Nanyan Palace

Nanyan, famously revered in Taoism as the “Holy Land” where the deity Zhenwu attained immortality and ascended to heaven, is one of the most celebrated of Wudang Mountain’s 36 cliffs. This majestic Wudang Mountain temple complex is uniquely integrated into its dramatic natural landscape, serving as a pillar of ancient architectural design.

The construction of Nanyan Palace originally began between 1285 and 1310 (spanning from the 22nd year of the Zhiyuan reign to the 3rd year of the Zhida reign of the Yuan Dynasty) and was later expanded in 1412 during the 10th year of the Ming Dynasty’s Yongle reign. Situated dramatically beneath Duyang Cliff, the surrounding mountain range soars like a massive wing hanging directly from the sky.

Ancient Architecture & The Stone Hall

Today, 21 historic buildings remain well-preserved within the complex, boasting a total floor area of 3,505 square meters over a site stretching across 90,000 square meters.

• The Stone Hall of Tianyi Zhenqing Palace: Standing as the main structure of the site, this marvel was built before 1310 (the 3rd year of the Zhida reign of the Yuan Dynasty). It measures exactly 11 meters in width, 6.6 meters in depth, and 6.8 meters in total height. Reflecting elite craftsmanship, its entire layout, including the beams, columns, doors, and windows, is meticulously carved from solid bluestone.

• The Famous Dragon Head Incense Burner: As a prominent feature of this Wudang Mountain temple, the breathtaking dragon head incense burner measures 2.9 meters long and 0.3 meters wide. It juts out horizontally over a deep valley, holding a small incense burner precisely on the dragon’s head. Due to the extreme danger it posed to pilgrims, a historic stele was erected during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty to legally prohibit incense burning at the precipice.

Majestic Natural Scenery & Landscapes

Among the 36 cliffs of the region, Nanyan stands out as one of the premier Wudang Mountain historical sites for its raw natural beauty. Its steep, precipitous peaks are blanketed with lush forests that reach up toward the blue sky, overlooking a deep, jaw-dropping gorge below.

The structural geography positions Nanyan perfectly within its environment:

• To the South: It faces the soaring peaks of Tianzhu.

• To the North: It directly overlooks the historic Wulong Ancestral Temple.

• To the East & West: It is flanked by Zhanqi Peak to the east and the Feishen Platform (Ascension Platform) to the west.

This interlocking landscape is famously described by ancient scholars: “Its might engulfs Tai and Hua mountains, close to the Milky Way; its grandeur overpowers Min and E mountains, towering above Yulei Peak.”

Today, as one of the four major geological relic parks designated within the Wudang Mountain National Geopark, the natural cliffside wonders and the human architecture of Nanyan Palace exist in complete, organic harmony.