Mount Taimu

Mount Taimu

Mount Taimu is a national scenic area, a National AAAAA-level tourist attraction, and a national geopark.

Located on the coast of the East China Sea within the territory of Fuding City, about 45 kilometers south of the city, it stands majestically by the East China Sea and Qingchuan Bay, where mountain and sea blend together. Proud and graceful, with a grand and unique landscape, it is hailed as the "Fairyland on the Sea." It is divided into five scenic areas: Mount Taimu, Jiuli Stream and Waterfalls, Qingchuan Seaside, Fuyao Islands, and Sangyuan Emerald Lake, in addition to two attractions: the Lengcheng Ancient Fortress and Ruiyun Temple.

The Mountain Scenic Area is the main part of Mount Taimu’s scenic landscape, encompassing seven zones including Guoxing Temple, Gourd Cave, One Tile, Jiuli Facing Heaven, Xiangshan Temple, Baiyun Temple, and Tianmen Temple, covering an area of 24.6 square kilometers. Mount Taimu was already thriving during the Tang and Song dynasties. With a long history and numerous ancient temples, it has left behind many relics of literati and artists throughout the ages. At that time, there were thirty-six temples across the north and south of the mountain, among which Guoxing Temple, Ruiyun Temple, Lingfeng Temple, Banana Temple, and Tianwang Temple were the largest. To this day, the ruins of Guoxing Temple still have 360 stone pillars remaining, and in front of the temple there are the Lengjia Pagoda and carvings from the Tang and Song dynasties depicting figures, flowers, birds, and beasts, along with stone tablets. There are also dozens of cliff inscriptions by historical figures such as “The First Mountain Under Heaven,” “Grand View of Mountain and Sea,” and “Daoist, Immortal, and Buddhist Realm.”

Mount Taimu is renowned far and wide for its “Four Wonders”: peculiar rocks, unique caves, steep peaks, and abundant mist. There are 380 scenic spots, including “Eighteen Arhats Ascending the Mountain,” “Immortals Sawing Planks,” “Lovers’ Peak,” “Golden Cat Pouncing on a Mouse,” “Monk Preaching,” and “Golden Turtle Climbing the Cliff.” Truly, “There is no ordinary stone on Mount Taimu—each is crafted as if by the divine. Recognizable as one wills, myriad forms reside in the heart.” The mountain also features many winding and deep caves, each with its own distinctive character. Some extend downward to connect directly with the sea surface, called Tonghai Cave; some stretch upward to reach the top of Jiuli Facing Heaven Rock, called Tongtian Cave; some are flanked by cliffs with only a sliver of sky visible, called One-Line Sky; and some contain mysterious cave-within-cave formations, called Immortal Cave… Some caves offer views of the sunrise, others the ocean tides; some have alchemical wells, and some contain dragon pools. Small ones can accommodate just a few people for rest, while large ones can hold hundreds, even enough space to build pavilions, terraces, towers, and attics.

The Stream and Waterfall Scenic Area consists of the Jiuli Stream and the Stream Mouth Waterfall, as well as the Longting Waterfall.

The Village Scenic Area: Located at the southeastern foot of Mount Taimu, it is home to the She ethnic group. Now part of the Ruiyun She Ethnic Township, visitors here can sample She ethnic snacks and experience She folk customs.

The Islands Scenic Area: Across the sea from Mount Taimu, it includes 13 islands such as Dayushan, Xiaoyushan, Mandarin Duck Island, and Bird Island. The Seaside Scenic Area includes attractions such as Qingchuan Bay, Tiaowei Bay, and Da Xiao Meng Bay.

1. Transportation: To get to Mount Taimu from the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region, you can first go to Wenzhou, Zhejiang. Take a direct bus from Wenzhou Xinnan Bus Station to Mount Taimu, which takes about 2.5 hours. From Shanghai, the Huta Road Long-Distance Bus Station has a daily bus to Mount Taimu at 13:00. Both Ningde City and Fuding City have dedicated tourist buses to the scenic area. Fuding North Bus Station: Address at the head of Tongshan Bridge, Fuding; Tel: 0593-7837001; Qinyu Station: Qinyu Town, Qinchuan Road; Tel: 0593-7263388.

2. Food: Featured Fuding dishes include Taiji Taro Paste (made with Fuding’s specialty taro), Dragon Boat Fish Rolls, and Fish Slice Soup.

3. Accommodation: (Recommended)

A. Taimu Post Garden offers 51 comfortable and elegant suites, single rooms, and standard rooms, totaling 100 beds. Address: Taimu Mountain Parking Lot, Fuding City, Fujian Province; Tel: 0593-7268888.

B. Yuhu Hotel is a two-star tourist hotel facing the East China Sea and backed by the Mount Taimu scenic area. The environment is pleasant, and transportation is convenient. The hotel has a garden layout, mainly featuring three types of architecture: antique-style, wood imitation, and traditional residential, giving it an old-world charm and an elegant, comfortable feel.

Address: Within Fuding City, Ningde, 45 kilometers from downtown

Type: National Park, Forest, Mountain, Lake, Temple

Rating: AAAAA

Recommended Visit Duration: 1–2 days

Tel: 0593-7856777

Official Website: http://www.517time.com/

Opening Hours:

8:00-20:00

Ticket Information:

Ticket: 155 RMB (includes 40 RMB for the scenic shuttle bus); Children between 1.2m and 1.5m, full-time students, and non-Fuding residents aged 60+ with valid ID receive half-price tickets; children under 1.2m enter free.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of National Scenic Areas

Guoxing Temple Scenic Area

Statue of Goddess Taimu

One Tile Scenic Area

Fuding Xiangshan Temple Scenic Area

Pingxing Temple

Lingfeng in Liancheng, Taimu Mountain

Immortal Welcome Terrace Scenic Area

Nine Carp Peaks Scenic Area

Gourd Cave Scenic Area