武当山

武当山，又名太和山、谢罗山,古有“太岳”、“玄岳”、“大岳”之称。位于湖北省西北部的十堰市丹江口境内, 属大巴山东段，主峰天柱峰，海拔1612米。武当山背倚苍莽千里的神农架原始森林，面临碧波万顷的丹江口水库（中国南水北调中线工程取水源头），是联合国公布的世界文化遗产地、国家重点风景名胜区、道教名山和武当拳发源地。

Wudang Mountain

Wudang Mountain, also called Taihe Mountain (Supreme H armony Mountain) and Xieluo Mountain, and named in ancient times as Tai Mountain ( Supreme Mountain), Xuan Mountain (Mystery Mountain) and Da Mountain (Great Mountain), is located in Danjiangkou, Shiyan City, a northwestern city of Hubei Province. It is a part of eastern range of Daba Mountain and rises to 1,612 meters at Tianzhu Peak, the highest point in Wudang. This mountain, backed by about one thousand li vast primeval forest in Shenlongjia and faced with wide-stretching green Danjiangkou Reservoir (the source of the middle line south-to-north water diversion), is declared as one of World Cultural Heritage by United Nations, and is taken as a famous scenic spot in China, a famous mountain for Taoism and the cradle of Wudang Boxing.

武当山不仅拥有奇特绚丽的自然景观，而且拥有丰富多彩的人文景观。这里气候温暖湿润﹐年降水量900～1200毫米﹐原生植被属北亚热带常绿阔叶﹑落叶阔叶混合林，药用植物达400多种。  

Wudang Mountain boasts the rich and colorful human landscape as well as the strange and gorgeous natural scenery. It has a warm and humid climate and rejoices in an annual rainfall of 900-1,200mm. Native vegetation is classified as broadleaf evergreen forest of northern subtropical area and mixed forest of deciduous and broadleaf trees. There are over 400 medical plants in the mountain.

武当山古建筑群以规模宏大、气势雄伟著称于世。1994年12月，武当山古建筑群被联合国科教文组织列入《世界文化遗产名录》。

Wudang Mountain is famous all over the world for its huge and grand ancient architectural complex. In December, 1994, UNESCO declared the ancient architectural complex as a world heritage site and included it in World Cultural Heritage List.

武当山古建筑起源追溯很早。秦汉时，就有许多隐士、道众到此结茅为庵。唐贞观年间（627－649年），唐太宗敕建五龙祠。宋真宗时，升五龙祠为五龙观；宋宣和年间（1119－1125年），敕建紫霄宫。元代建成9宫8观。明永乐年间，永乐皇帝朱棣遣隆平侯张信、驸马都尉沐昕、礼部侍郎金纯等率军民夫匠30多万人，用12年时间，在武当山建成9宫9观等33处建筑群。明成化、嘉靖年间，武当山诸建筑又有所扩建和增建，使武当山成为当时全国最大的道场。据不完全统计，明代武当山有各种建筑500多处、2万多间。清代至民国，这些建筑或毁于兵火，或遭破坏，或坍塌。1949年新中国成立后，党和政府对武当山古建筑采取了一系列保护措施。湖北省政府把武当山古建筑列为全省重点文物保护单位；金殿、紫霄宫、“治世玄岳”石牌坊、南岩宫、玉虚宫遗址等被列为国家重点文物保护单位。

   The ancient architecture can be traced back to very early times. In Qin Empire (221 B.C.—206 B.C.) and Han dynasty (206 B.C-A.D 220), there were many hermits and Taoists coming here to build thatched houses for the temples. In Tang Dynasty, during Zhenguan period (618-649), Emperor, Taizong, named Li Shimin, issued an order to build Wulong Memorial Hall (Five-dragon Memorial Hall). In the period ruled by Emperor Zhenzong in Song Dynasty (960-1279), Wulong Memorial Hall were improved and named as Wulong Temple (Five-dragon Temple). During Xuanhe Period (1119-1125) of Song Dynasty, the emperor, Huizong, issued a decree to build Zixiao Palace (Purple Palace). In Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368), 9 palaces and 8 temples were completed. During Yongle period(1403-1425) of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Emperor, Zhudi, sent Zhang Xin(a feudal lord in Longping), Mu Xin (Fuma Duwei, a command-escort in charge of horses pulling the imperial carriage)), and Jin Chun ( vice minister, second in rank to Shangshu or minister) to lead more than 300,000 soldiers and people for the construction of palaces and temples. It took them 12 years to finish nine palaces and nine temples, in 33 architectural complexes. In Chenghua Period (1465-1488) and Jiajing Period (1522-15670) of Ming Dynasty, all the buildings were enlarged and built out. The enlargement and improvement made Wudang Mountain become the biggest ritual place all over China. According to statistics, in Ming Dynasty, there were over 500 buildings with different styles and more than 20,000 rooms in Mount Wudang. From Qing Dynasty (1616-1911) to Republic of China (1912), the buildings here were destroyed in the war, or wrecked in disaster. Sometimes they collapsed. After the founding of People’s Republic of China on October 1^st, 1949, people’s government and Communist Party of China have taken a series of measures to protect Wudang Architectural Complex. Hubei Provincial Government declared it as Key Historical Sites under the protection of Hubei province. Golden Palace, Zixiao (Purple Heaven) Palace, Golden Palace, Zixiao (Purple Heaven) Palace, Large Stone Archway inscribed by such four Chinese Characters as Zhi Shi Xuan Yue (Mountain of Mystery for the Peace of Times), Palace of Rocks in Southern Cliff and Yuxu (Jade Emptiness) Palace are designated as Key Historical Sites under state protection.

