Shiniu Mountain in Dehua

Shiniu Mountain in Dehua

Shiniu Mountain in Dehua is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Shiniu Mountain is located in the eastern part of Dehua County, with its main peak standing at an elevation of 1,781 meters. It gets its name from a rock on the mountain that resembles a cow. Legend has it that the mountain is associated with Laozi, the Supreme Old Lord, who rode a green ox and appeared here.

The mountain is a typical and well-preserved radial volcanic collapse basin. The peaks formed by this Mesozoic-era volcano feature a rich and wonderfully diverse array of rocky caves and formations. Coupled with the various myths and legends attributed to it, this natural landscape takes on an even more enchanting charm. Many rocks bear miraculous shapes—some stand sheer and upright like memorial archways or city gates, while others resemble pen racks, reclining couches, blooming flowers, or flying phoenixes and other animals. The area is densely clustered with caves, numbering over a hundred in total, with caves within caves and winding, twisting passages. According to legend, during the Shaoxing era of the Southern Song Dynasty, the Taoist priests Zhang Ziguang from Yongtai, Xiao Langrui from Xianyou, and Zhang Langqing from Minqing once battled demons here. Dozens of rock surfaces feature mysterious footprints, finger imprints, as well as relics such as Sword-Pierced Rock, Iron Anvil Rock, Sword-Washing Spring, Stone Basin, and Yanfa Terrace.

At the foot of the mountain lies the ancient Shihu Temple, which was first built in the 39th year of the Chongzhen reign during the Ming Dynasty (1640). It was burned down during wartime chaos in 1939 but has been restored in recent years through fundraising efforts by overseas Chinese and local villagers. In front of the temple lies Dragon Pool, in which a stone cow lies half-submerged, looking remarkably lifelike. Shiniu Mountain also retains ancient sites such as the “First Heavenly Gate,” “Second Heavenly Gate,” “Third Heavenly Gate,” “Longevity Pagoda,” “Shihu Blessed Land,” “Cave Heaven,” “Great Guest Platform,” as well as some blurred cliff inscriptions and engravings.

Transportation: Take a long-distance bus from Quanzhou to Dehua, then transfer to a bus heading to Shiniu Mountain.