mountains

I love traveling by train so the prospect of a five hour train ride did nothing but thrill me. The trains were great. They had six bed/seats per open cabin that stacked three beds to a side. Our whole group had bottom berths. They were comfortable, so comfortable in fact that I slept a solid three hours of the trip. I alternated between reading, snacking, Ipod, and sleeping. So it was a Saturday not unlike most of my Saturdays.

When we arrived in the city of Wudan our coach bus met us and we took it up the mountain. Now when I mean up, I mean straight up. The road wound like a serpent up the mountain. The views were as breathtaking as some of the turns. It was much akin to a roller coaster.

Not a bad little walk

We had several stops up the mountain. The first was a beautiful path through woods and over mountain streams. There were flowers and animals of all varieties everywhere you looked. One of the things this area is famous for are the monkeys that are native to the mountain. Unfortunately the only monkeys we saw were domesticated. We even saw a short little show they put on, I saw a monkey catch and dunk a little basketball. I missed most of that show because I took a longer walk along the path. It was too nice to miss. The sky was blue and the air was clean, much appreciated by the group.

We walked over these falls

Here is a link to a great article in the LA Times about the Wudan Mountains

Flowers and a butterfly in the mountains

Once our poor guide was able to corral all us together, teachers are notoriously the worst listeners; we walked to another area to watch a martial arts performance. It was nothing compared to my performance of the other day but it would do for entertainment. It was actually very nice. The martial arts moves were almost a ballet. I sat next to a serene lake and watched the exhibition until I nodded off. The more I nap the more I want to sleep. I guess the walking in the woods and the cool mountains breezes made for a good restful atmosphere.

Incense burner at the Nanyan Temple in the Wudan Mountains

We loaded up the bus and went even further up the mountain to a Daoist shrine that is something like seven hundred years old. It is in the middle of restoration so there was a lot of work going on at it. In a way it seeing the older more worn areas of the temple gave it a more authentic feel.

The roofs are usually red, a like the green better.

We got back on the bus and still went higher. I am not kidding here folks the views were spectacular and we were really up high. We finally arrived at the top and took a path to this Daoist Temple called the Nanyan Temple that was built right into the side of this mountain. So we took this path that was as arduous as it was stunning. There seemed to be as many steps as there are people in China. But after every turn or landing of steps there was some dazzling view of the mountain or temple. We finally reached the main part of the temple and the trip was worth it. In the side of the cliff there were rooms and worship areas.

The sky was clear we were literally in the clouds

What you have to appreciate is the fact it took us nearly three hours, by bus, to get the top. Can you imagine when there was note mechanized modes of transport. Holy crap, what kind of journey was that like? People still use the temple to pray in. Every spring people head to the temple to light incense on this spot so precarious that only in country free from the litigious west would let people climb out to this dangerous perch without a waiver form.

Stuff like this is around every corner

Despite the fact the temple is still used there are people hawking every kind of food, drink, and craft ware under the sun. They even have groups of guys who will transport you in a gondola like contraption. After hounding one of group members halfway up the steps he relented and let them carry him. I am big guy and so is my colleague and they got him up and down with no problems. Capitalism is alive and thriving in China.

After the steps I purchased a, “hen pijo” or cold beer. So I sat on a bench overlooking these magnificent mountain views and enjoyed a cold beer. Life is tough folks. After a nice dinner I called it night. Early rise in the morning.

More photos of the day, click HERE

Tai Chi, were it was invented on the Wudan Mountains