Located in Wuyishan City, Nanping City, Fujian Province, Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area is one of the first batch of national key scenic spots, a national 5A-level tourist attraction. In December 1999, it was listed in the World Heritage List by UNESCO, becoming a "World Natural and Cultural Double Heritage". The scenic area covers a planned area of 79 square kilometers, with an average altitude of 350 meters. It belongs to the typical Danxia landform, known as the "Blue Water and Red Rocks" and "the Most Beautiful Scenery in Southeast China". The area is rich in clear springs, waterfalls, mountain streams, and rivers. The Jiuqu Stream originates from the south foot of Huanggang Mountain in the Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve, with a total length of 60 kilometers, flowing 9.5 kilometers through the scenic area.
History and Culture
Wuyi Mountain is the cradle of Zhuzi Neo-Confucianism and an important base for the world to study Zhuzi Neo-Confucianism and even Oriental culture. Since the Song and Ming dynasties, great Confucian scholars such as Yang Shi, You Zuo, Zhu Xi, and Wang Yangming have long stayed here. Zhu Xi founded the Min School, a new branch of Neo-Confucianism, in Wuyi Mountain, becoming a master of Neo-Confucianism. So far, Wuyi Mountain still retains many cliff inscriptions by Zhu Xi and other ancient outstanding figures, with more than 450 inscriptions since the Song Dynasty.
Early human activities in Wuyi Mountain can be traced back to the Neolithic Age about 10,000 years ago. The cotton fragments in burial objects such as shelf coffins and Hongqiao boards are the earliest cotton textile relics found in China so far. The Western Han Minyue King City Ruins, covering an area of 480,000 square meters, is the best-preserved Han Dynasty ancient city south of the Yangtze River in China. Its site selection, layout, architectural techniques, and style are all unique, representing a typical ancient southern Chinese city.
In addition, Wuyi Mountain has a prosperous Taoist and Buddhist culture. As early as the mid-8th century, the Taoist Tianbao Temple was built in Wuyi Mountain and listed as the "Shenzhen Yuanhua Dongtian" among the thirty-six Taoist caves; in the mid-10th century, Wuyi Mountain was designated as a Taoist mountain, and Chongyou Temple was one of the nine famous Taoist temples in the country. After the 11th century, Wuyi Mountain joined the Buddhist "Huazhou Eight Small Famous Mountains", with religious cultural sites spreading throughout Wuyi Mountain. During its peak period, as many as 187 temples, ancestral halls, Taoist temples, and academies were built.
Main Attractions
Tianyou Peak
Located in the center of the scenic area, it connects Xianyou Rock in the east, Qingyin Rock in the south, and Xianzhang Peak in the west, towering above the peaks with steep cliffs. When the sky clears after rain and the morning sun rises, visitors can enjoy the grand view of the sea of clouds, and sometimes the wonderful "Buddha's Light".
Yixiantian (One-Line Sky)
Also known as Yizitian, it is located in a deep canyon south of the Erqu Stream at the southern end of Wuyi Mountain peaks. There is a huge rock leaning out, covering three adjacent caves. The top of the rock has a fissure more than 100 zhang long and less than 1 meter wide. Leaning into the cave, visitors can look up to see the unique scenery of a thin line of sky.
Taoyuan Cave
Located within the Liqu Stream of Wuyi Mountain, this place is extremely deep and secluded. Stone cliffs lean against each other to form a gate. Walking in a winding path, there is a stream flowing under a stone bridge, and suddenly an open area appears, just like the "Peach Blossom Land" described by Tao Yuanming. It contains palaces such as the Sanqing Hall, Yuhuang Hall, Lingguan Hall, and Shanmen.
Yunwo (Cloud Nest)
Located under Tianyou Peak, there are more than 10 caves of different sizes. In the morning and evening of winter and spring, clouds often float out of the caves, wandering gently among the peaks and rocks, curling and changing unpredictably. Surrounding it are scenic spots such as Xiangsheng Rock, Danlu Rock, and Xianji Rock.
Wuyi Palace Scenic Area
Also known as Huixian Temple, Chongyou Temple, and Wannian Palace, it is located at the southern foot of Dawang Peak, facing the mouth of the Jiuqu Stream. It is the place where emperors of past dynasties sacrificed to Wuyi Jun and one of the six famous Taoist temples in the Song Dynasty. It includes scenic spots such as Song Street, Wuyi Mountain Historical Relics Exhibition Hall, and Sanqing Hall.
Dahongpao (Big Red Robe) Scenic Area
The peaks are steep and the canyons are deep, presenting unique charm of rock ravines. Some peaks stand isolated, while others lean obliquely, tilt upward, stack like layers, or split like cleavages, showcasing bizarre and indescribable shapes. Streams crisscross the mountains and waterfalls hang down, with scenic spots such as Xiabin Rock, Yingzui Rock, Jiulongke, and Tianxin Rock within the area.
Shuiliandong (Water Curtain Cave) Scenic Area
Located in the middle of Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area, the core attraction Shuiliandong is the largest cave in Wuyi Mountain, known as the "Most Beautiful in the Mountains". Formed by rock collapse, Shuiliandong is more than 80 meters high and more than 170 meters wide, convex at the top and concave at the bottom. The cave is bright enough to hold a thousand people, with red cliffs covered in inscriptions. The area also includes Yanzi Peak, Danxia Peak, and Sanxian Temple.
Food
Langu Smoked Goose
Using moderately fat and thin Minbei white geese as raw materials, after plucking and washing, they are cooked to 70-80% doneness, drained, coated with seasonings, and then smoked with glutinous rice, cinnamon leaves, and tea leaves. It has a golden color, is spicy but not greasy, tender but not fishy.
