Taimu Mountain Scenic Area is located in Fuding City, Ningde City, Fujian Province, 118 kilometers north of Wenzhou and 200 kilometers south of Fuzhou, bordered by the sea on three sides. The total area of the scenic area is 100 square kilometers, with a core tourist area of 92 square kilometers. It is a famous National Natural Heritage, World Geopark, National Scenic Area, and National 5A-level Tourist Attraction. Located in the low mountain and hilly belt of the southeastern coast, it owns the only granite peak cluster—egg-shaped landform in the region, which has great scientific research significance. The scenic area belongs to the subtropical marine climate, with abundant rainfall, no severe heat in summer, no severe cold in winter, complex environment, and rich biological resources. The scenic area has fifty-four peaks, twenty-four caves, ten rocks, nine springs, three streams, and one valley, as well as many ancient temples and inscriptions. It can be divided into four major scenic areas: Taimu Mountain, Jiuli Stream Waterfall, Qingchuan Seaside, and Fuyao Islands, as well as three independent attractions: Ruiyun She Village, Cuijiao Ancient Residence, and Lengcheng Castle, combining natural and cultural landscapes.
History and Culture
Legend has it that during the rule of Yao, an old woman ascended to immortality in the mountain, hence the name "Taimu Mountain" (Tai Mother Mountain). In the Western Han Dynasty, "Mother" was changed to "Mu" (old woman), officially naming it "Taimu Mountain". Taimu Mountain was very prosperous during the Tang and Song Dynasties, with a long history and many ancient temples. At that time, there were thirty-six temples in the north and south of the mountain, among which Guoxing Temple, Ruiyun Temple, Lingfeng Temple, Bajiao Temple, and Tianwang Temple were the largest. Up to now, 360 stone pillars remain on the site of Guoxing Temple, with a Lengjia Pagoda in front of the temple, as well as carvings and stone tablets of figures, flowers, birds, and animals created during the Tang and Song Dynasties. There are also dozens of cliff inscriptions by celebrities of past dynasties in the mountain, such as "The First Mountain in the World", "Grand View of Mountains and Sea", and "Land of Taoism, Immortals, and Buddhism".
Main Attractions
Taimu Mountain
Taimu Mountain is the essence of Taimu Mountain Scenic Area, with a tourist area of 24.6 square kilometers. Here, the peaks are steep, the rocks are strange, the caves are secluded, and the clouds are misty, famous for the four wonders of "steep peaks, strange rocks, secluded caves, and misty clouds", and known as the "Fairy Capital on the Sea". The 360 rocks in the mountain have different shapes, lifelike, like the sculptures of abstract masters, among which the Couple Peak, Golden Turtle Climbing the Wall, and Nine Carps Facing the Sky are the most famous. The area is divided into tourist areas such as Yingxian Terrace, Gourd Cave, Jiuli Peak, Yipianwa, Xiangshan Temple, Moxiao Peak, Guoxing Temple, Tianmen Ridge, and Yuhu Nunnery.
Jiuli Stream Waterfall
Composed of Jiuli Stream, Xikou Waterfall, and Longting Waterfall, it has beautiful scenery, winding streams, and flying waterfalls, making it a good place to get close to nature and feel the charm of mountains and waters.
Qingchuan Seaside
Including Qingchuan Bay, Tiaowei Bay, Damaeng Bay and other attractions, it has beautiful seaside scenery, fine beaches, and gentle waves, where you can enjoy the leisurely time of seaside vacation.
Fuyao Islands
Facing Taimu Mountain Scenic Area across the sea, the sea journey is about half an hour. It is composed of 11 islands such as Dayu Mountain Island, Xiaoyu Mountain Island, Yuanyang Island, and Bird Island, with an area of 24.5 square kilometers, formerly known as Fuyao Islands. Among them, Dayu Mountain Island is 7.7 kilometers long from east to west, 2.76 kilometers wide from north to south, with an area of 21.50 square kilometers and a shoreline of 31.97 kilometers. The island has 36 ports of different sizes and more than 20 peaks of different sizes. It is the highest island in Fujian Province, with an altitude of 541.4 meters. At an altitude of 400 meters, there are two natural lakes, the Datian Lake covering an area of nearly 667,000 square meters and the Xiaotian Lake covering an area of more than 130,000 square meters. The two lakes are more than 1,000 meters apart, each with a spring eye, which is inexhaustible all year round and has good water quality. The mountains around the lakes are gentle, with reeds growing and a vast grassland, known as the "Tianshan of the Island Country". In 2005, it was rated as one of the ten most beautiful islands in China by China National Geography magazine.
Ruiyun She Village
Located at the southeast foot of Taimu Mountain, it is a settlement of the She ethnic group. Tourists can taste She flavor snacks and experience the unique folk customs of the She people here.
