Qingtian Golden Rooster Mountain

　　Golden Rooster Mountain, also called Scarf Mountain or Gold Mountain, belongs to the southern section of the Donggong Mountain Range. It lies in Tang?? Township, about 38 kilometers southeast of Qingtian County, bordering Ouhai District of Wenzhou to the east, Rui’an to the south, and Wencheng to the west. Its geographical coordinates are 27.57.93° N and 120.14.70° E. The main peak stands at an elevation of 1,320.7 meters. Viewed from afar, it resembles an elderly man wearing a scarf and sitting upright, hence the name “Scarf Mountain,” also colloquially referred to as Golden Rooster Mountain. Towering and majestic, it rises high into the clouds and is known as the “Number One Peak of Eastern Ou.” The terrain of Golden Rooster Mountain is rugged, featuring uniquely shaped peaks, deep valleys, peculiar rocks, and ever-changing sea of clouds, earning it the reputation of the “Little Huangshan of the South.” It also serves as the watershed between Rui’an and Qingtian, as well as between Wenzhou and Lishui.

　　Golden Rooster Mountain covers a total area of 84 square kilometers, surrounded by ranges of mountains that resemble dragons or crouching tigers, encircling the base. It is also bordered by mountain streams such as Sidu River, Wulujikeng, Chifankeng, and Sijiaokeng, making the landscape both majestic and precipitous. Around the main peak, there are spectacular cliffs, strange rocks, canyons, and caves. There are over 30 scenic spots for exploration, including Nine Turtles Facing the Sky, Monk Worshiping the Sky, Cloud Cave, and Yang Mansion Cave. To the south lies a gently sloping plateau shaped like a horse saddle, offering visitors ample space for leisure activities. The mountain is covered with dense vegetation and rich tree species, enjoying a healthy ecosystem. Below 800 meters, it is mainly mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, while above 800 meters, it is dominated by alpine shrubbery. Golden Rooster Mountain is home to a diverse range of wildlife and plants. Among them, hundreds of acres of wild ancient camellias bloom brilliantly in bright red flowers every March, a rare spectacle. In May, the mountains are blanketed with colorful azaleas, creating a unique scene. The mountain’s climate is highly variable, with temperatures averaging 10°C lower than those in nearby Wenzhou, Rui’an, and Qingtian city areas. It receives abundant rainfall, has many foggy days, and is often shrouded in drifting clouds and mist, with distant peaks appearing and disappearing like a scene from a fairyland.

　　The mountain features Taoist temples and Buddhist shrines such as Bailin Taoist Temple, Yang Mansion Holy King Hall, Xianling Temple, and Guanyin Cave, as well as seventy-two cave heavens including Shushu Qingtian, Cloud Mist, Monkey, Yang Mansion, and Santian. It is a great destination for exploring China's millennia-old Taoist and Buddhist cultural heritage. Every year, numerous pilgrims visit Golden Rooster Mountain for religious worship, especially during major dates such as the first day of the Lunar New Year, June 19th, September 19th, and various holidays. Most visitors come from Wenzhou, Rui’an, Wencheng, and Qingtian. At the foot of the mountain, there are transportation routes such as Provincial Highway 57 (Qingdai Line), the road from Tang?? Township to Golden Rooster Mountain, the road from Renzhuang to Shuangling to Golden Rooster Mountain, and the road from Rui’an via Heshang?? to Golden Rooster Mountain, making access quite convenient.

　　Golden Rooster Mountain offers distinct experiences in each season. In spring, lush plants, blooming mountain flowers, and babbling streams create a serene rural charm. In summer, strong mountain breezes bring a refreshing coolness, giving one a transcendent, otherworldly feeling. In autumn, with clear skies stretching as far as the eye can see, the cities of Wenzhou and Rui’an seem like mirages on the horizon, while the Feiyun River looks like a white ribbon dancing across the southern sky. In winter, the entire mountain is blanketed in snow and rime, resembling thousands of silver waves or towering ice pillars, as if pear blossoms have bloomed everywhere. Watching the sunrise pierce through the clouds in the early morning, with golden rays and radiant clouds, or gazing at the setting sun melting into gold at dusk, when evening clouds merge like jade, truly captures the feeling of “myriad valleys filled with rosy clouds, and mountain shadows fading at dusk.” From the summit, the view is expansive — you can see blue skies, white clouds, undulating mountain ranges, winding rivers, and dotted towns and villages, forming a magnificent and beautiful scene. Golden Rooster Mountain has developed unique landscapes such as the Golden Rooster Buddha’s Light, the Golden Rooster Sea of Clouds, and the Golden Rooster Azalea Forest.

　　Watch the sunrise atop the mountain, witness the Buddha’s Light, savor Zen, chat about wellness, and enjoy ecology. Golden Rooster Mountain blends natural and cultural landscapes, making it an ideal summer retreat and leisure destination.