Shangshu Mansion – The Most Exquisite Ming Dynasty Official Residence
Located in the center of Taining County, this was the residence of Li Chunye, a scholar who passed the imperial examination in 1616 during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty and later served as the Minister of War and Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, overseeing military logistics in the capital during the Tianqi era. The ancient architectural complex is majestic, rectangular in shape, and all buildings face west and are arranged in a single row. There is a front corridor and a rear garden, making it a classic example of the traditional Taining “three halls and nine buildings” architectural style with firewalls and wooden frames!
This national treasure, the Shangshu Mansion, is the most exquisitely preserved and well-maintained Ming Dynasty residential building in China’s Jiangnan region. Spend an hour here to traverse 400 years of history and uncover the secret behind the owner’s meteoric rise of 14 ranks in just 10 years.
Wild Zhai Xia Valley · A Canyon Wonder
Zhai Xia Grand Canyon is a natural geological museum, where canyons from different geological eras are connected end to end, showcasing landscape formations spanning hundreds of millions of years. Here, you can witness dramatic geological features such as sky-rock formations, cloud-cliff stelae, barrier lakes, and earth-shattering splits. Some say, "Once you’ve seen Zhai Xia, no other valley compares."
Hidden at the bottom of the red cliffs is a barrier lake. Nestled beneath towering cliffs and surrounded by lush bamboo, the tranquil waters resemble a graceful, affectionate woman standing quietly by your side. The rugged masculinity of the red cliffs and the gentle femininity of the green waters form a breathtakingly beautiful scene!
The most fascinating feature of Zhai Xia Grand Canyon: At the top of an overhanging red cliff, within a concave rock about 20 meters in diameter, nature has masterfully carved hundreds of Danxia caves of varying sizes and shapes. Large caves enclose smaller ones, with caves within caves, resembling a cave family. Hanging high overhead, they look from the valley floor like the dome of a sacred hall—noble and grand—yet also like a star-studded sky!
The serene Jiulong (Nine Dragons) Pool captivates with its delicacy and tranquility. Drifting on the clear waters feels ethereal and pristine; wandering into the narrow gorge, the scent of orchids lingers on your clothes—it’s truly a paradise for nurturing true love. Two kilometers-long "sky windows" on the water, along with an underwater tunnel piercing through the mountain, are truly breathtaking.
The vast lake waters perfectly blend with the diverse Danxia landscapes, earning it the title "The World’s No. 1 Danxia Lake and Mountain."
Here, not only are the landscapes extraordinarily beautiful, but the area is also infused with mystical phenomena, creating wonders such as the Immortal Longevity Red Cliff, the Hanging Temple, and the Waterborne Guanyin.
Ecological Mao'er Mountain · Fujian’s Best Eco-Oxygen Bar
Mao'er Mountain National Forest Park boasts striking Danxia red hues, shaded ancient trees, and vines draped everywhere, making it an enchanting place you won’t want to leave. Ascend to the summit of Mao’er, and the panoramic view of the hundred-mile lake and mountain range unfolds before you, offering the exhilarating feeling of "standing atop the highest peak, looking down upon all others."
The Shangqing Stream winds through desolate areas between barren red cliffs and emerald peaks. Drift leisurely on a bamboo raft to fully experience the wild, serene, peculiar, and fascinating beauty of this pristine eco-tour. The Shangqing fairyland is also a spiritual sanctuary, embodying the legend of the "carp leaping through the dragon gate."
Hidden deep within the mountains and valleys, Shangqing Stream combines the waters of Guilin’s Li River, the mountains of Wuyishan, the scenery of Zhangjiajie, the colors of Jiuzhaigou, and the ruggedness of the Three Gorges. As you float downstream, the stream twists and turns through layered red cliffs and emerald peaks, with sharp bends, rapid rapids, and narrow gorges that create a world unto itself. The water either rushes over shoals, barely covering your knees, or pools into deep, unfathomable basins. In wider sections, the stream stretches just over 10 meters, while in narrower parts, it resembles a small alley, less than 2 meters wide. A sliver of sky allows just enough room for a single raft to pass, and the sound of people echoes through the empty valley. The banks are rarely visited by humans, with dense forests that remain in their pristine state for miles around. Year-round, rare flowers and plants bloom, filling the air with subtle fragrances. Along the stream, you’ll often spot wild ducks, mandarin ducks, egrets, and eagles soaring through the woods or playing in the water. Even more remarkable is that every scenic spot offers different views and moods from varying angles and distances, each vivid and lifelike.
Dengke Zhuangyuan Rock · An Ecological School That Nurtured China’s First Cave Scholar
Once the study place of Zou Yinglong, a renowned statesman and the top scholar of the Southern Song Dynasty, this site is steeped in profound Confucian and Taoist culture. It has attracted scholars throughout the ages to visit and pay homage, making it a sacred place to inspire students to study diligently and pray for academic success.
Taining’s Special Local Cuisine
Besides beautiful scenery, what attracts travelers most is the local specialty cuisine—Hakka tofu, stir-fried pork with dried bamboo shoots, braised fatty catfish, thick and crispy black fungus...
Taining Lake Yan Tea: The two types of yan tea, "Sweet Dew Osmanthus" and "Top Scholar Red," both come from Meikou Tea Farm in Taining. The farm enjoys unique ecological conditions, and both cultivation and processing follow organic management practices. The tea offers the captivating "yan flavor" reminiscent of Wuyishan, making it a premium tea.
Every year on the Beginning of Summer, residents in both urban and rural areas make this flavorful snack. Because the thin pancakes are emerald green, resembling jade, they are praised as "Jade Rolls." The fillings for Jade Rolls come in both meat and vegetarian varieties: the meat filling includes stir-fried pork, mushrooms, shredded bamboo shoots, pickled vegetables, long beans, scallions, chili powder, MSG, and sesame oil; the vegetarian version uses mushrooms, pressed tofu, pickled vegetables, long beans, and shallots. This delicious snack is best enjoyed hot—soft, fluffy, and smooth with a fragrant aroma.
Just two short days aren’t enough to take in all of Taining’s splendors. Taining, we’ll definitely be back! For more photography works, see: http://photo.poco.cn/event/event_detail.htx&event_id=33529