HUANGHELOU
(Yellow Crane Tower)
Located on the south bank of the Yangzi River, the
Yellow Crane Tower is perhaps China's most
badly treated historical
monument. It is said to have been built
in 333 during the Three Kingdoms period. In the
centuries that followed, it was destroyed
and rebuilt several times. In history, the tower inspired many poets and
artists. It was last rebuilt in 1983.
WUDANG
MOUNTAINS
A trip to Wudan Mountains is a very worthwhile
outing from Wuhan. Located in western Hubei, Wudang
is an ancient sacred Taoist shrine.
The
first Taoist temple there, the "Five Dragon
Temple, " was built 1,300 years ago in the
Tang Dynasty. In the 15th century, the Ming court
sent 300,000 soldiers and workers there to build
160 monasteries, temples, pavilions and other
structures. It took more than 10 years to complete
the construction. It then became a major center of Taoism. Although many
of the old structures deteriorated in the ensuing centuries,
there are still many well-preserved temples.
The
mountains are also linked with a school of martial
arts. It is said that Taiji boxing was invented
there by a Taoist priest.