Foreign disciples spread Taoist culture

By Le Qin ( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2013-09-27

Jeff, a 29-year-old American, speaks to reporters.

Disciples from overseas practice kung fu at Wudang Mountains.

Foreign disciples can be seen exercising every morning at Yuxu Palace at Wudang Mountains, in Central China's Hubei province.

One of these disciples, Jeff, is from the United States and speaks fluent Chinese. He read books on Wudang kung fu in his college library in his home country and decided to come and see for himself.

Jeff has been studying in Wudang for seven years, and he is full of praise for China's 5,000-year history and culture, especially Taoism and Wudang kung fu.

Jeff said one of the reasons he is studying at Wudang is because he aims to open a Tai Chi club when he returns to the US, and he hopes to spread Taoist culture.

Each year, a total of nearly 30,000 foreigners, from countries such as the US, Britain, Belgium and Romania, study kung fu on Wudang Mountains.

There are about 20 kung fu schools on Wudang Mountains, and children and adults can apply for different courses, with the shortest lasting just one month.

Located in Shiyan city, Wudang Mountains was inscribed in UNESCO's World Heritage List on December, 1994, due to its unique scenery and its Taoist culture and long history.

Edited by Niva Whyman