Behind the South Heaven Gate

The South Heaven Gate, embedded in the undulating peaks, is one of the masterpieces of the ancient architecture of Wudang Mountain that ingeniously utilizes the spatial environment. This South Heaven Gate is a single-eaved hip-and-gable roof structure, decorated with red walls and green tiles, and was built in the 11th year of Yongle in the Ming Dynasty. This South Heaven Gate is the only way to enter the South Rock Palace and is also connected to scenic spots such as the Rain Prayer Platform, Taichang Temple and the Thunder God Cave. Legend has it that the South Heaven Gate is the first major gate to enter the Heavenly Palace. Therefore, whenever people mention the South Heaven Gate, they immediately think of the Heavenly Palace fairyland. So our ancient ancestors built a South Heaven Gate here with the aim of creating the atmosphere of a celestial palace that Taoism reveres.