Moyao Peak Scenic Area

Moyao Peak Scenic Area

Moyao Peak Scenic Area is the best place in Mount Taimu for elevated views. Also called New Moon Peak, the summit is equipped with an observation deck, a TV transmission station, and other facilities, making it ideal for an overnight stay to admire the moon or catch the sunrise. Below the peak are the Baiyun Temple (Moyao Hermitage), built during the Tang Dynasty under Emperor Xuanzong, and the Moin Palace, the earliest known Manichaean site in China. Other sights include the Beauty Offering Flowers and the Stone Boat. Surrounding Baiyun Temple are cliff inscriptions such as “The Finest Mountain Under Heaven,” penned by Dongfang Shuo, as well as sights like the Flowing Rice Cave and the Golden Toad Holding a Money Tree. Adjacent to Moyao Peak is Mount Fuding, the highest peak in Mount Taimu, which has a sunrise viewing platform. After visiting this area, you can continue toward Tianmen Temple via Tiandoor Ridge, or head to Wulonggang to experience the rugged cliffs of Mount Taimu.

Baiyun Temple, also known as Moyao Hermitage and commonly called the Upper Temple, was founded by Monk Baiyun in the 13th year of the Kaiyuan era of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. Historical records describe its original structure as “three Buddhist halls surrounded by four monk dormitories, all perched atop the summit.” Despite periods of decline and restoration, key structures such as the Mahavira Hall, scripture hall, and monks’ quarters have retained their original form. Most people with basic knowledge of Buddhism understand that temples and hermitages serve different purposes—temples house monks, while hermitages are for nuns—so why the exception here? A touching legend explains. During the Kaiyuan era, Monk Baiyun traveled across famous mountains and, captivated by the majestic beauty of Mount Taimu, chose to reside there in meditation. He built a temple on a relatively flat area south of Moyao Peak, naming it “Baiyun Temple.” After its completion, pilgrims flocked to the site. However, the area was plagued by malevolent spirits that often appeared at night to frighten people. The powerful Monk Baiyun could not tolerate such disturbances. Armed with his staff, he patrolled the mountains and valleys daily, subduing demons including rat spirits, monkey goblins, snake monsters, and fish demons one by one. Within a month, the spirits vanished, and peace returned to the temple. Delighted, the pilgrims celebrated the demon-free tranquility. Because the word for “peace” (安) sounds like “hermitage” (庵), over time the name evolved into “Moyao Hermitage.”

Located behind Baiyun Temple, Moyao Peak has a flat summit now home to modern structures like a TV transmission station, a forestry observation deck, and a telecommunications tower, complementing the historic sites. According to Qing Dynasty county magistrate Fu Weizu of Fuding in his travelogue *A Record of Visiting Mount Taimu*: “Climbing from the right side of the temple to Moin Palace leads to the summit of Moyao. The top is quite flat, with a stone chamber, stone boat, golden sand beach, Sky Pillar Rock, and Looking-up-to-the-Sky Lake all located there.” The Ming Dynasty’s Chen Zhongzhen wrote in his *Record of Visiting Mount Taimu*: “From this height, all the mountains stretch out before you. In the distance, you can see Dragon Head, Five Tigers, as well as regions of Fujian, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and even Japan and Ryukyu—all within view, allowing you to gauge directions.” Xie Zhaozhe remarked: “Looking out from on high, the sea meets the sky, while islands like Yushan and Qinyu emerge and vanish amid the waves, like gulls floating on the water.”

Moyao Peak stands alone yet is not isolated: to the northeast is New Moon Peak, to the south is Lotus Peak, and facing it are peaks like Divine Ram, Stone Tiger, and Sky Pillar, all connected in spirit. The glass-domed circular observation hall on the summit has replaced the ancient sunrise platform that collapsed during the Tang Dynasty. From this comfortable vantage point, you can witness the spectacular sunrise over the East China Sea and enjoy the poetic imagery of moonlight casting a hazy glow over darkened cliffs. This “grand view of mountain and sea” inspired literary figures such as Han Dynasty’s Dongfang Shuo, Tang Dynasty’s Xue Lingzhi, and Ming Dynasty’s Qin Bangqi to compose poems. Lines like “Jagged peaks like jade lotuses rise in tiers, Six-six ranges unfold in the distance” and “Gazing afar to the edge of the sea, I seem to tread the path of immortals” were left in admiration.

Moin Palace is a Manichaean heritage site. Manichaeism was founded in the 3rd century BCE by a Persian (modern-day Iran) man named Mani, whose teachings promoted light. After spreading to China, it evolved into a secretive folk organization, famously known as the White Lotus Sect. The Moin Palace in Mount Taimu was built around the early Tang Dynasty and is the earliest known Manichaean site discovered in China. German scholar Lin Yaming conducted research on it, and counties like Xiapu and Cangnan once had Manichaean followers. The Ming Dynasty literatus Fu Ruzhou composed a five-character poem here titled *Moin Palace*: “The day the Goddess of Taimu ascended was at Moin Palace.” Later, it was renamed Dream Terrace. Pilgrims who stayed overnight with incense near their pillows were said to receive divine messages from the Goddess. Whether seeking fortune or offspring, their wishes were fulfilled. Though small, this palace is one of the three wonders of Mount Taimu and represents its highest form of cultural heritage.

An ancient tree emerges from a narrow crevice in a rock, its trunk upright and branches lush. The rock resembles a toad with the tree in its mouth, hence the name “Golden Toad Holding a Money Tree.” This is another scenic highlight of Mount Taimu. Legend has it that long ago, two poor brothers in the mountains made a living chopping wood. One day, the kind-hearted elder brother found a string of gleaming golden keys and went out of his way to return them to their owner. The money-obsessed younger brother, however, tried to seize the keys to find a hidden treasure trove. In his haste, he fell into a pond and transformed into a large toad, croaking desperately for help. Seeing this, the elder brother sought assistance from the monks, who advised him to throw a chain of coins into the water to lure his brother out. But the greedy toad bit the coins and pulled them underwater. Faced with his brother’s avarice, the elder brother let go. With a wave of the old monk’s finger, clouds churned and the scene turned murky—the toad turned to stone, and the coins became a money tree. Since then, this unique sight has graced the mountain.