Taimu Mountain Scenic Area is located in Fuding City, Ningde City, Fujian Province. It is 118 kilometers north of Wenzhou and 200 kilometers south of Fuzhou, bordering the sea on three sides. Covering a total area of 100 square kilometers with a core tourist area of 92 square kilometers, it is a renowned National Natural Heritage Site, Global Geopark, National Scenic Area, and National 5A-level Tourist Attraction. Situated in the low mountain and hilly zone along the southeast coast, it boasts the only granite peak cluster-stone egg landform in the region, which holds great scientific research value. The scenic area features a subtropical marine climate with abundant rainfall, mild summers and winters, a complex environment, and rich biological resources. Within the area, there are 54 peaks, 24 caves, 10 rock formations, 9 springs, 3 streams, 1 valley, as well as numerous ancient temples and stone carvings. It is divided into four major scenic zones: Taimu Mountain Scenic Zone, Jiuli Stream and Waterfall Scenic Zone, Qingchuan Coastal Scenic Zone, and Fuyao Islands Scenic Zone, along with three independent attractions: Ruiyun She Ethnic Village, Cuijiao Ancient Residence, and Lengcheng Ancient Castle, integrating both natural and cultural landscapes.
History and Culture
According to legend, during the reign of Emperor Yao, an old woman ascended to heaven in the mountains, hence the name "Taimu Mountain" (literally "Grandmother Mountain"). In the Western Han Dynasty, the character "mu" (mother) was replaced with "mu" (grandmother), officially naming it "Taimu Mountain". Taimu Mountain flourished as early as the Tang and Song dynasties, boasting a long history and numerous ancient temples. At that time, there were 36 temples scattered in the northern and southern parts of the mountain, among which Guoxing Temple, Ruiyun Temple, Lingfeng Temple, Bajiao Temple, and Tianwang Temple were the largest in scale. To this day, 360 stone pillars remain at the site of Guoxing Temple, with the Lengjia Pagoda standing in front of the temple, along with stone carvings and steles depicting figures, flowers, birds and animals created during the Tang and Song dynasties. The mountain also houses dozens of cliff carvings inscribed by celebrities throughout history, such as "The First Mountain Under Heaven", "A Grand View of Mountains and Seas", and "A Sacred Land of Taoism, Immortals and Buddhism".
Major Attractions
Taimu Mountain Scenic Zone
As the essence of Taimu Mountain Scenic Area, Taimu Mountain Scenic Zone covers a tourist area of 24.6 square kilometers. Famous far and wide for its "four wonders"—precipitous peaks, exotic rocks, secluded caves, and misty clouds—it enjoys the reputation of "A Fairyland on the Sea". The 360 rock formations in the mountain vary in shapes and look vividly lifelike, just like sculptures crafted by abstract art masters. Among them, the Couple Peak, the Golden Turtle Climbing the Wall, and the Nine Carps Facing the Sky are the most renowned. The zone is divided into several tourist sections, including Yingxian Platform, Hulu Cave, Jiuli Peak, Yipianwa, Xiangshan Temple, Maoxiao Peak, Guoxing Temple, Tianmen Ridge, and Yuhu Nunnery.
Jiuli Stream and Waterfall Scenic Zone
Composed of Jiuli Stream, Xikou Waterfall and Longting Waterfall, this scenic zone boasts beautiful scenery with winding streams and cascading waterfalls, making it an ideal place to get close to nature and appreciate the charm of mountains and rivers.
Qingchuan Coastal Scenic Zone
Including attractions such as Qingchuan Bay, Tiaowei Bay, and Daxiao Meng Bay, this zone features stunning coastal scenery with fine sandy beaches and gentle waves, where visitors can enjoy a leisurely coastal vacation.
Fuyao Islands Scenic Zone
Located facing the sea opposite Taimu Mountain Scenic Zone, the Fuyao Islands are about a 30-minute boat ride away. Comprising 11 islands including Dayu Mountain Island, Xiaoyu Mountain Island, Mandarin Duck Island and Bird Island, the archipelago covers an area of 24.5 square kilometers and was formerly known as Fuyao Islands. Among them, Dayu Mountain Island stretches 7.7 kilometers from east to west and 2.76 kilometers from north to south, covering an area of 21.50 square kilometers with a coastline of 31.97 kilometers. The island is home to 36 harbors of varying sizes and more than 20 peaks, making it the highest island in Fujian Province with an altitude of 541.4 meters. At an altitude of 400 meters on the island, there are two natural lakes inlaid side by side. The Great Tianhu Lake covers an area of nearly 667,000 square meters, while the Small Tianhu Lake covers over 130,000 square meters. Separated by more than 1,000 meters, both lakes have their own spring sources that never dry up throughout the year and boast good water quality. Surrounded by gentle slopes, the lakes are encircled by vast reed-covered grasslands, earning the island the nickname "Tianshan Mountain on the Sea". In 2005, it was rated as one of "China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Islands" by China National Geography magazine.
