Wudang Five Immortals Temple

Five Immortals Temple occupies a category of its own among the options available to foreign students in China.

It is the only place in the Wudang Mountains where foreigners can legally lodge and study Taoism and martial arts inside a temple — not in adjacent housing or a nearby school, but inside an active Taoist religious site on White Horse Mountain. This distinction matters both practically and atmospherically.

The temple is run by Abbot Li Song Feng, who personally teaches all course content. One foreign student who spent ten months living at the temple described it as the most genuinely traditional training environment they encountered during a year of training across China.

What Is Taught Here

The curriculum is broader than at most kung fu schools. Courses cover Taoist internal alchemy, Water Style Tai Chi, Wudang Qigong, Wudang Sword, Bagua Zhang, and traditional Daoist medicine including acupuncture, moxibustion, herbal medicine, and qigong healing methods.

The martial arts taught here are internal arts rooted in Taoist philosophy — emphasizing internal energy, longevity, and the balance between nature and martial arts. Students wake at dawn, meditate for hours, and practice Qigong before touching combat techniques. The idea is to build inner strength first, then develop external fighting skills.

This is not a school where you will spend six hours a day doing horse stances and conditioning drills. The approach is contemplative, progressive, and deeply integrated with Taoist worldview.

The Daily Schedule

The daily structure follows: early morning longevity Qigong training and standing meditation, Water Tai Chi after breakfast, theory and alchemy classes after lunch, and meditation after dinner.

Courses and Pricing

The temple operates on a course-based model rather than an open monthly enrollment. Course fees are approximately 9,900–9,990 RMB, with a required deposit of 3,900 RMB. Accommodation and meals cost an additional 100 RMB per day. Students who have previously attended courses can return for revision without paying tuition fees again.

Courses run throughout the year across different subjects. Check the temple's website for the current schedule before planning travel.

Deposit policy note: If a student decides not to stay at the temple after arriving, the deposit will not be refunded and they must leave China, as the responsibility for their visa falls on the temple. This is an important practical consideration — visit the temple for a 2–3 day inspection period first if you are uncertain.

The 2–3 Day Inspection Visit

Future students can choose to first visit the temple for three days to inspect the conditions, at which time food and accommodation will be free of charge. This is strongly recommended before committing to a full course, given the strict rules and the deposit policy.

Rules and Environment

One must be able to endure bitterness, follow the plans and arrangements with discipline, unite and mutually support each other with love and compassion. One must study simple, common Chinese terms and phrases. If within two weeks one cannot get used to or is unable to endure the conditions, one can quit.

This is not a warning to discourage visitors — it is honest communication about what the environment demands. Students who are drawn to genuine Taoist contemplative practice will find this directness reassuring rather than off-putting.

Who This Temple Suits

Five Immortals Temple is suited for students who are genuinely drawn to Taoist philosophy, internal cultivation, and traditional Chinese medicine as a unified practice — not students who want martial arts training with a spiritual backdrop.

The environment demands patience, adaptability, and sincere interest in the broader Taoist worldview. Students looking primarily for physical conditioning, combat training, or a comfortable base from which to explore China will find other schools a better fit.

For students who want the most immersive, spiritually grounded, and genuinely traditional experience available to foreigners in China — this is it.

Getting There

The temple is located in Shiyan City, Zhang Wan District, Bailin Town, White Horse Mountain Village. You can take a direct taxi to the mountain from the airport or train station, asking for Zhang Jia Po village at the base of the mountain, or Bailin Town if the driver doesn't know the village. The temple can also arrange transport directly.

Information last reviewed May 2026. Course schedules and fees change regularly — always check fiveimmortals.com for current information before making travel plans.