Baishuiyang Scenic Area is located in Shuangxi Town, Pingnan County, Ningde City, Fujian Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a UNESCO Global Geopark, covering a total area of 77.34 square kilometers. The core landscape, the Baishuiyang Water Square, covers an area of 80,000 square meters and is composed of a single piece of flat volcanic rock (cryptsyenite porphyry). With a water depth of only 0.1-0.3 meters and uniform water distribution without gravel, it is hailed as "a unique scenery under heaven, a mystery of the universe". The scenic area integrates volcanic geology, a shallow water square, and the world's only mandarin duck and macaque reserve. It was included in the UNESCO Global Geopark Network in 2010 and is one of the eight major tourism brands in Fujian Province.
History and Culture
Baishuiyang was formed by volcanic activities in the Cretaceous period about 90 million years ago. Magma cooled and solidified to form tabular rock masses, and through 5.3 million years of lateral water erosion and crustal uplift, a rare flat bedrock riverbed in the world was gradually formed. Its geological relics are of great scientific value for studying crustal movement and paleoclimate evolution in the southeast coastal area.
Pingnan County was established in the 12th year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1734). Cultural relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties such as Shuangxi Confucian Temple and Ruiguang Pagoda are preserved around Baishuiyang. Literati and poets of the Ming and Qing dynasties wrote poems and odes here continuously. In modern times, it became famous for geological scientific research and tourism development. In 2003, Lu Zhangong, Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Party Committee, called it "a unique scenery under heaven", and Wu Yi, Vice Premier of the State Council, inscribed "a fantastic landscape".
A provincial mandarin duck-macaque reserve was established here in 1984, it became a national scenic area in 1994, was promoted to a national geopark in 2005, officially opened to the public in 2008, and became a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2010.
Main Attractions
Shallow Water Square
Covering an area of 40,000 square meters with a maximum width of 182 meters, the riverbed is like a natural mirror. The water temperature is about 20℃ in summer, and water activities such as "100-meter surfing slide" and "mandarin duck board race" can be experienced. The rocks have formed natural "bathtubs" after being scoured, making it the core area for parent-child water play.
Wulaofeng (Five Elders Peak)
With an altitude of 1,000 meters, it is named after five stone peaks that look like elderly people playing chess. Climbing to the top offers a panoramic view of Baishuiyang. The Qipan Ding (Chessboard Top) platform is said to be the place where immortals played chess. With beautiful mountain shapes, it is a iconic viewing spot in the scenic area.
Yantan (Swallow Pool)
A deep pool in the lower reaches of Zhongyang, it is named after swallows circling around. With a water depth of 2-3 meters and clear water, a natural swimming area is set up here, receiving more than 5,000 visitors per day on average in summer.
Yanhou Village
A key revolutionary village with a red heritage, it preserves the former site of Ye Fei's guerrilla unit. The existing "foreign-style buildings" witness history. Centennial old trees and terraced fields in the village set off each other, showing the style of an ancient village in eastern Fujian.
Shamao Yan (Official Hat Rock)
A 30-meter-high columnar rock mass, it is named for its shape like an ancient official hat. Viewed from different angles, it can be seen as shapes such as "golden turtle carrying treasure" and "smooth sailing", making it a typical landscape formed by weathering of volcanic rock joints.
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour
Enter the park at 8:30 → Shallow Water Square in Zhongyang (2 hours, including surfing slide) → Lunch at the scenic area restaurant at 12:00 → Hike Wulaofeng at 13:30 (1.5 hours) → Swim in Yantan at 15:30 → Return at 16:30.
Two-Day Tour
Follow the one-day tour route on the first day; on the second day, visit Yuanyangxi Scenic Area (5 kilometers from Baishuiyang) at 8:00 → View Baizhangji Waterfall → Lunch at a farm stay in Yanhou Village at 12:00 → Return in the afternoon. This route is suitable for an in-depth experience of geology and ecology.
Travel Tips
- Wear non-slip wading shoes (available for rent at 10 yuan/pair in the scenic area), bring a change of clothes, and lockers are available at 30 yuan/unit.
- Enter the park before 8:00 on weekends to avoid the peak hours from 10:00 to 14:00; the experience is better on weekdays.
- Prepare sun-protective clothing and a hat in summer (strong ultraviolet rays), and a light coat in spring and autumn (temperature difference of 8℃ between day and night).
- For parent-child trips, priority is recommended for "mandarin duck boards" (double wooden shoes); for the elderly, the Wulaofeng cableway is recommended (30 yuan for a one-way ticket).
- Stay at a homestay in Shuangxi Town in the evening (average price 200 yuan/night) and visit again during off-peak hours the next day.
Notes
- Running and diving in shallow water areas are prohibited; safety helmets (provided by the scenic area) must be worn when using the slide.
- Protect the ecology: do not feed macaques, and pets are not allowed to enter the reserve.
- Store valuables, and use a waterproof phone case (available for 5 yuan/unit in the scenic area).
- Rocks are slippery on rainy days; it is recommended to wear socks for anti-slip, and children must be accompanied by parents at all times.
- Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area; smoking areas are only set at designated spots outside the visitor center.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Depart from Fuzhou via Shenhai Expressway → Ningshang Expressway → Pingnan Exit, with a total journey of 2.5 hours. The scenic area parking lot can accommodate 800 vehicles, with a parking fee of 10 yuan/day.
- Bus: Buses from Fuzhou North Station/Ningde Bus Station to Pingnan run every 30 minutes, with a journey of 3 hours. Buses from Pingnan County to the scenic area take 20 minutes (last bus at 18:00).
- High-speed rail: After arriving at Ningde Station, transfer to a tourist special line bus (25 yuan/person, 1.5 hours) directly to the scenic area.
Opening Hours
Open all year round: 8:00-17:00 (entry stops at 16:30). Temporary closure may occur in case of rainy and foggy weather from December to February.
Tickets
Ticket price: 120 yuan/person (including scenic area sightseeing bus).
Search for the official WeChat public account "白水洋鸳鸯溪" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.