Today marks the 12th Chinese Tourism Day, a cultural treasure left by the great traveler Xu Xiake to the world. May 19th is the opening day of the first entry, “Diary of Travels in Mount Tiantai,” in “The Travel Notes of Xu Xiake.” On March 30, 2011, the State Council's executive meeting passed a resolution, setting May 19th as “Chinese Tourism Day” starting from 2011.
Wudang Mountain is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a famous Taoist holy site, and also the birthplace of Wudang martial arts – Tai Chi. Xu Xiake was a renowned geographer and travelologist, and his “Travel Notes of Xu Xiake” vividly portrays the landscapes, scenic spots, wonders, and unusual views of most of China, among which Wudang Mountain cannot be absent.
In the third year of the Heavenly Reopening period of the Ming Dynasty (1623), Xu Xiake visited Wudang Mountain. He entered the territory of Wudang Mountain via Mount Hua, reaching the ancient city of Junzhou. During this time, he followed the ancient deity path, passing through the Palace of Meeting the True One to reach the Purple Heaven Palace, then went through the ancient deity paths of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the First, Second, and Third Heavenly Gates, to arrive at the Golden Summit, etc. Wudang, the mountain of immortals, is a place that many people long for. The poetic and picturesque nature of Xu Xiake's works resonates with the immortal spirit of Wudang Mountain, and its beautiful scenery made him linger and forget to return.
Over four hundred years ago, Xu Xiake wrote in his travel notes, “When I was young, I had the aspiration to climb the five famous mountains. The fame of the Xuan Mountain, Wudang, surpassed the Five Great Mountains, and my admiration was even more profound.” Later, he fulfilled his lifelong wish, spending five days and nights touring Wudang Mountain. Wudang Mountain's seventy-two peaks touch the azure sky, twenty-four ravines' waters sing endlessly; everywhere is full of beautiful scenery, making Xu Xiake marvel along the way. He also brought back precious tribute fruit – the Prunus mume fruit – for his mother's birthday, all of which is recorded in his “Diary of Travels in Mount Tahe.”
In the blink of an eye, some of the surroundings where Xu Xiake traveled around Wudang Mountain still have relics as witness, while others have vanished without a trace, hard to find. The precious aspect of Xu Xiake lies in his recording of history, geography, local customs, and feelings, becoming important historical materials for everyone to understand Wudang Mountain today. (Wudang Mountain Culture and Tourism Bureau)