Academy of Genuine Wudang Taoist KungFu - Zixiao zone

    On the third group of stone steps after entering Purple Cloud Palace, people will see the second Hall of Purple Cloud Palace, i.e. Worshiping Hall. Worshiping Hall is also called Shifang Hall, because formerly the location was inhabited by a thick jungle (Shifang Conglin in Chinese. Shifang means all directions) which is a boarding and lodging place for all Taoists from far distan-ce. It is said that during Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A. D.) the pilgrims and the pious believers could only worship the God Zhenwu in the hall, while The Great Hall of Purple Cloud Palace was exclusively for the emperor to pray and sacrifice. That is why this Hall is called Worshiping Hall. Another outstanding function of the Hall was to treat the traveling Taoists from the outside World, that is to say, to accommodate the Taoist from Shifang (everywhere).
   The Shifang Hall was built in the tenth ruling year of the third emperor of Ming Dynasty (1412A.D.). The sidewall of the Hall is like a "Ba"(Chinese character eight) in shape. On the wall, the jade flowers and the rare birds are decorated. Under the wall, the basic glazed bottom is set. Inside the Halls a brass gold-plating casting image is ablated in the middle part of the hall.
It is recorded that Wudang Mountains became the center of the Taoism during the Ming Dynasty. There were many Taoists continuously accommodating on Mount Wudang. Therefore, the Shifang Hall was set up in order to treat the traveling Taoists. Historically, Quanzhen School had made the principle that " Taoist from far distance are exempt from the pay for food supplies and firewood." That is to say, if accepted by the local Taoists' organization, traveling Taoists can eat and sleep in the Shifang Hall for a long time. But the process of being accepted was very strict, for regulations and the habits concerning how to walk, salute and talk, even the content of talking would be checked. This checking was just like the modern examination to distinguish fake Taoist.
    In front of the Shifang Hall, people may overlook Imperial Stele Pavilion, the Green Dragon and the White Tiger Hall, the Pearl Peak and the Imperially Bestowed Sword Platform. Looking around, the old cypress, plank road built along the cliff, running water and green mountains are like a fascinating picture. The verve and omniscience of imperial architecture create an atmosphere of the piety from the bottom of your heart.