Niutou Mountain strikes again, with hikers getting stranded.
Early on the 13th, a Weibo post reported that a hiking group of 28 foreign nationals was trapped on Niutou Mountain in Wuyi, quickly drawing widespread attention.
Wuyi Niutou Mountain National Forest Park is situated at the junction of Wuyi and Suichang, drawing hikers and mountaineering enthusiasts with its rugged peaks, steep cliffs, and perilous ravines. However, the area’s complex terrain and frequent rain and fog make trekking quite challenging. So far this year, there have been multiple incidents of hikers being stranded on Niutou Mountain.
Fortunately, after an all-night rescue operation by local firefighters, police, and civilian rescue teams in Wuyi, the 28 foreigners were safely brought down the mountain.
Scenic area staff received a distress call
28 foreigners were stranded on the mountain
Mr. Heng, a manager at Niutou Mountain Scenic Area, was on duty at the park entrance on the evening of May 12. Around 9 PM, two people approached him—one claiming to be a tour guide, saying a group of hikers was stuck on the mountain, and the other being the group's leader.
From the two, they learned that a total of 28 hikers were awaiting rescue, all expatriates working in Shanghai.
It turned out that at 8 AM on May 12, the group had set off as planned from Suichang in Lishui, intending to cross Niutou Mountain and arrive in Wuyi by nightfall. However, due to the mountain’s steep and challenging terrain, many members were fatigued after several hours, and one hiker even injured their foot during the climb.
As it got darker and rain began to fall, the group, still surrounded by dense forests, feared for their safety and decided not to proceed further. They found an empty old house halfway up the mountain, took shelter there, and sent the guide and leader down to seek help.
After learning the situation, Mr. Heng immediately called the police. Soon, the distress signal was relayed to the Wuyi Fire Brigade.
Multi-agency Rescue Launched Overnight
Stranded Hikers Safely Evacuated
The rescue team quickly assembled, and by around 9:50 PM, emergency responders including the Wuyi Fire Department, Zhongshan Mountain Rescue Team of Zhejiang, Wuyi Liucheng Police Station, and professional firefighters arrived at the entrance of Niutou Mountain Scenic Area.
Before launching the rescue, the guide called the stranded hikers to assess the latest conditions and communicate with them. During the call, rescuers were relieved to learn that the hikers were safe—but unexpectedly, the group insisted on camping at the old house.
Despite repeated persuasion from the guide, and considering that the hikers were physically and mentally exhausted—and their resting spot was still a 30–40 minute hike from the scenic area entrance—the rescue team decided to respect their decision and wait until daylight to assist them down the mountain.
Once it was confirmed there was no danger, rescuers descended and returned to base around 2 AM. Around 9 AM on the 13th, all 28 foreign hikers were safely guided down the mountain by a local tour guide.
