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China Through Foreign Eyes| German tour operators visit Wudang Mountain
Most recently, a group of tour operator representatives from Germany took off to the mountainous central Chinese province of Hubei to attend the 2025 Wudang International Festival of Tai Chi Culture. At the invitation of the Government of Shiyan City and the Department of Culture and Tourism of Hubei Province, they traveled from afar to visit the famous World Cultural Heritage Site, Wudang Mountain.
Among the Chinese people, it is well known what Wudang Mountain represents, with its beautiful interweaving of water and mountain landscapes and its rich Taoist heritage. But how do seasoned German travelers perceive this stunning scenery? Read on to discover why Wudang Mountain is called a “hidden gem” and to rediscover the charm of the birthplace of Tai Chi through foreign eyes. This article has also been published on one of the world’s leading travel news websites, eTurboNews (German edition: de.eturbonews.com). Founded in 1999, eTurboNews is an authoritative source of global travel information, reaching more than two million readers worldwide each month through its multilingual content. Its audience includes a large number of travel professionals and industry decision-makers. As a highly influential information hub in the international tourism sector, its reporting significantly shapes global travel industry trends and destination communication.
Wudang Mountain – A hidden gem in Central China’s Hubei province
Smooth travels and open skies over RussiaOn October 23, 2025, Mr. Wolfgang Hofmann (Honorary President, SKAL International Düsseldorf), Ms. Linda Tang (CEO, FITT-China Tours, Düsseldorf), and Mr. Alexander Haase (Product Manager, Die Eisenbahn Erlebnisreise, Düsseldorf) departed Frankfurt for Beijing with Air China. For those who want or need to save time: Thanks to unrestricted access to Russian airspace, Chinese airlines offer a valuable time advantage of roughly 90 minutes compared to Western carriers. After a short connecting flight south of less than two hours, we arrived in Shiyan (十堰市, IATA: WDS)—the gateway to Wudang Mountain. Our Chinese hosts welcomed us warmly for the International Wudang Tai Chi Culture Festival 2025. For around thirty international guests, everything—from cuisine and transportation to accommodation and excursions—was organized with near-perfect precision. Hubei province at a glanceHubei Province lies in central China, north of Dongting Lake and along the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Covering an area of approximately 185,900 square kilometers, it is home to nearly 60 million people. And within this vast province rises a mountain unlike any other.  Wudang Mountain – Majestic and mysticalMajestic. Breathtaking. A UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. Wudang Mountain rises to an altitude of around 1,612 meters. A cable car brings visitors to the first plateau, where a small café offers a welcome break and already stunning panoramic views of the surrounding natural scenery. From there, a basic physical fitness is required. A series of steep stone steps leads upward to the summit and the iconic Golden Palace (Taihe Gong). Especially on foggy days, the ascent feels almost otherworldly. Ancient temples emerge from the mist, dark trees fade into clouds, and the entire mountain radiates a mysterious, timeless aura. It is truly an ascent of a lifetime.  Personal conversations over lunchSpending several days in central China with a group of around thirty participants naturally led to numerous conversations and exchanges. While some had visited China before—and two members of the group currently live here—for most it was their first journey to the Middle Kingdom. Among them was Adrian Axisa from Malta, who travelled with his daughter Alana. Adrian is the President of the Malta Martial Arts Association and has practiced kickboxing and Tai Chi for more than twenty years. Visiting China for the first time, he was impressed how “clean, orderly, and peaceful” China appeared as we walked through the streets of Zhushan. During an open-air lunch, our discussion turned to broader impressions of the country. I noted that China faces its own challenges and social issues, and that not everything that shines here is gold. He said: “You see, Tai Chi is more than movement - it's a path to self-discovery, balance, and connection. Start with curiosity, stay with humility, and let the journey unfold.” I could not have agreed more. In general. And anyways. A country that has changed—For the betterAs a sinologist who first arrived in China in the summer of 2003 and later lived in Beijing for more than five years, I have witnessed the country’s transformation firsthand. China has taken another great leap forward—this time in a more gentle, enlightened way. The once constant shouting in public spaces, the chaotic bus rides, the aggressive subway rush hours, the almost permanent spitting at every corner, and the relentless honking of traffic have largely disappeared. Urban life has become calmer, more orderly, and noticeably more pleasant. One thing, however, has never changed: China remains an exceptionally safe country to travel in. Tour operators need not worry about guests strolling through city streets or rural villages after dinner in the evenings. This sense of safety applies equally to major cities and remote countryside areas. Medical services, including real emergency care, now meet—and in some aspects exceed—Western standards, particularly in terms of personal attention. A spiritual combination with great potentialAs we travelled through Hubei’s tranquil countryside over the following days—breathtaking hills passing by, silence replacing urban noise—it became clear to me that tour operators should rethink the traditional China itineraries that are just focused solely on Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, and Shanghai. With growing interest in spirituality, mindfulness, and unspoiled nature in Western societies, Hubei offers a rare and compelling combination. Wudang Mountain embodies it all. From the second half of 2026, a new high-speed rail line will connect Xi’an and Shiyan in under two hours. In the serene surroundings of Wudang Shan, travellers will be able to practice Tai Chi, learn Chinese calligraphy, and immerse themselves in Taoism—an ancient philosophy deeply rooted in nature, balance, and harmony between Yin and Yang. For visitors from the fast-paced Western world, this offers a rare opportunity: to slow down, to reconnect with oneself, and to reflect on what truly matters in life. A suggested 14-day China itineraryA thoughtfully curated two-week journey could hence look like this:Beijing – Xi’an – Wudang Mountain (minimum three nights) – Chengdu – Chongqing – Yangtze River cruise heading east – Shanghai – Hong Kong Such an itinerary seamlessly combines modern cities, breathtaking landscapes, cute pandas and a rich history, and—above all—the profound spirituality of Tai Chi and Taoism.
欢迎来到湖北!
ngdu – Chongqing – Yangtze River cruise heading east – Shanghai – Hong Kong Such an itinerary seamlessly combines modern cities, breathtaking landscapes, cute pandas and a rich history, and—above all—the profound spirituality of Tai Chi and Taoism.
欢迎来到湖北!
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