Zixi Noodles
The local unique noodles are thick, soft, and tough. The blanched noodles are poured with a rich soup base and served with various fried ingredients, salty, fresh, and spicy, which can be paired with pickled cabbage and dried radish.
Xingcun Guangbing (Crispy Cake)
The filling is scallions and minced meat. After blanching the dough embryo, it is pasted around the wall of a charcoal-fired stove and baked for 3 to 5 minutes. After being taken out of the oven, a layer of oil is applied, resulting in a crispy crust and a fragrant meat filling.
Wengong Dish
Made from lean pork, fine flour, eggs, and white lentils, the biscuit flour is mixed with lean meat to form a dough. Fat pork slices are placed at the bottom of the plate, with layers of meat balls, soybeans, and egg skins stacked on top, and a mushroom placed at the top, then steamed.
Kuozi (Rice Cake Strips)
Thumb-sized rice cake strips are seasoned and cooked with pork belly slices, braised and steamed, with a rich and bright color, and a salty, fragrant, and glutinous taste.
Shanfen Bao (Mountain Starch Dumpling)
Using top-grade local taro and special potato starch as the skin, with fillings fried from fresh local pork, mushrooms, etc., pinched into a triangular shape, both glutinous and soft, smooth and delicious.
Tickets
Tickets start from 70 yuan.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "中国武夷山" to get the latest updates or purchase tickets online. There are many types of tickets, please buy according to your needs.
Opening Hours
From March 1 to November 30: 06:30-18:00, last entry at 16:30;
From December 1 to February 28 of the following year: 07:00-17:00, last entry at 16:00.
Tour Routes
One-day Tour: Tianyou Peak → Chadong (Tea Cave) → Yuhua Peak → Yunwo (Cloud Nest) → Xuehua Spring → Xianyu Pool → Humajian Tianyou Temple → Yilan Pavilion → Taoyuan Cave → Shabu Rock → Yinping Peak → Tianyou Pavilion → Zhongzheng Park → Jiuqu Stream Rafting → Wuyi Palace.
Two-day Tour: First day, Tianyou Peak Scenic Area (visit Yunwo → Chadong → Yinping Peak → Tianyou Peak → Tianyou Pavilion, etc.) → Jiuqu Stream Scenic Area (visit Jiuqu Stream bamboo rafting → Wuyi Palace → Song Street → Wuyi Tea Culture); Second day, Yixiantian → Fengdong (Wind Cave) → Shenxian Pavilion → Huxiao Eight Sceneries → Shuiliandong → Yingzui Rock → Tianchejia → Jiulongke → Dafo (Big Buddha) → Dahongpao Scenic Area.
Circum-Wuyi Mountain Cycling Route: Starting from Wuyi Square in Wuyi Mountain Resort, cycling around Wuyi Mountain, passing through the north entrance of the scenic area, Xiaozhulin, Lianhua Peak, Lantang Bridge, etc., ending back at Wuyi Square in Wuyi Mountain Resort, with a total length of about 50 kilometers.
Wuyi Mountain Hiking Route: Starting from the first bend of the Jiuqu Stream in Wuyi Mountain, hiking up Nvyu Peak first, then passing through Yixiantian, Huxiaoyan and other scenic spots, arriving at the terminal Xingcun Bamboo Raft Wharf, with a total length of about 12 kilometers and a hiking time of about 6-7 hours.
Transportation
- High-speed Railway: Take buses No. 6, 7, or 9 at Wuyishan North Station to directly reach the resort or the south/north entrances of the scenic area; at Nanping City Station, take K1 to the south entrance of the scenic area or get off at bus stops along the resort, or take the Wuyi Tram to the south entrance of the scenic area.
- Air Travel: After arriving at Wuyi Mountain Airport, take buses No. 6, 7, or 9 to the resort.
- Self-driving: Choose [Jiuqu Toll Station] or [Wuyishan Toll Station] to enter the resort.
- Parking Lots: The south entrance, north entrance of the main scenic area, and other attractions all have parking lots. The scenic area has also added temporary free parking lots such as Lanyuan Parking Lot and Shuixiu Parking Lot.
Must-visit Attractions
- Tianyou Peak: The core attraction of the scenic area, offering a grand view of the sea of clouds and "Buddha's Light", with magnificent scenery on the peak, overlooking the Jiuqu Stream and surrounding peaks.
- Jiuqu Stream: The essence of Wuyi Mountain's natural landscape. Taking a bamboo raft downstream, you can admire 36 strange peaks and 99 rocks, feeling like "traveling in a painting".
- Dahongpao Scenic Area: Famous for tea, it allows visitors to enjoy the unique Danxia landform and tea garden scenery, and understand the Dahongpao tea culture.
- Shuiliandong (Water Curtain Cave): The largest cave in Wuyi Mountain, known as the "Most Beautiful in the Mountains", with many inscriptions in the cave and beautiful surrounding scenery.
Tour Tips
- Pay attention to the weather in the scenic area in advance, choose a suitable time to travel, and be careful of slippery roads in rainy days.
- If time permits, arrange a 3-day trip to slowly enjoy the beauty of the scenic area and deeply experience the local culture.
- When rafting on a bamboo raft, you should follow the instructions of the staff and take good care of your personal belongings to prevent them from falling into the water.
- When tasting local food, choose according to personal taste. If you can't eat spicy food, you can inform in advance to put less chili when ordering Langu Smoked Goose and other dishes.
Notes
- Smoking is strictly prohibited in the scenic area, and damaging vegetation and cultural relics is forbidden.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes when hiking, avoid high heels or slippers to prevent falling and injury.
- Take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures during summer travel, and carry sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and other items.
- Observe order when taking transportation, and keep personal belongings safe, especially in crowded places.
- Book tickets and accommodation through formal channels to avoid being deceived, and book in advance during peak tourist seasons such as holidays.