Located on the southern slope of the famed Zhongnan Mountain—known as the mystical “Dragon Vein of China”—Yaowang Valley sits adjacent to the Mu Wang Mountain National 4A Forest Park in Shaanxi Province.
At an altitude of 1,300 meters (4,265 feet), the valley boasts a stunning forest coverage rate of 98%, with negative oxygen ion levels reaching nearly 60,000 per cubic centimeter—offering truly rejuvenating air quality. The area is home to more than 1,300 rare plant species and over 30 nationally protected tree species. It also serves as a sanctuary for over 200 wild animal species, including leopards, antelope, golden eagles, black bears, Chinese giant salamanders, and is even considered a potential habitat for giant pandas. Because of its rich biodiversity, it’s often called the “Plant Kingdom and Animal Paradise of Northern China.”
Legend speaks of mystical places here, such as the Black Dragon Cave with coiled flying dragons, the Twin Rivers Bay where Guanyin is said to have blessed children, and the ancient Walnut Tree near Guaibang Pavilion. The valley also features the Apricot Grove Hall, a place filled with blooming medicinal trees. Following the Qinglong Ridge upstream, one reaches the Brahma Cave—where Laozi is said to have composed his eternal classic, the Tao Te Ching, while seeking enlightenment in these sacred mountains.
Two crystal-clear mountain streams flow through the valley, forming the Twin Rivers Bay, which has nurtured the local village of Guilin for centuries. This peaceful landscape echoes the poetic image: “Plucking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I gaze serenely at the southern mountains.”
Shaanxi is also the birthplace of the great medicine sage, Sun Simiao, revered as the “King of Medicine.” According to tradition, Sun Simiao once traveled through the Qinling Mountains, collecting herbs and treating villagers near Mu Wang Mountain. His teachings influenced over 3,000 disciples, spreading traditional Chinese medicine across the world.
Today, Yaowang Valley honors this legacy by establishing:
- The Sun Simiao Medicinal Herb Demonstration Base
- A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Training School for lineage learning
- An International Chronic Disease & Wellness Recovery Center
- A TCM Culinary and Lifestyle Pavilion
- A Forest TCM Education Camp for children
- And an International Cultural Exchange Platform for TCM scholars worldwide
Each March, the Mu Wang Rhododendron Festival and the Black Dragon Cave Blessing Festival attract thousands of visitors seeking beauty and spiritual wellness. In April, the Sun Simiao “Great Doctor with Pure Heart” Commemoration gathers TCM experts, students, and enthusiasts to honor his spirit and share knowledge.
From May to October, a series of cultural and seasonal festivals take place, including:
- The Chinese Classics Cultural Festival
- The Harvest Picking Festival
- The Herbal Cuisine & Wellness Fair
- And the Fishing & Water Play Festival
Whether you’re seeking natural healing, family-friendly educational experiences, cultural immersion, or global connections in traditional medicine—Yaowang Valley of Mu Wang Mountain welcomes friends from all over the world to explore, rejuvenate, and connect.
Yaowangmen Commemorates Sun Simiao’s Birthday
Grand Blessing Ceremony Held at Zhongnan Mountain
As spring returns to the land and nature awakens with new life, on March 1, 2025 (the second day of the second lunar month), Xiao Hongjun, the 48th Grand Master of the Yaowangmen lineage, led disciples in a solemn pilgrimage to the Yaowang Cave Temple at Zhongnan Mountain. The group gathered to hold the Guimao Year Ancestral Blessing and Commemoration Ceremony, honoring Sun Simiao, the legendary “King of Medicine,” in accordance with ancient rites. The event aimed to pay tribute to his profound contributions to traditional Chinese medicine and to further the legacy of this national cultural treasure.
At precisely 9:58 a.m., the ceremony officially commenced with the rhythmic beating of nine ceremonial drums and the sounding of ritual bells and chimes. Grand Master Xiao Hongjun, dressed in formal ceremonial attire, led disciples in the solemn ritual of three kneelings and nine prostrations, offering seasonal fruits, grains, and delicacies as a mark of deep reverence for Sun Simiao’s enduring spirit of medical excellence and compassion.
The ritual scripture, titled “With Dragon’s Might and Tiger’s Grace, May Fortune and Longevity Follow”, recounted Sun Simiao’s virtuous life of healing and service, expressing wishes for the eternal vitality of traditional Chinese medicine and the continued health and peace of society. The consecration ceremony was officiated by Daoist Master Liu Chengji, the 24th-generation heir of the Quanzhen Longmen sect, who performed a “dotting the eyes” ritual on the auspicious dragon and tiger statues—symbolizing the warding off of evil and the ushering in of renewed life and fortune.
The day’s cultural festivities continued with performances and artistic tributes. Ji Fuji, an 83-year-old master of Qinqiang Opera, took the stage with his students, delivering a passionate rendition of the “Legend of the Medicine King.” Nearby, renowned artist Wang Xijing painted a vivid scroll titled “Medicine King Patrols the Mountains,”capturing the spirit of Sun Simiao in bold brushstrokes.
Leading figures from the medical and cultural worlds also shared their knowledge. Xiao Gang, president of the Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medicine Experts Association, and Li Wei, an 83-year-old National TCM Master, offered insights into wellness and clinical practice. Li Jing, head of the Xi’an Wellness Association, as well as international guests such as Sergei, a distinguished Russian artist, and Lin Zhi, president of the American Institute for Chinese Medicine, joined in this cross-cultural celebration.
At the event site, Yaowangmen disciples demonstrated Sun Simiao’s Thirteen Health-Preserving Exercises, showcasing the unique charm of guiding and pressing techniques from ancient Daoist healing arts. Traditional crafts such as lacquer fan painting and rubbing printing attracted crowds to the interactive cultural experience zones, where age-old techniques met contemporary aesthetics.
Professor Xiao Hongjun remarked:
“This ceremony not only honors our great ancestor but also reaffirms our commitment to the mission of ‘promoting Chinese medicine and benefiting the people.’ Yaowangmen will continue to advance the modernization of TCM, making its benefits accessible to more people worldwide.”
Through the language of ritual and the bridge of culture, the Yaowangmen Zhongnan Mountain Blessing Ceremonyvividly demonstrated the timeless vitality of traditional Chinese medicine and its ongoing innovation. This dialogue across centuries is poised to breathe new life into the enduring legacy of Chinese civilization.
