Mount Wuyi

Mount Wuyi is located in Fujian Province ant its boundary with Jiangxi Province, running along for about 500 km at an average altitude of over 1,000 m. the legend says that in the area of Tang Yao a senior man called Peng Zu took hermitage in the mountain with his sons Wu and Yi, who first developed his area, therefore the mountain was referred to as Mount Wuyi in their honor. Yet other folks say that this was once the settlement of the ancient Minyue people governed by their King Wuyi, hence the mountain’s name.

Mount Wuyi Scenic Area is in the southern suburb of Wuyishan City, Fujian Province, the southeastern section of northern Mount Wuyi ranges, a strap above sea level in average. Geologically, the mountain is made up of low hills of red sand rocks, namely the Danxia landform. For the crustal movement of hundreds of millions of years, the topography had been changing all the time that finally created the present shooting peaks flanked by clear streams, which brings to the mountain the honor of “the most miraculous and graceful in southern China”. 

The total area of this heritage is 999.75 square kilometers, the second vast in China that have been included in World Heritage List. In accordance with the features of the resources, the area consists of four protected areas: Wuyishan National Nature Reserve (56,527 ha) in the west, Nine-Bend Stream Ecological Protection Area (36,400 ha) in the centre and Wuyishan National Scenic Area (7,000 ha) in the east are contiguous, and the Protection Area for the Remains of Ancient Han Dynasty (48 ha) is a separate area, about 15km to the south-east. Totaling 99,975 ha, the property is surrounded by a buffer zone of 27,888 ha and has been inscribed for cultural as well as scenic and biodiversity values.

Main Attractions in Mount Wuyi

A Distance View of the Great King Peak in Wuyi Mountains

Great King Peak

Located at the outlet of Nine-Bend Stream, Great King Peak is surrounded by precipices, and tourists can only climb up with the help of a ladder in a crack between two rocks in the south. A path leads to the top after passing through the ladder. There are several tourist attractions at the peak, such as Tianjian Pool, Toulong Cave, Crane Rock and the site of Shengzhen Taoist Temple. In the shape of a gauze cap, it is also called Gauze Cap Peak. In the Song Dynasty, a story about the Great King and Jade Maiden was spread far and wide. Since then the peak has become the symbol of the Great King, hence the name Great King Peak.

Wuyi Mountains

Maiden Peak

In the shape of a pretty girl, Maiden Peak stands to the south of Nine-Bend Stream and Two-Bend Stream. It faces Great King Peak across a stream, with the Iron Slab Peak in the middle. At the foot of Maiden Peak lies Yuxiang Pond, which has a "seal stone" in it. Legend has it that the "seal stone" was a token of love given by the Great King to Maiden. On the eastern side of Maiden Peak lies a round rock in the shape of a mirror, which is the dressing table. Two Chinese characters, meaning "Dressing Table" are inscribed on the cliff, which is the largest stone inscription on Mount Wuyi.

There is a beautiful legend about the Maiden Peak, a fairy maiden, fell in love with Dawang, an earthly king. She came to Mount Wuyi and enjoyed its fantastic natural beauty very much together with the king. So she decided to stay there. However, a demon named Tiepan (Iron Plate) informed the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor flew into a rage and turned the demon into a peak, known as Tiepan Peak, to separate Great King Peak from Maiden Peak. Therefore, the two lovers couldn't see each other though they were only a short distance away. 

The Heavenly Tour Peak in Mount Wuyi

Heavenly Tour Peak

Situated in the central part of Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area, Tianyou Peak (Tianyou Peak), 410 meters above sea level, is protected by some famed peaks on four sides and surrounded by Nine-Bend Stream on three sides. Standing at the top of Tianyou Peak, visitors can have a panoramic view of Wuyi Mountain and appreciate a sea of clouds after rain or at dawn. Fortunate tourists can also view the "Holy Light."  Huma Mountain Stream at the top runs down directly from the peak, looking like a piece of white silk, hence got a name "Snow-flake Spring," which is a wonder in the mountain. Main tourist attractions include the site of the imperial tea garden, Cloud Nest, Jiesun Peak, Yinping Peak and Shangyue Pavilion.

Wuyi Mountains

Nine-Bend Stream

Nine-Bend Stream originates from the southern foot of Huanggang Mountain, flows to Wuyi Mountain via Star Village with nine bends and converges into Chong Stream in front of Wuyi Palace. Nine-Bend Stream flows from west to east, each bend having its own unique landscape, and the water is so clear that tourists can see stones at the bottom. Along the winding stream, there are tranquil and secluded scenic spots, shoals and deep pools. Tourists may float on a bamboo raft downstream from Star Village, or do drifting against the current from Wuyi Palace, and at the same time, they may appreciate all the landscapes within half a day.

The Water Curtain Cave in Wuyi Mountains

Water Curtain Cave

With an area of 17 square kilometres, the Water Curtain Cave is the largest rock cavern in Mount Wuyi. The cave is 100 meters high and wide. It is very spacious and bright inside the cave, where altars were built for memorizing three outstanding literates of the Song Dynasty. In front of the cave, bubbles formed in a clear stream resemble a collection of white pearls being tossed over the rapids. Sometimes gusts of wind sweep up water droplets moving in all directions and forming a beautiful curtain of water. For more than 1000 years, literates have flocked here to write poems and prose praising the place for its enchanting beauty.

The Tiger Howling Rock in Mount Wuyi

Tiger Howling Rock

Tiger Howling Rock (Huxiao Rock)rises straight from the ground. It is imposing and powerful. One may feel puzzled about the name of the rock. A legend has it that once a supernatural being passed the rock astride a tiger. Every time the tiger got on the rock, he heard an orotund sound of a tiger roaring. He felt puzzled and wanted to find where the sound generated, but he got no answer. However, today this mystery has been unveiled. In the middle of the rock there is a huge cave. When the wind blows through the cave it makes a sound like a tiger roaring. 

The Wuyi Palace in Mount Wuyi

Wuyi Palace

Wuyi Palace, which sits at the mouth of Nine-Bend Stream, was first constructed in the Tang Dynasty, and now preserves two Dragon wells: Wannian Palace and Sanqing Hall. At present, Wamuan Palace serves as the memorial hall of Zhu Xi, and grows two sweet-scented osmanthus trees in the courtyard with over 1,000-year history, known as "kings of sweet-scented osmanthus trees." Now International Orchid College is located in Sanging Hall, which holds four tablets. The Song Dynasty Street, 300 meters long, starts from the Memorial Hall of Zhu Xi, and passes by some historical sites, such as stone memorial archway, Sanqing Hall, Ancestor Peng's Mountain House, Wuzhu Private Bank, teahouse, Gebi Art Hall, Mount Wuyi Museum and Bidan Restaurant. Close to the Song Dynasty Street, tourists can find the "Mount Wuyi Villa" which won the first prize of national architecture, and the "Manting Mountain House," showing the unique design style.

The Mother Tea Trees of Da Hong Pao in Wuyi Mountains

Da Hong Pao

Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) Scenic Area is a magical and enchanted valley, features teafields, rural buildings, the biggest temple in Wuyi Mountain - Tianxin Yongle Temple and the four famous Da Hong Pao tea trees. The four tea trees are known as the "king of the tea", claimed to have an age of more than 1,000 years. Some other famous scince spots in this area are: Niulanken Pit, Three-Flower Peak, Leishi Rock, Horse Head Rock, Wuyuan Cave, Duxia Rock, and so on.


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