Wudan Mountains
Sunday, July 27, 2008

We got up after a solid rest, not the beds at Hubei U. but they would make do. Hey a rhyme, not a rap, but a rhyme. Where I am going with this? Well I learned today that the very mountain were are on is the place where some major components of Kung Fu was founded. Some of these founders were from Shaolin School and the other from the Wudan School. The latter group was the inspiration for none other than the hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan. The ending scene from Ang Lee film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was filmed at Wudan monastery. Another note on the Wu-Tang is that the number of MC’s (AKA rap singers) is nine, a very important number in Chinese culture. Who would have thought that lessons in China would give me some insight on ODB, the lead singer of the Wu-Tang Clan?

Walkway up to the first temple of the day

Wow, did I get off topic. Anyway, we first went to a Daoist temple that was gorgeous. It was a resting place of Mao’s Red Army troops in 1931. I believe this was during infamous Long March, when the Chang Kai Shek’s Guomingdang (Nationalist Army) was chasing the communists around the country. For those who care the Long March, was THE event that probably won over the hearts and minds of the peasants of China to the Chinese Communist Party.

Incense is burned here to honor the gods.

Focus, Pete! After touring the monastery we stopped for a simple tea ceremony/tasting at shop at the temple. Awesome! The tea was great, all of it. I think we tried about twenty different varieties. It was relaxing and yet another great experience. I apologize for the over use of my adjectives, there just aren’t enough for this trip.

Tea is served

After a tea party we took a roller coaster mountain ride on our bus and ended up at the foot of the largest peak of the Wudan Mountains and location of the Golden Hall. We rode a small cab like lift up the mountain, straight up the mountain. The ride lasted thirty minutes. Each time we thought we reached the last peak we kept going up. At one point we simply rode off into the mist. You could only see the cab right in front of you. It looked like cloud city in the Empire Strikes Back, all it was missing was some smooth Billy Dee as Lando. If you do not get that reference, brush up on your Star Wars. And again, I did have dates in high school, a bunch of them, as a matter of fact.

One of the Fulbrighters heading to Cloud City

Once we reached the top of the world, it seemed that we, we wait for it…, climbed more stairs. It was not disappointing. The sights were from an Indiana Jones movie. The steps got so steep that the next step was above your waste. The cool mountain air and ancient sights made journey well worth the sweat. At every turn there was incense being offered to the gods. It added to mystical quality the mountain exuded. The amazing thing is the whole thing was built not by slave labor, my thought, but by Daoist monks. Wow. The Golden Hall was crowded but still amazing to see.

Burning incense

One could easily argue that the Wudan Mountains was a match to the Great Wall. I think they would lose but it would be a great conversation. The ride down the cable cars (two per car) was much more enjoyable for many of our group. My photographs do no justice to sights and views of the mountain and its temple.

View from near the top of Wudan Mountain

The locks represent people who have sealed their love. It is very good luck to have done this.

The view even higher

After lunch we were treated to lecture and demonstration of Martial Arts. We sipped our green tea and listened to the philosophy of their art form. The philosophy is not outward battle but an inner discipline that guides and provides balance to your life. There were some demonstrations don. What was cool is that this was arranged by one our professors At Hubei U. who is a friend of one the instructors on the mountain. Apparently, Wudan Mountain is to martial arts study as the Ivy League is to American Universities.

A little green tea and martial arts

A little green tea.

We winded the hairpin turns down the mountain to the station where we caught our train. It was right on time. The train was packed with humanity. People were everywhere and they seemed to keep coming and coming. It looked like it was going to be a miserable trip back after such a relaxing and enlightening trip to the mountains. Wrong.

I was on a middle bunk, comical enough. Myself and Sharon, on a middle bunk across from me, watched the Chinese countryside roll by our window. We saw water buffaloes, lone farmers, rivers, and rice fields as far the eye could see. It was sooo relaxing. I finally decided to finish my book and catch some sleep, when we were joined by these two little girls who were sleeping underneath us with there mom and grandmother respectively.

Watch the butterfly song

They were hilarious. One them would climb the ladder to my bunk and spy on me and “flirt”. I snapped a pic of her with my camera. She laughed and giggled, she was a total “ham”. She posed for every shot from now on with ever present victory symbol. Well this goofing around when on for hours. Pure entertainment. At one pint when I was reading she started grabbing my toes from underneath my bunk. The mom was super nice and we talked as much as three people who do not understand each other can.

My little friend sneaking up on me

Our whole area, still crammed like sardines, was in on the fun. One business guy played with the girls also. Eventually her little friend woke up and they put on signing and dancing exhibition. We all loved it. Sharon shared some of her peanut butter with them. After initially being apprehensive, the soon devoured it and wanted more. They then gave us some of their yogurt. The simplest things reveal the character of people. The people of China are caring, thoughtful, and a joy to spend time with.

The two little girls, they are freinds, the mom, and the other girl's grandmother

Sadly the train ride ended but it was great to get back to the city of Wuhan and our home at good old Hubei U.

Click on this for more photos and videos of the day, there are some great ones
I am looking forward to heading back to family and friends in the states but man what a wonderful experience.