武当山古建筑群是根据《真武经》中“真武修真”的神话来设计布局的，突出了真武信仰的主题。在《真武经》中，真武的出生地为静乐国，因此，在均州城外建有静乐宫；五龙、紫霄、南岩为真武修炼之地；玉虚宫，因真武被封为“玉虚师相”而得名；元和观、回龙观、回心庵、磨针井、太子坡、龙泉观、上下十八盘、天津桥、九渡涧等，无不与“真武修真”的神话有关。这样就营造了一种浓厚的宗教气氛，使朝山香客一进入武当山，就沉浸在“真武修真”的神话氛围中，潜移默化地加深了对真武的信仰和崇敬。

Wudang Mountain Ancient Architectural Complex is designed according to the legend of Zhenwu (Mysterious Warrior)’s Cultivation of Perfection in The Book on Zhenwu, highlighting the theme of the belief in Zhenwu. In The Book on Zhenwu, Zhenwu was born in Jingle(Peaceful Joy) State. That’s why Jingle Palace was built outside Junzhou City. Wulong( Five Dragon) Temple, Zixiao(Purple) Palace and Palace of Rocks in Southern Cliff are the places for Zhenwu to cultivate perfection. Yuxu(Jade Emptiness) Palace was famous because Zhenwu was raised to a title of Yuxu Shixiang( a minister of Jade Emptiness Palace). The names of such places as Yunahe (Primordial Harmony) Temple, Huilong (Rotating Dragon) Temple,    Huixin (Mind-Turning- to –True- Way) Temple, Mozhen (Needle-Grinding) Well, Taizi Po( The Crown Prince Hall), Longquan( Dragon Fountain) Temple, Shiba Pan( 18 Twists), Tianjin Qiao( Heavenly Ford Bridge), Nine-Ferry Stream are all involved in the myth of Zhenwu(Perfect Warrior)’s Cultivation of Perfection. Because of the above-mentioned, Wudang Mountain is filled with religious atmosphere. Upon entering the Mountain, all the pilgrims and incense-burners are immersed in the religious atmosphere of Zhenwu’s Cultivation of Perfection and they will imperceptibly have greater belief in and greater worshipping of Zhenwu(Perfect Warrior).

武当山古建筑群的整体布局是以天柱峰金殿为中心，以官道和古神道为轴线，向四周辐射，采取皇家建筑法式统一设计布局。整个建筑规模宏大，气势雄伟，主题突出，井然有序，构成了一个完美的整体，堪称我国古代建筑的杰作。

All the ancient buildings, with diffusive roles and imperial complex styles, center on the Golden Palace on Tianzhu peak and lie on the axis of Guan(Officers) Paths and Ancient Holy Paths. With the prominent theme building, they are built on a grand scale and in a splendid and orderly style to form a perfect unity. And thus they are the masterpieces in the history of Chinese architecture.

武当山古建筑群还体现了道教“崇尚自然”的思想，保持了武当山的自然原始风貌。工匠们按照明成祖朱棣“相其广狭”、“定其规制”、“其山本身分毫不要修动”的原则来设计布局。营建武当山的材料不是就地取材，而是从陕西、四川等地采买运来。在营建过程中，充分利用峰峦的高大雄伟和岩涧的奇峭幽邃，使每个建筑单元都建造在峰、峦、岩、涧的合适位置上，其间距的疏密、规模的大小，都布置得恰到好处，使建筑与周围环境有机地融为一体。

The ancient buildings here also demonstrate Taoists’ nature-loving idea and the natural and primeval air of Mount Wudang are well preserved. They were built according to such principles made by Zhu Di, an emperor in Ming Dynasty, as perfect combination of narrowness and width, the regulatory system for the whole planning, and no subtle change of the mountain itself. The building materials did not come from the local place, but from Sichuan and Shanxi province. In the course of construction, the full use was made of great and magnificent peaks, strange cliffs and deep valleys to put every unit of the buildings into the proper place on the peaks, over the cliffs and in the valleys. The density and scale of all the buildings are perfectly arranged to constitute a perfect unity of human buildings and surrounding landscapes.

