Academy of Genuine Wudang Taoist KungFu - Scenery

     Betelnut Temple, on the road from Crow Hill to the Golden Peak, built in the tenth year of Yongle Emperor in Ming Dynasty, is the biggest one among the 16 temples at that time in Wudang Mountains. Now there still reserving the Grand Hall, Side Hall, Wing-rooms, Mountain gate and Palace Walls.
     There is a close relationship between Betelnut Temple and the story of Zhenwu's austerity practice. People said that when Zhenwu was practicing austerity, he wanted to give up and get away from the mountains. On the half way he met an old lady pretended by the God of Purple Cloud, who told him that perseverance spells success, and inspired him. He came back to continue his practice, when he passed here again, he broke off one plum branch and stuck it into a betelnut tree, and said, "If I can achieved the success, please blossom." Later when he succeed, there were flowers truly, and then it  fruited on the plum branch.
     Betelnut tree, the rare plant in Wudang Mountains, had a very high reputation in Ming Dynasty. During the years of Yongle, the Taoist Li-Suxi transplanted them into the royal court and was awarded by the emperor. Then the emperor ordered to build Betelnut Temple. It was said that the fruits were not only delicious but also useful to heal diseases and prolong the lifespan. So the emperor ordered to protect the fruits and make them the tributess to the royal court, and also used them to award his outstanding officials who regarded a betelnut as a political credit and were happy at it in all their lives. But later, betelnut trees died away and became a mystery for the comers to resolve.
     Now, there are statues of Zhenwu, Jade Emperor and other officials in the Betelnut Temple.