Plan at a glance
An independent palace at the foot of the mountain
Yuxu Palace is at 14 Yongle Road on the northern foothills of Wudang Mountain. It has its own entrance and is separate from the mountain scenic area. The site combines archaeological remains, restored buildings, and public space used by local residents, making it a useful stop before climbing or after descending.
Tickets and time needed
Yuxu Palace itself is free and does not require a reservation. It is open daily from 08:30 to 17:30. Allow about 30 minutes for a quick visit or 45 minutes to 1.5 hours for a fuller look at the buildings and remains. It is not included in the main mountain admission and does not require the mountain scenic shuttle.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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The giant stele and palace gate
The giant tuobei sculpture (驮碑), a stele-carrying figure inside the entrance pavilion, is Yuxu Palace's most prominent single feature. Continue through the palace gate into the central axis. The exterior of Fumu Dian (父母殿) and Leishen Dian (雷神殿) is best seen in this order; the scale of the buildings and their relationship to the gates reward a slower look.
Remains beside restored buildings
The complex retains foundations, broken walls, and other traces of earlier halls, alongside restored gates and building spaces. Seeing old and new together gives the site its historical layers and suits visitors interested in historic architecture, archaeology, and photography.
A space used by local residents
Yuxu Palace is also a public space where residents of Wudangshan Town exercise and relax in the morning and evening. Tai chi activities may be visible at certain times. Watch quietly without interrupting local activities, then continue to the museum or the mountain visitor center.
For a compact museum visit nearby, see Wudang Museum.
Build your day
The 30-minute quick route
Enter through the independent entrance, see the stele pavilion and the tuobei sculpture (驮碑), then pass through the palace gate to view the exterior of Fumu Dian (父母殿) and Leishen Dian (雷神殿). Leave through the other side after about 30 minutes. If time is limited, keep the stele pavilion, central-axis gate, and the two halls, then choose another destination at the foot of the mountain.
The 45-minute to one-and-a-half-hour highlights route
Follow the quick route but slow down to examine the restored palace gate, surviving hall foundations, broken walls, and central-axis space. Spend a short pause in the public area and allow about 45 minutes to 1.5 hours. Take photos and pause only in open areas; do not cross barriers or enter closed buildings.
Combine it with Wudang Museum
Yuxu Palace and Wudang Museum work well as one half-day at the foot of the mountain, with about 15–20 minutes of walking between them. If you also plan to enter the mountain, check Yuxu Palace's 17:30 closing time and the visitor center's shuttle arrangements before choosing the order.
Get there
From the railway station and Wudangshan Town
From Wudangshan West Railway Station, the common bus ride to Wudangshan Town takes about 20 minutes; use the day's route information. From town, walk or take a short local ride to Yuxu Palace. Drivers can navigate to “Yuxu Palace” or 14 Yongle Road and follow the local parking signs.
Keep it separate from the mountain scenic area
Yuxu Palace has its own entrance, so an outside vehicle can go there without first entering the mountain visitor center. If you then plan Taizipo, Zixiao Palace, Nanyan, or the Golden Summit, go separately to the Wudangshan Visitor Center for the main scenic-area ticketing and shuttle.
Know before you go
Free admission and temporary activities
Yuxu Palace itself is free, does not require a reservation, and is open 08:30–17:30 daily. Temporary lantern displays or other activities may have separate management or charges; read the day's entrance notice first. A temporary activity does not change the free status of the historic buildings themselves, so confirm the activity area before paying.
Walking and photography
The quick route involves little walking, but the stele pavilion, palace gate, and halls still include foundations, changes in ground level, and public activity areas. Stay on open paths when photographing broken walls, the gate, and the central axis. Do not climb the remains or touch building components, and avoid people exercising in the morning.
Nearby combinations
After leaving Yuxu Palace, you can walk to Wudang Museum or drive to Zhenwu Palace or Xuanyue Gate. These destinations are not part of the mountain entry-ticket route. If you plan to go into the mountain afterward, reconfirm the visitor center's opening, reservation, and shuttle arrangements.