* prices for double rooms are per person and are only available to students travelling together
Wudang Daoist Traditional
Kungfu Academy
Train in Wudang
Study Authentic Wudang Martial Arts on Sacred Wudang Mountain
Welcome to the Wudang Daoist Traditional Kungfu Academy (WDTKA) — the original Wudang kungfu school on Wudang Mountain. Since 2004, students from over 50 countries have traveled here to study authentic internal martial arts under the guidance of Master Yuan Xiu Gang, a 15th generation disciple of the Wudang San Feng Sect and an ordained Daoist priest.
Training at WDTKA is not a retreat. It is not a vacation. It is a genuine immersion into the living tradition of Wudang martial arts — the same tradition that gave birth to Tai Chi, Qigong, and Daoist internal alchemy over 800 years ago. Whether you stay for two weeks or two years, you will train on the same sacred mountain where Zhang San Feng himself cultivated the arts we teach today.
What You Will Learn
Tai Chi / TaiJi
Wudang Taiji is the original source of all Tai Chi practice. Unlike the simplified forms taught in parks and gyms around the world, our Taiji curriculum preserves the complete internal system as passed down through the Wudang San Feng lineage.
You will learn Wuji standing meditation as the foundation, progress through the Taiji 13 form (the original 13-posture form created on Wudang Mountain), advance to Taiji 28, and ultimately practice the complete Taiji 108 form. Along the way, you will study push hands (Tui Shou), Taiji sword, and the deeper principles of yielding, redirecting, and cultivating internal energy.
Wushu / Kung Fu
Wudang internal martial arts are defined by the principle of softness overcoming hardness. Our Wushu curriculum teaches you to move with circular, flowing power — the same principles that make Wudang Kung Fu one of the three great internal martial arts systems of China.
Core empty-hand forms include Taiyi Wuxing Quan (Five Element Fist), Bagua Zhang (Eight Trigrams Palm), and Xuanwu Quan (Black Warrior Fist). Weapon forms cover the iconic Wudang Sword, staff, fan, and horsetail whisk. Each form is taught progressively, with emphasis on proper structure, breath coordination, and martial application.
Qigong
Qigong is the foundation of all Wudang practice. Through specific breathing techniques, postures, and movements, Qigong strengthens your body from the inside out — building vitality, improving circulation, and calming the mind.
Our Qigong curriculum includes Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocades), Wu Qin Xi (Five Animals Qigong), Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation), and advanced Daoist breathing methods. Morning Qigong practice at 6:00 AM is the way every training day begins at WDTKA, and for many students it becomes the most transformative part of their experience.
Meditation & Internal Alchemy
Wudang Neidan — internal alchemy — is the highest level of Daoist practice. Through seated and standing meditation, you learn to cultivate Jing (Essence), Qi (Vital Energy), and Shen (Spirit) under the direct guidance of Master Yuan, an ordained Daoist priest.
From basic breath awareness to the advanced stages of the Small Heavenly Cycle (Xiao Zhou Tian) and Large Heavenly Cycle (Da Zhou Tian), our meditation program offers a systematic path of internal cultivation that is rarely taught outside of Wudang Mountain.
A Day in the Life at WDTKA
Training at WDTKA follows a structured daily schedule that has been refined over two decades. The rhythm of the day mirrors the natural cycles that Daoist practice is built upon — early rising, disciplined practice, nourishing meals, and evening stillness.
Typical Daily Schedule:
Item | Time |
|---|---|
Morning Class (Mon. ~ Sat.) | 06:30 -- 07:30 |
Breakfast | 08:30 |
Main Class 1 | 09:00 -- 11:30 |
Lunch | 11:50 |
Main Class 2 | 15:00 -- 17:00 |
Dinner | 17:30 |
Meditation (Mon. ~ Fri.) | 18:30 -- 19:30 |
Schedules vary slightly with the seasons. Saturday is Evaluation Day, when students perform what they have learned for Master Yuan. Sunday is a rest day.
Who Can Train at WDTKA?
Everyone is welcome. You do not need any prior martial arts experience. Many of our most dedicated students arrived with zero background in martial arts and went on to become skilled practitioners.
Beginners build strong foundations through basic training — stretching, stance work, coordination drills, and introductory forms. Our coaches work with you individually to ensure proper form and prevent injury.
Experienced martial artists find that Wudang's internal approach deepens their existing practice. If you hold belts in other styles, you will discover new dimensions of power, sensitivity, and understanding that only internal training can provide.
Older students and those with health concerns benefit enormously from Qigong and Taiji practice. The gentle, internal nature of Wudang arts makes them accessible and therapeutic for people of all ages and conditions.
Long-term students who stay for months or years have the opportunity to learn the complete Wudang system — from foundation to advanced forms, from empty-hand to weapons, from physical practice to internal alchemy.
Accommodation on Wudang Mountain
The academy is located next to YuZhenGong Temple in the HuangJiaGou area of Wudang Mountain. We offer five types of rooms to suit different budgets and preferences:​
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Single Room — Private bathroom, air conditioning, desk and wardrobe
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Double Room — Two beds, private bathroom, ideal for students traveling together
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Deluxe Room — Larger space with upgraded furnishings
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Ultra Luxury Room — Premium accommodation on Wudang Mountain
All rooms include three meals per day (vegetarian-friendly, locally sourced). The common room offers free Wi-Fi, a library, and a space to relax between training sessions.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at WDTKA includes training, accommodation, and three meals per day. We offer both short-term and long-term pricing, with significant discounts for longer stays.
Long-term tuition (per month) starts from ¥11,700 RMB for a single room on a one-year plan. Short-term tuition (per day) starts from ¥610 RMB for a simple room on a three-week stay. The longer you stay, the lower the daily cost.
We accept payment by wire transfer in USD or EUR, and also accept payment upon arrival (subject to availability).
How to Get to Wudang
Most international students arrive through Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, or Wuhan, then take a domestic flight or train to Wudangshan.
By plane: Fly to Wudangshan Airport (WDS). Daily flights connect from Beijing, Shanghai, Wuhan, and Chengdu. From the airport, it is a 40-minute taxi ride to the academy.
By train: The Wudangshan railway station connects to all major Chinese cities. High-speed trains from Wuhan take approximately 4 hours. Sleeper trains from Beijing take about 20 hours.
Once you confirm your travel plans, we can arrange a taxi pickup from the airport or train station to the school (approximately ¥100 ~ 120 RMB).
What Our Students Say
"This past year in Wudangshan has by far been one of the most difficult and yet enriching experiences of my life. Kungfu is not just about fighting — it is about the cultivation of the mind, body, and spirit."
— Mario Papadopoulos, United Kingdom
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"Being in the school learning internal martial arts may have been one of the most satisfactory decisions I have ever made in my life. The more I practiced, the more I glimpsed the Tao."
— Edgardo Gonzalez, Chile
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"After practicing various styles of Chinese martial arts for years, I arrived at Master Yuan's school for the first time in 2009. I was impressed by the rhythm of the training and the focus of the students."
— Alex Mieza, Spain
Ready to Begin Your Training?
Studying at WDTKA is a life-changing experience. Whether you seek better health, deeper self-knowledge, or authentic martial arts mastery, your path begins here on Wudang Mountain.
The registration process is simple:
Choose your travel dates and duration
Contact us to confirm availability
Make a deposit to reserve your space
Apply for your Chinese visa (we provide the invitation letter)
Travel to Wudang and begin your training
We recommend registering at least one month in advance, or two months during the summer season.
