French tourists learn tai chi in Wudang Mountains

The sun finally beamed through the clouds onto Wudang Mountains on April 22, dressing the landscape in green. A total of 42 French tourists came to Nanyan Palace in the morning and kicked off their journey of learning tai chi, wudangshan.gov.cn reported.

“French people are very interested in Wudang calligraphy and paintings, and most of them plan to bring them back to France,” said a staffer from Xiazhou travel agency.

In front of Fuzhen Temple, everyone learned the meaning and origin of the three Chinese characters “Fu, Lu and Shou (福，禄，寿)”, with Ke Wen, president of a French culture center. The French group also recited the classic Tao Te Ching, attracting attention from many bystanders.

Ke arranged for everyone to practice taijiquan after visiting Prince Slope and sipping fresh local tea.

“It’s not the first time we held activities like this in Wudang,” Ke said. The Taoism exchange between China and France has been going on for 10 years, and it’s the 16th session of the event. Dressed in traditional Chinese clothes, Ke said he came from Sichuan province, but is fascinated by Wudang culture.

“We organized 42 French people for the trip, to give them an experience of Taoism culture and lifestyle.” Ke added. The French visitors went through the morning Taoism class, had a taste of Taoism food and learned how to cook nutritious herbal cuisine. “We want to knit French culture with Wudang culture and promote Chinese culture worldwide,” Ke said.

The French visitors are from all walks of life, and include teachers, doctors and government officials. “There are more than 30,000 French students at my center, and 50 percent of them made a trip to Wudang. Most of them will tell their families, friends or students about their amazing experience in Wudang, which makes them messengers of Wudang culture in France,” Ke said.

A total of 42 French tourists come to Wudang Mountains on April 22 and kick off their journey of learning tai chi. [Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

French tourists learn taijiquan at Wudang Mountains on April 22. [Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

French tourists hava a taste of fresh local tea during their trip at Wudang Mountains on April 22. [Photo/wudangshan.gov.cn]

Edited by Nelly Min and Le Qin