Cuijiao Ancient Residence
Located in Cuijiao Village, Bailin Town, 20 kilometers away from Fuding City, Fujian Province, it is about a two-hour drive from Taimu Mountain Scenic Area. The building was built in the 10th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty, with a grand architectural scale, covering an area of 14,000 square meters. Its architectural structure and style not only imitate the momentum of royal palace architecture but also combine the fine characteristics of Jiangnan folk houses. The overall layout is dominated by three three-entry courtyards, composed of 6 large halls, 12 small halls, 24 patios, 192 rooms, and 360 wooden pillars. All beams, columns, windows, and doors in the ancient residence are decorated with woodcarving patterns in the style of Jiangnan architecture, and traditional activities such as puppet show performances and cockfighting are still preserved.
Lengcheng Castle
It has unique historical and cultural value. The castle has a unique architectural style, and the surrounding environment is simple, allowing tourists to feel a strong historical atmosphere.
Delicacies
Fuding White Tea
Taimu Mountain is the birthplace of Fuding White Tea. The white tea here is of excellent quality, with a unique flavor and rich nutritional components. Among them, Lvxueya is a treasure in Fuding White Tea. Now there is still a primitive mother tree of Fuding Dabai Tea with a tree age of more than 170 years in Taimu Mountain, named "Lvxueya".
Fuding Taro Puree
Made from Fuding special product Fuding taro, it has a delicate taste and sweet taste, and is a dessert with great local characteristics.
Fuding Meat Slices
Fresh pork is made into meat paste, and then made into thin and elastic meat slices through special technology. Paired with sour and spicy soup, it is delicious and tender.
Fuding Fish Slices
Fresh fish is selected, cut into thin slices, and through processes such as pickling and frying, the fish slices are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, full of aroma, and can be used as snacks or dishes with wine.
Fuding White Tea Cake
Tea cakes made by pressing white tea are convenient for storage and carrying, with a mellow taste and strong tea aroma.
Tickets
The ticket price is 138 yuan per person (including sightseeing car).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "太姥山旅游" on WeChat to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are 8:00 - 20:00, subject to the announcement of the scenic area.
Tour Routes
One-day tour route: Visitors can take a sightseeing car from the scenic area entrance to Yingxian Terrace of Taimu Mountain Scenic Area to enjoy landmark landscapes such as the Couple Peak; then enter Gourd Cave to experience the unique cave landscape; after that, go to Jiuli Peak to view strange rocks such as Nine Carps Facing the Sky; then go to Yipianwa to feel the beauty of unique architecture integrated with nature; finally, visit Xiangshan Temple to end the day's journey.
Two-day tour route: On the first day, visit Taimu Mountain Scenic Area, including the above attractions, and choose to stay in local homestays around the scenic area at night to experience the local homestay customs. On the second day, go to Fuyao Islands, take a cruise to Dayu Mountain Island, enjoy the beautiful scenery of lakes and grasslands on the island, and return in the afternoon. If time permits, you can also go to Jiuli Stream Waterfall Scenic Area to experience water projects such as bamboo rafting.
Transportation
- To go to Taimu Mountain from Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, you can first go to Wenzhou, Zhejiang, and take a direct bus from Wenzhou Xinnan Station to Taimu Mountain, which takes about 2.5 hours to arrive.
- Shanghai HUTAI Road Long-distance Bus Station has a bus to Taimu Mountain at 13:00 every day.
- There are special tourist buses from Ningde urban area and Fuding urban area to the scenic area.
- If you choose self-driving, you can take the Shenhai Expressway, get off at the Taimu Mountain Expressway Exit, and follow the signs to the scenic area. The scenic area has parking lots for the convenience of tourists.
Must-visit Attractions
- Taimu Mountain Scenic Area: With the four wonders of steep peaks, strange rocks, secluded caves, and misty clouds, landscapes such as the Couple Peak and Golden Turtle Climbing the Wall are lifelike, and more than 100 caves crisscross, like an underground maze.
- Dayu Mountain Island in Fuyao Islands: The largest island in eastern Fujian, Fujian, with two natural lakes on the island and a vast grassland, was rated as "one of the ten most beautiful islands in China".
- Jiuli Stream Waterfall: The stream is winding, and the waterfalls are flying. You can experience water projects such as bamboo rafting and feel the joy of mountains and waters.
- Cuijiao Ancient Residence: With a grand scale, unique architectural style, integrating the characteristics of royal palaces and Jiangnan folk houses, exquisite woodcarving craftsmanship, and traditional activities can also be experienced.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to play for 1 - 2 days. Spring and autumn are pleasant seasons, the best seasons to visit. Take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures in summer; keep warm in winter.
- There are many mountain roads in the scenic area. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes for easy walking.
- You can hire a scenic area guide or rent a voice guide to better understand the historical and cultural background of the attractions.
- Taste local special foods such as Fuding White Tea, Fuding Taro Puree, and Fuding Meat Slices. You can go to restaurants or snack stalls around the scenic area.
Notes
- Respect local customs and habits, especially in ethnic minority settlements such as Ruiyun She Village.
- Some roads in the scenic area are steep. Pay attention to safety when walking, especially for tourists with elderly people and children.
- Take good care of the environment in the scenic area. Do not litter or damage natural landscapes and cultural relics.
- When playing in Fuyao Islands, obey the command of the staff and pay attention to the safety of taking boats.
- Pay attention to the weather changes and relevant announcements of the scenic area in advance and arrange the itinerary reasonably.