Shangqing Stream in Sanming

Shangqing Stream in Sanming

Spanning over 50 kilometers, the stream features stunning, picturesque, and serene views. The 15-kilometer stretch from Chongji to Changxing lies within a deep mountain canyon, where crimson cliffs and red rock faces squeeze the stream into meandering, irregular paths, known for having “ninety-nine bends and eighty-eight shoals.” The widest section of the water spans just 20 meters, and the narrowest is only wide enough for double-file boat passage. The shores are seldom frequented by people, covered in dense forests, and remain in a pristine state across dozens of square kilometers, forming a landscape characterized by numerous bends, rapid shoals, deep pools, towering mountains, thick woods, and a confined valley.

Major tourist attractions include: Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate, Golden Bell Ringing, Five Elders Gazing at Immortals, Sunshine in Three Layers, Peacock Spreading Its Tail, Eagle Perching Cliff, Sunset Glow Wall, and Mirage, among others. The sky seems pressed by the mountains, and the water seems released by the rocks; layers of peaks unfold a world apart. During the Ming Dynasty, Chi Xianfang, an official of the Ministry of Rites, wrote “A Travelogue of Shangqing Stream,” describing it as: “Turning to a new scene is like closing a door; imagining a scene is like flipping through a dream; encountering a scene is like interpreting a letter; revisiting a scene is like meeting an old friend,” adding that “the wonders here surpass even those of the Nine Bend River.”

Bamboo raft tours on Shangqing Stream are available year-round, and Mandarin ducks and wild ducks are often seen playing in the stream, unbothered by visitors.

Address: 22 kilometers northeast of Taining County, Fujian Province.

Bamboo raft fare: 285 RMB per three-person raft

Entrance ticket: 95 RMB

Opening hours: 07:30 – 16:00.