Over five thousand years ago, in ancient China, there was a Taoist immortal who was prince of Jingle state. When he was 15 he rejected his crown and journeyed to the Wudang Mountains, to what is now called Prince Slope, to cultivate himself under the guidance of the sage Zi Qi. The prince spent 42 years cultivating in the Wudang Mountains.  After overcoming many difficulties, unexpected hardships and through the revelations of a goddess, he floated up to heaven to enjoy eternal life.  He was bestowed with the title of Tai Yee immortal, and was later called Zhen Wu Greatness. Thereafter the Taoist immortal Zhen Wu shaped Wudang Mountains' culture as much as geology shaped their topography.

Over two thousand years ago, the great philosopher and preceptor of Chinese culture - Laozi and his disciple- Yixi Zhenren cultivated on Wudang Mountain, as a result Wudang Mountain is one of the earliest cradles of Taoism.

Over six hundred years ago, a legendary hero, Zhang Sanfeng created Wudang Nei Jia Quan (Internal Martial Arts) which placed Taiji Quan as the central component of internal martial arts making Wudang Mountain the birthplace of Nei jia Quan. Wudang Shan is known as the No. 1 Celestial Mountain in China and as the birthplace of Nei Jia Quan.

It covers an area of 312 square miles with an organized complex of ancient Taoist buildings including 8 palaces, 2 Taoist temples, 36 nunneries, 72 temples, 39 bridges and 12 pavilions, which represent the highest standards of Chinese art and architecture covering a period of nearly 1,000 years. It has such natural wonders as 72 peaks, 24 ravines, 11 caves, 9 springs, 3 pools, 9 wells, 10 peaks and 9 terraces. The highest peak and temple in the range is Jin Ding, which rises to an elevation of 1,612 meters.

In the late 1970s, China began its reform and open-door policy, and the ancient Chinese Taoist center became a Common Cultural Heritage of Mankind. The Wudang Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains, having been famous worldwide for its beauty, scale and grandeur, was recognized on December 17, 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and inscribed in the World Heritage List.

Many of the ancient buildings at Wudang were designed and planned according to the legend of Zhen Wu's cultivation, demonstrate traditional building skills, and reveal the emperors' rightful power and the great solemnity of Heaven. They demonstrate the Taoist reverence for nature, contribute great and beautiful royal palaces, mysterious and wonderful Taoism, quiet and classic gardens and other beautiful features. The ancient buildings reflect ancient designs, plans and architecture and are a wonder in the scope of the history of world architecture. The highly harmonious integration of buildings and natural sites surprises people from all over the world.