Taining Scenic Area is located in Taining County, Sanming City, Fujian Province, China. It is a World Natural Heritage Site, a World Geopark, and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area covers a total area of 492.5 square kilometers, with Danxia landform accounting for 252.7 square kilometers. Taining features youthful-stage Danxia landform landscapes as its main body, combined with various geological relics such as volcanic rocks, granite, and tectonic landforms. It boasts major landscape characteristics including Danxia on water, canyon clusters, cave wonders, and pristine ecosystems. The area has a highly original ecosystem and is rich in rare and endemic species.
History and Culture
Taining enjoys the reputation of being an "Ancient Town from the Han and Tang Dynasties, a Famous City of the Two Song Dynasties." Human habitation here dates back to the Neolithic Age. In 1086 AD during the Yuanyou period of the Northern Song Dynasty, Taining County was established from Guihua County. Emperor Zhezong of the Song Dynasty bestowed the name "Taining," which was originally the name of the residence in Qufu where Confucius' descendants lived, hoping for national peace and people's well-being. Taining is the hometown of Zou Yinglong, a top scholar in the Song Dynasty. During the Northern and Southern Song dynasties, scholars from Taining created the remarkable story of "two top scholars across the river, four Jinshi in one family, and nine Juren in one alley." Here, ancient architectural complexes such as the Shangshu Mansion and Ming and Qing Gardens are preserved. In the Danxia rock caves, there are cliff burials of the ancient Yue people and cultural relics like the thousand-year-old Ganlu Temple.
Main Attractions
Dajin Lake
Dajin Lake is located in Shuiji Village, Meikou Township, Taining County. The scenic area covers 140 square kilometers, with a water area of 36 square kilometers. It is known as the "Number One Lake and Mountain Under Heaven." The towering red rock peaks and the vast expanse of water complement each other, creating the famous "Danxia on Water" landscape. Additionally, there are relics of the former headquarters of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and the former headquarters of the Eastern Route Army.
Shangqing Stream
The Shangqing Stream Scenic Area is located in the northeastern part of Taining, upstream of Dajin Lake. It is known as the "Number One Rafting Spot in East China." Major attractions include "Carp Jumping over the Dragon Gate," "Golden Bell Ringing Continuously," and "Five Elders Admiring the Immortals."
Zhaixia Grand Canyon
The Zhaixia Grand Canyon Scenic Area is situated in Ruanxi Village, at the junction of Shancheng Town and Datian Township, about 16 kilometers from Taining County. It is a key scenic area in the Dajin Lake Area of Taining World Geopark. It consists of three deeply cut canyons: Xuantian Canyon, Tongtian Canyon, and Yitian Canyon.
Zhuangyuan Rock
Zhuangyuan Rock Scenic Area is located in Changxing Village, in the northern suburbs of Taining County, downstream of the Shangqing Stream, about 12 kilometers from the county seat. It got its name because Zou Yinglong, a top scholar during the Qingyuan period of the Song Dynasty, studied here in his early years. The scenic area is divided into five zones, including Zhuangyuan Valley, Hulu Tian, and Wuzhi Mountain, and is praised as a "Danxia wonderland blessed with outstanding talents."
Ganlu Temple
Ganlu Temple is located in the Dajin Lake Scenic Area of Taining, first built in 1146 AD. It is constructed within an arched rock cave, featuring an inverted triangular shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The design craftsmanship is ingenious: "One pillar supports the ground, and no tiles are used", making it a great masterpiece in the history of Chinese temple architecture.
Cat Mountain
Cat Mountain is located in Meikou Township, Taining County. It is composed of the Three Sword Peaks of Dajin Lake and is part of the Wuyi Mountain Range. In February 2000, it was upgraded to a national forest park in China, with a forest coverage rate of up to 90%.
Jiulongtan
The Jiulongtan Scenic Area is located in the northern core area of Taining World Geopark. It is known as the "Miniature Pearl of Taining's Danxia Landscape and Mountains" and is a typical area for the development of youthful-stage Danxia landform in Taining. Its night tour project, "Dreamscape · Jiulongtan," offers visitors an audio-visual experience integrating light, shadow, and other effects.
Taining Ancient Town
Taining Ancient Town is located in the urban area of Taining County and has a history of over 1,300 years. It is known as an "Ancient Town from the Han and Tang Dynasties, a Famous City of the Two Song Dynasties." The Shangshu Mansion, a national-level protected unit within the town, is a precious example of the most exquisitely preserved and complete Ming Dynasty residential architecture in southern China.
Local Cuisine
Dajin Lake Organic Fish
The organic fish from Dajin Lake has no muddy smell, is naturally fresh and tender, and delicious. The fish head makes a thick and flavorful soup, the fish body is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside when fried, and the fish tail with chopped peppers is spicy and delicious.
Jinhu Black-bone Chicken
Jinhu Black-bone Chicken is a high-protein, low-fat organic food that can be used for both food and medicine. It has tender meat, a delicious taste, and rich soup.