综观全山整个建筑，荟萃了我国古代优秀建筑法式，集中体现了皇宫的宏伟壮丽、道教的神奇玄妙、园林的幽静典雅等特色，形成了丰富多彩的传统建筑风格。明代诗人洪翼圣诗曰：“五里一庵十里宫，丹墙翠瓦望玲珑。楼台隐映金银气，林岫回环画镜中。”现当代许多建筑专家考察武当山后称赞说：武当山古建筑群是我国古代劳动人民在建筑史上的一个伟大的创举，是古代规划、设计、建筑的典范，也是世界建筑史上的奇迹。1982年，国务院公布武当山为全国重点风景名胜区时，称武当山古建筑群“工程浩大，工艺精湛，成功的体现了‘仙山琼阁’的意境，犹如我国古建筑成就的展览”。

Considering the whole layout, the ancient architecture is a conglomeration of various excellent building styles in ancient China. All the ancient buildings are characterized by the imperial magnificence, Taoism’s mystery and wonder and the garden’s seclusion and elegance. In Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Hong Yisheng, a poet, said “One temple, every five li away and one palace every ten li away, pavilions with red-painted walls and green glazed tiles look dreamy and dainty. Terrace and pavilions are hidden and sought in golden air. Trees and mountains wind here and there as if in a picture. Many architectural experts have made an on-the-spot investigation into the ancient buildings and made such complimentary remarks as “It is a great engineering undertaking in the history of Chinese architecture for the ancient people to build Wudang ancient architectural complex. The ancient buildings here set an outstanding example for planning, designing and construction in the architectural circle. They are also a wonder in the history of global architecture.” In 1982, when the State Council declared Wudang Mountain the Key Scenic Spot under state protection, the ancient building complex was praised as “the project on a gigantic scale, the craftsmanship with exquisite care, the successful representation of the artistic conception of fairyland and magnificent palaces and a true exposition of architectural achievements in ancient China.”

（武当览胜）武当山金顶

金顶位于海拔1612米的武当山天柱峰之巅。金顶景区包括中观、黄龙洞、朝天宫、古神道上的一天门、二天门、三天门和太和宫的金殿、皇经堂、紫金城、朝拜殿，以及元代古铜殿等古代建筑。这里保存着大量的各朝代制造的像器、供器、法器等文物珍品，是中华民族智慧和古代科技水平的历史见证。

Golden Palace (a place of scenic beauty)

The peak is 1,612 meters above sea level. The scenic spot includes such ancient buildings as Zhongguan (Middle Temple), Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Cave, Chaotian( Skyward) Palace, the Golden Palace, Huangjing(Imperial Cannon) Hall, Zijin(Purple Gold) Wall, Pilgrim’s Palace of the respective First Heaven Gate, Second Heaven Gate, Third Heaven Gate and Supreme Harmony Palace along the ancient holy paths. In this buildings, such rare historical relics as metal images, offerings and ritual utensils which were made in different dynasties are still well preserved here. They are the historical witness of national wisdom of ancient Chinese people and scientific and technological levels in ancient China.

天柱峰有一座铜铸鎏金建筑，即武当山金殿，被誉为“古今天下第一殿”。金殿建于明永乐十四年，总重为90余吨，共用去360余公斤的黄金。

On the top of Tianzhu Peak stands a gold-plated building out of bronze, that is, the Golden Palace. It is recognized as the best palace all over the world. It was built in the 14^th year of Emperor Yongle Reign (1403-1425) of Ming Dynasty. It weighs a total of 90-odd tons and is made of 360-odd kilograms of gold.

在武当山金顶，极目四方，八百里武当秀丽风光尽收眼底，群峰起伏，云海奔涌，众峰拱拥，八方来朝，神奇地渲染着神权的威严和皇权的至高无上。每年夏季雷雨季节，武当山就会出现雷击金殿的奇观。适时，一声声天崩地裂的巨响震耳欲聋，雷电划破长空，如利剑直劈金殿。刹那间，金光万道，直射云霄，其景惊心动魄，神奇壮观。而金殿历经600年雷电炼击，至今仍金光灿灿。

On the top of Golden Palace, when you look all around, all the beautiful landscapes of 800-li Mount Wudang come into your view. All the peaks rise and fall with the movement of your eyes, a sea of cloud is surging far and near, and all the mountains stands up in a vaulting and embracing manner. All the peaks in all directions rise up to the Golden Palace as if many pilgrims come here to worship, which highlights the awful majesty of divine rights and the supreme authority of the emperor. In every summer, when a wonder of thunder-struck Golden Palace appears, the deafening sounds happens, like the shock of earthquake, and the lightning blazes across the sky, as if the sharp sword rushes down to split the Golden Palace. For an instant, the rays of risen sun shine across the whole sky, which brings about a fine, breath-taking spectacle. The Golden Palace has been thunder-struck for a about 600 years, but it still glitters with gold.