Dajue Mountain Scenic Area is located in Zixi County, Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, integrating natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, religious culture, leisure and vacation, and adventure entertainment. The total planned area of the scenic area is 204 square kilometers, with the core scenic area covering 105 square kilometers. It features primeval forests, canyon rafting, ancient temples with a thousand-year history, and high-altitude cable cars. The highest peak in the area is 1,396 meters above sea level, with a forest coverage rate of 97.43%. The air is rich in negative ions, earning it the reputation of a "natural oxygen bar". The scenic area boasts diverse landscapes such as canyons, waterfalls, lakes, and ancient temples, making it suitable for both leisure sightseeing and adventure experiences, and a well-known tourist destination in eastern Jiangxi.
History and Culture
Dajue Mountain has a profound connection with Buddhist culture. Its name originates from the Buddhist concept of "Dajue" (Great Awakening), implying "enlightenment to the great way". According to historical records, as early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there were traces of Buddhist activities in Dajue Mountain, where monks had built huts for practice. By the Tang Dynasty, Dajue Temple (originally named "Dajueyan Temple") was officially built. After renovations in the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it became an important Buddhist temple in eastern Jiangxi.
The Buddhist culture of Dajue Mountain integrates Zen thoughts. Throughout history, many eminent monks have preached here, leaving behind numerous legends and relics. Dajueyan in the scenic area is a huge naturally formed cave, where Buddha statues were once enshrined, serving as the core place for ancient monks' practice. In addition, villages around the scenic area retain many folk cultures related to Buddhism, such as temple fairs and prayer ceremonies, forming a unique religious and cultural atmosphere. In recent years, on the basis of protecting historical relics, the scenic area has restored and rebuilt Dajue Temple, rejuvenating this thousand-year-old temple and making it an important carrier for inheriting Buddhist culture.
Main Attractions
Dajue Temple
Dajue Temple is located in Dajueyan Cave, the core cultural attraction of the scenic area. The temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty, and the existing buildings were restored and rebuilt on the original site in recent years, covering an area of about 1,000 square meters. It adopts the traditional temple architectural style, consisting of a mountain gate, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, etc. The cave has a spacious interior, with the highest point reaching 97 meters. The cave walls are carved with cliff inscriptions written by monks of past dynasties, which have high historical and artistic value. The temple enshrines statues of Sakyamuni, Guanyin, etc., with a strong incense atmosphere, making it an important place for tourists to pray and experience Buddhist culture.
Dajue Mountain Rafting
Dajue Mountain Rafting is a signature experience project of the scenic area. The rafting river is 3.6 kilometers long, with a drop of 188 meters, passing through 66 bends and 33 rapids, and the whole journey takes about 90 minutes. The river flows through deep mountain canyons, with dense forests and jagged rocks on both sides. There are both thrilling rapids and calm, open still water areas, allowing tourists to enjoy the natural scenery along the way while experiencing speed and excitement. The starting point of the rafting is equipped with complete service facilities, providing professional safety equipment and guidance, suitable for healthy people aged 16-55.
Tianhu Lake
Tianhu Lake is located at an altitude of 800 meters in Dajue Mountain. It is an alpine lake covering an area of about 100 mu, formed by the convergence of mountain streams. The lake water is crystal clear, surrounded by mountains and lush forests. There are boats available on the lake, allowing tourists to go boating on the lake, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the lake and mountains, and experience a quiet and pleasant atmosphere. Tianhu Lake is also a stop on the Dajue Mountain cable car route. Overlooking from the cable car, the lake is like a piece of jasper inlaid among the mountains, presenting a particularly spectacular view.
High-Altitude Cable Car
The high-altitude cable car of Dajue Mountain connects the entrance of the scenic area with the Dajueyan attraction, with a total length of 1,678 meters and a drop of 478 meters between the upper and lower stations, making it one of the cable cars with a relatively large drop in Jiangxi Province. The cable car adopts a double-line reciprocating design, capable of transporting about 500 tourists per hour, with a total running time of about 23 minutes. During the cable car ride, tourists can enjoy a full view of canyons, forests, waterfalls and other landscapes. Especially in cloudy and foggy weather, it feels like being in a fairyland, making it an excellent way to enjoy the panoramic view of the scenic area.
Nantianmen (South Heaven Gate)
Nantianmen is located near the top of Dajue Mountain, an antique archway-style building about 12 meters high and 15 meters wide. It symbolizes the boundary between "heaven" and "the world", echoing the Buddhist concept of "transcending the mundane". Climbing Nantianmen, you can overlook the canyon below and the distant mountains with a wide view. It is also an important node for hiking, with viewing platforms and rest areas around for tourists to stop and take photos or rest.
Food
Zixi Bread
Zixi Bread is a specialty of Zixi County, Fuzhou City, and is sold in restaurants and small shops around Dajue Mountain Scenic Area. Zixi is known as "the hometown of Chinese bread". Its bread-making technology originated in the 1980s, using flour, yeast, sugar, cream and other raw materials, made through fermentation and baking, with a soft taste and rich aroma. Common varieties include sweet bread, salty bread, pork floss bread, etc., at affordable prices, making it a convenient choice for tourists to replenish energy during their trip.