Youjiang Tofu
Youjiang Tofu adheres to traditional production methods, using old tofu brine as a starter without adding gypsum or brine. It contains less water, has a fine, smooth, and tender texture, and can be made into various tofu dishes.
Red Mushroom Soup
Red mushrooms are produced in the Xiaobeidou Mountains in the western part of Taining County. The mushroom caps have distinct colors, and when cooked, they taste fresh, sweet, and nutritious.
Dry-fried Duck
Dry-fried Duck is made from paddy-field ducks. It has a shiny appearance, is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, slightly chewy, and fragrant and juicy.
Nuangubao
Nuangubao is shaped like dumplings and made from rice milk and Chinese mugwort. With various fillings, it has the effects of relieving cough and strengthening the kidneys and bones.
Jade Roll
Jade Roll, also known as "Leek Cake," has a bright green crust resembling jade. It has a delicate texture, is sticky, soft, and fragrant.
Zhuangyuan Ci
Zhuangyuan Ci is made from high-quality glutinous rice. It is moderately soft and chewy, sweet and delicious, and can be eaten in various ways.
Entrance Tickets
Tickets are sold separately for each attraction.
Dajin Lake: Starting from 80 yuan; Shangqing Stream: Starting from 50 yuan; Zhaixia Grand Canyon: Starting from 50 yuan; Shangshu Mansion: Starting from 20 yuan.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "泰宁文旅" to get the latest updates. As of June 12, 2025, the official WeChat public account does not provide online ticket purchasing services.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open 24 hours a day, all year round. However, the opening hours of some attractions may be adjusted due to special circumstances such as adverse weather or scenic area maintenance.
Itineraries
One-day tour: Dajin Lake (admire Danxia on water) - Ganlu Temple (visit the unique architecture) - Taining Ancient Town (experience history and culture).
Two-day tour: Day 1, Shangqing Stream (experience bamboo rafting) - Zhuangyuan Rock (explore historical relics); Day 2, Zhaixia Grand Canyon (admire canyon scenery) - Jiulongtan (enjoy the night view or daytime Danxia landscape).
Three-day tour: Day 1, Dajin Lake - Ganlu Temple - Taining Ancient Town; Day 2, Shangqing Stream - Zhuangyuan Rock - Cat Mountain; Day 3, Zhaixia Grand Canyon - Jiulongtan - Geological Museum. Visitors can adjust according to their time and interests.
Transportation
- By plane: The nearest airport to Taining is Sanming Shaxian Airport, about 1.5 hours' drive away. You can take a dedicated shuttle to Taining at the airport or go to downtown Sanming first and then transfer to Taining.
- By train: Taining has a railway station. You can take a train to Taining Station, and there are buses or taxis available to take you to the scenic area after getting off.
- By bus: Taining has a bus station, and there are direct long-distance buses from many cities inside and outside the province.
- By self-driving: Starting from cities like Fuzhou and Xiamen, you can drive to Taining via highways such as Fuyin Expressway. Just navigate to Taining Scenic Area.
Must-visit Attractions
- Dajin Lake: Known as the "Number One Lake and Mountain Under Heaven," it features spectacular Danxia on water landscapes. With a vast water area, you can take a boat tour to enjoy the red rock peaks on both sides.
- Zhaixia Grand Canyon: Deeply cut canyons, towering red cliffs, and numerous caves make it an excellent place to appreciate Danxia landform canyon landscapes and feel the uncanny workmanship of nature.
- Shangqing Stream: Dubbed the "Number One Rafting Spot in East China," you can appreciate the unique Danxia scenery on both sides while rafting on a bamboo raft, as if traveling in a landscape painting.
- Taining Ancient Town: With a long history, it preserves a large number of ancient buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The architectural craftsmanship of the Shangshu Mansion and others is exquisite, allowing you to deeply experience the historical and cultural heritage of Taining.
Travel Tips
- Spring and autumn have relatively comfortable climates and are good times to visit; in summer, pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention; in winter, it is relatively damp and cold, so keep warm.
- If you have enough time, arrange a few more days to slowly visit each attraction and deeply experience the beauty and culture of the scenic area.
- When participating in water activities, be sure to wear a life jacket as required by the staff and pay attention to safety.
- When tasting local cuisine, choose according to your taste. If you don't eat spicy food well, you can inform the restaurant staff in advance.
Precautions
- There is a lot of rain in spring in Taining, so bring rain gear; there is a large temperature difference between morning and evening in spring and winter, so keep warm.
- Take good care of your personal belongings, especially when taking transportation and during the tour, to avoid loss.
- Be a civilized tourist, do not arbitrarily damage the flowers, trees, cultural relics and historic sites in the scenic area, and do not scribble or deface within the scenic area.
- Some scenic areas have requirements for the age and physical condition of tourists. When participating in strenuous activities or visiting high-altitude attractions, choose according to your own situation.
- Try to travel in groups during the night or free activities, do not trust strangers easily, and pay attention to personal and property safety.