Ruiyun She Ethnic Village
Located at the southeastern foot of Taimu Mountain, Ruiyun She Ethnic Village is a settlement of the She ethnic group. Visitors can taste local She-style 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 Zone. Built in the 10th year of the Qianlong reign in the Qing Dynasty, this grand architectural complex covers an area of 14,000 square meters. Its architectural structure and style not only imitate the grandeur of imperial palace architecture but also incorporate the exquisite features of Jiangnan folk residences. The overall layout is centered around three three-courtyard complexes, consisting of 6 main halls, 12 side halls, 24 patios, 192 rooms, and 360 wooden pillars. All beams, pillars, windows and doors in the ancient residence are decorated with wood carvings featuring Jiangnan architectural styles. Traditional activities such as glove puppetry shows and cockfighting are also held here.
Lengcheng Ancient Castle
Boasting unique historical and cultural value, Lengcheng Ancient Castle features distinctive architectural styles and a primitive surrounding environment, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a strong historical atmosphere.
Tour Routes
One-Day Tour Route: Visitors can take a sightseeing bus from the scenic area entrance to Yingxian Platform in Taimu Mountain Scenic Zone to admire iconic landscapes such as the Couple Peak; then enter Hulu Cave to experience the exotic cave landscapes; afterwards proceed to Jiuli Peak to view unique rock formations like the Nine Carps Facing the Sky; then head to Yipianwa to appreciate the harmonious integration of distinctive architecture and nature; finally visit Xiangshan Temple to conclude the one-day tour.
Two-Day Tour Route: On the first day, explore Taimu Mountain Scenic Zone including the above-mentioned attractions, and choose to stay at homestays around the scenic area in the evening to experience local folk customs. On the second day, go to Fuyao Islands, take a cruise to Dayu Mountain Island to admire the island's lakes, grasslands and other beautiful scenery, and return in the afternoon. If time permits, you can also visit Jiuli Stream and Waterfall Scenic Zone to experience water activities such as bamboo rafting.
Travel Tips
- The recommended travel duration is 1-2 days. Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit with pleasant weather. If traveling in summer, take sun protection and mosquito repellent measures; if traveling in winter, keep warm.
- As there are many mountain roads in the scenic area, it is advisable to wear comfortable sports shoes for easy walking.
- You can hire a scenic area interpreter or rent an audio guide to better understand the historical and cultural background of the attractions.
- Taste local specialties such as Fuding White Tea, Fuding Taro Puree, and Fuding Minced Pork Slices at restaurants or snack stalls around the scenic area.
Notes
- Respect local customs and habits, especially in ethnic minority settlements such as Ruiyun She Ethnic Village.
- Some roads in the scenic area are relatively steep, so pay attention to safety while walking, especially for visitors traveling with the elderly and children.
- Protect the scenic area environment, do not litter randomly, and do not damage natural landscapes and cultural relics.
- When visiting Fuyao Islands, follow the instructions of staff and pay attention to boating safety.
- Pay attention to the scenic area's weather changes and relevant announcements in advance to arrange your itinerary reasonably.
Transportation
- To get to Taimu Mountain from Jiangsu and Zhejiang regions, you can first go to Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, and take a direct bus to Taimu Mountain at Wenzhou Xinnan Bus Station, which takes about 2.5 hours.
- Shanghai Hutai Road Long-Distance Bus Station has a daily bus to Taimu Mountain departing at 13:00.
- Special tourist buses are available from downtown Ningde and Fuding City to the scenic area.
- If traveling by self-driving, you can take the Shenhai Expressway and exit at Taimu Mountain Expressway Exit, then follow the road signs to the scenic area. The scenic area has a parking lot for the convenience of visitors.
Opening Hours
Opening hours are from 8:00 to 20:00, subject to the scenic area's announcement.
Ticket Price
The ticket price is 138 yuan per person (including sightseeing bus fare).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "太姥山旅游" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online.
Online Booking
Click here to jump to the Trip.com ticketing platform for ticket purchase.