Hakka Stuffed Tofu
Hakka Stuffed Tofu is a traditional dish of the Hakka people in Jiangxi, Fujian and Guangdong regions, commonly found in Hakka restaurants around Dajue Mountain. Its production method is to cut tofu into small pieces, hollow out the middle, fill with stuffing made of pork, mushrooms, green onions, ginger, etc., and then fry, boil and braise. The finished tofu is fragrant outside and tender inside, with delicious stuffing. It is eaten with soup, having a unique flavor, reflecting the characteristics of Hakka food culture.
Bamboo Shoots Dried with Pork
Zixi County where Dajue Mountain is located is rich in bamboo shoots. Bamboo Shoots Dried with Pork is a classic home-cooked dish in the local area. It uses locally dried bamboo shoots, which are soaked and then cooked with streaky pork. The bamboo shoots absorb the fat and flavor of the meat, while the meat becomes fat but not greasy, with a rich taste. This dish is savory and delicious, rich in nutrition, and is one of the recommended dishes in restaurants around the scenic area.
Scenic Area Restaurants
There are many restaurants in Dajue Mountain Scenic Area, mainly distributed near the tourist center and the end of the rafting route, offering various dishes such as Gan cuisine and home-cooked dishes, such as steamed fish, stir-fried wild vegetables, and native chicken soup. The ingredients in the restaurants are mostly locally sourced, fresh and natural, meeting the dining needs of tourists, with an average consumption of about 50-80 yuan per person.
Tickets
The ticket price is 60 yuan per person, and the sightseeing bus fare is 20 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "江西大觉山景区" to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are 8:00-17:00 daily (summer) and 8:30-16:30 daily (winter). The rafting project is greatly affected by the weather, usually open from April to October every year, with specific hours from 9:00-15:00 (ticket check stops at 15:00). It may be suspended in winter and on rainy days, so it is recommended to consult the scenic area in advance.
Tour Route
Tourists can enter from the gate of the scenic area, first take a sightseeing bus (about 15 minutes) to the lower station of the cable car, then take the cable car to the upper station (about 23 minutes) to enjoy the scenery along the way; after getting off the cable car, walk to Nantianmen (about 10 minutes) to enjoy the view from a height; then go to Dajue Temple (about 15 minutes) to visit the ancient temple and cave; after that, walk down the mountain or take the cable car back to the lower station, go to the starting point of the rafting to experience rafting (about 90 minutes); after rafting, you can have a meal in the nearby restaurant, and then take the sightseeing bus back to the gate of the scenic area. The whole tour takes about 5-6 hours, and tourists can adjust the itinerary according to their physical strength and interests.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from Nanchang, take Shanghai-Kunming Expressway and transfer to Jiqing Expressway, get off at Zixi Exit, drive along Provincial Highway S205 for about 10 kilometers to reach the scenic area, with a total journey of about 2.5 hours; starting from Fuzhou, take Jiqing Expressway to Zixi Exit, then drive about 10 kilometers, with a total journey of about 1.5 hours. The scenic area has parking lots, with a charging standard of 10 yuan/day for small cars and 20 yuan/day for large cars.
- Long-distance bus: There are shuttle buses between Zixi County and Dajue Mountain Scenic Area. Departing from Zixi Bus Station, there is one bus per hour from 8:00-17:00 every day, with a journey of about 20 minutes and a fare of 5 yuan per person.
- Train: The nearest railway station is Zixi Railway Station, about 15 kilometers away from the scenic area. After arriving, you can take a taxi to the scenic area, which takes about 20 minutes and costs about 30 yuan.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Dajue Mountain Rafting: 3.6 kilometers long with a drop of 188 meters, passing through 66 bends. It is the most distinctive experience project in the scenic area, thrilling and exciting, allowing tourists to fully feel the fun of nature and adventure.
- Dajue Temple: Located in a natural cave, with a long history, the building is integrated with natural landscapes. The cliff inscriptions and Buddha statues in the temple have high cultural value, making it the core attraction for experiencing Buddhist culture.
- High-Altitude Cable Car: 1,678 meters long with a drop of 478 meters. During the ride, you can enjoy the panoramic view of canyons and forests, especially in cloudy and foggy weather, the scenery is highly ornamental, making it the best way to overlook the scenic area.
Travel Suggestions
- Rafting is the core project of the scenic area. It is recommended to wear quick-drying clothes and sandals, and prepare a waterproof bag in advance to protect mobile phones and other items. Waterproof equipment can also be purchased in the scenic area at a price of about 10-20 yuan.
- The temperature difference between morning and evening in mountainous areas is large. Even in summer, it is recommended to bring a thin coat; wear comfortable sports shoes when hiking, as some sections are steep.
- It is recommended to visit on non-weekends and holidays to avoid crowds, especially for the rafting project, to reduce waiting time.
- The scenic area is large. Tourists with limited physical strength can make reasonable use of sightseeing buses and cable cars to save energy for visiting core attractions.
Notes
- The rafting project has certain risks. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women, etc., are prohibited from participating. Minors under 16 years old must be accompanied by adults. Strictly follow the guidance of the staff and wear life jackets throughout the process.
- Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Protect the ecological environment, do not pick flowers and plants or disturb wild animals at will.
- The weather in mountainous areas is changeable, and sudden rain may occur. It is recommended to carry rain gear with you; in thunderstorm weather, stay away from tall trees and open areas, and suspend outdoor activities such as mountain climbing and rafting.
- Abide by religious etiquette when visiting temples, do not make noise or take photos (if there is a no-photography sign), and respect religious customs.
- Take good care of personal belongings, especially during rafting and in crowded places, to avoid loss; there is a medical room in the scenic area, and you can ask for help in case of physical discomfort.