Live Your Best Lives
Fujian has always been a favorite province of mine. From south to north, from east to west, I've visited nearly every famous spot. Mount Taimu and Dayu Island are my favorites. Given the chance, I'd love to return time and again to capture the beautiful scenery in every season and every weather.
The mountains stretch out in a continuous line, and clouds surround them like a woman's shawl. In the distance is the city, and in the distance is the sea. The green shadows of the waves are mountains and boulders.
This was the first time that my friends and I went to Mount Taimu together. This trip mainly focused on Mount Taimu and Dayushan Island, both of which are the most beautiful attractions near Fuding City.
Our car dropped us off at the Yuhu Hotel. After checking in, our guide, Wang, led us to the nearby Taimu Niangniang Statue Square. It was raining heavily that day, making the sky dark and foggy, so it was best to arrive early to enjoy the view! This square is truly the best place to see the scenery before heading up the mountain! Behind the Taimu Niangniang Statue Square are the peaks of Taimu Mountain.
The square overlooks the most beautiful scenery of Taimu Mountain, the Haitian Mountain Line. Although it was raining heavily, the visibility in the mountains was very high, and the clouds and mist were swirling, and the vegetation was lush, like a fairyland.
We returned to the hotel and continued walking up the mountain. We soon arrived at the Couple Peak Square. From here we would officially start climbing. We had arrived at Taimu Mountain. At this time, everyone's equipment was fully covered with raincoats and umbrellas. There were many bare rocks and caves in the mountains, and wearing raincoats would prevent us from getting wet.
Passing by Guoxing Temple, there are seven stone pillars with lotus bases, but it was under renovation this time, so I didn’t get to see it up close.
Longtan Lake consists of two lakes, one above and one below. Looking down at Taimu Mountain from below gives it a more layered feel! Although it is late autumn, the vegetation on Taimu Mountain is still lush and green, giving the impression of a season reversal.
The faintly visible climbing path already posed a challenge to us, but we remained steadfast and continued to climb. Soon, we reached the first viewing platform in the middle of the stairs. The view was filled with greenery, and the distant sea of clouds was also visible.
From here on, the mountain road changes from a wide stone staircase densely covered in woods to a bare cecal path between huge rocks.
There is an occasional tree, which seems to be trying to survive in the cracks! This section of the open-air skylight is really narrow, and you have to take off your bag. Although I didn’t bring a bag, I still had to squeeze hard to get through with my 90 catties weight. I almost couldn’t get through. It seems to be a real skylight!
We climbed along the boulders, the heavy rain not stopping us. Looking back, we saw a huge rock weathered into a natural bridge, which might break off in a few years.
The view from a high place is so breathtaking. The scenery where the sea and the sky meet is further enhanced by the presence of Mount Taimu.
Continuing on the rocky mountain road, the scenery here is already very perfect, from high to low Taimu Mountain rocks, sea of clouds, mountains, sea, islands...
A wind-blown stone, a stone in the air, may be blown down at any time. Maybe after a few decades of weathering, it will indeed be blown away!
Before reaching the summit, there's a spectacular view of the mountains and sea that you absolutely can't miss. However, we couldn't see it due to the heavy rain, otherwise the scenery would be truly breathtaking. I'll definitely go again on a sunny day just for the view! At the end is the TV station guesthouse, and then you turn left and head toward the caves. From here, you can see Moxiao Temple and Baiyun Temple, which are shrouded in mist and clouds, but we didn't go because of the heavy rain.
From here on, there are all kinds of wonderful caves, especially those with huge rocks on top. Every time I walk past them, I am afraid that they will fall down.
One stone is stacked on top of another. Looking up, you will be surprised to see all kinds of huge rocks floating in the air.
Sometimes wide, sometimes narrow, sometimes winding, sometimes crouching. If you don't want to bang your head against the rocks, do some squats! Not only that, there's also dripping water in the cave. The best part is that the stream flows down the stone steps with you. How can you be so close to it?
Finally, after many twists and turns, we got out of the cave and found ourselves at the Taimu Niangniang Pagoda. Next to it was a piece of tile.
At the end of the road is the Hanging Copper Temple. The Hanging Copper Temple is located between the cliffs of Taimu Mountain. It is built of pure copper and is particularly prominent among the mountains.
As we left Yipianwa, it was already dark, and night was about to fall. We didn't let the darkness stop us, choosing to walk along the outermost sea-viewing plank road! Of course, before that, we went to see Tianzhu Peak first!
The solitary peak is full of momentum.
Before night falls, stand on the huge rock at Wanfeng Peak and have another panoramic view!
Director Wang said that not many people could see Taimu Mountain at night like we did. Indeed, everyone else had already left the mountain early, and we were the only ones who had the leisure to wait for the night to fall. But Taimu Mountain at night was also quite captivating.
The lights came on, and it was night! The rain was still pouring, and without a tripod, I could only hastily capture the night view of the sea, sky, and mountains, so it's a bit grainy. But it's still a fairyland-like scene, and we're lucky to be there!
Mount Taimu at night is tucked away in our hearts. Just like during the day, the scenery and sea of clouds bring peace and tranquility to our hearts. If I had the chance to visit again, I would choose to gaze at this beauty from atop a boulder. Perhaps this is the essence of Mount Taimu's charm.
Dayushan Island is a place I only heard about in recent years. Last summer, I visited this beautiful island, but for most people outside Fuding, it is still unknown.
Dayushan Island was rated as one of the ten most beautiful islands by China National Geographic, which is why some experienced tourists come to explore the island.
The island boasts not only island scenery and bays, but also vast meadows and lakes, rarely seen on islands. Of course, the scenery doesn't stop there; there are also numerous villages and peninsulas jutting out into the sea, waiting to be explored. Once you've visited, you'll find yourself captivated by the island's beauty, yearning to return again and again.
Heading towards Dayushan Island! Actually, Dayushan Island is very close from Yujing Pier. When we set out from Sansha, we could barely see it. We had to go around several small islands to get there! When we arrived at Dayushan Island, the wind was so strong that we had to shiver to stay warm. The clouds were surging and the waves were pounding against the pier. Fortunately, it wasn't raining.
Surrounding Tianhu Lake are many reeds, which, in late autumn, are covered with a golden coat, swaying in the wind. The grasslands in late autumn have gradually turned from green to yellow, with rich colors. If there is sunshine, it will be another beautiful sight.
Datian Lake in the distance. From the top, looking east, Taiwan should be there, though it's not visible. The peninsula looming on the left is Yangguwei, though it seems there's no lighthouse there either. Below is a winding road leading to the beautiful fishing village of Zao'ao.
Looking west, the islands of all sizes and the most beautiful coastline of Fujian in the distance are still deeply rooted in my heart.
If you don't have much time, go to Xiaotian Lake. Xiaotian Lake is quiet and peaceful. There are not many tourists in late autumn, so you can take your time to walk around it.
After enjoying the seafood at the farm, we were about to return. At the suggestion of our guide Wang, we went up to the deck of the ship to enjoy the last of the sea breeze. Unexpectedly, we saw the spectacular sight of the sun breaking through the clouds on the deck.
The halo of light reflected on the thick clouds showed signs of hatching. The clouds gradually dispersed, waiting for the hatching moment.
Sunlight shines through the clouds, illuminating the sea, creating a shimmering surface. Sea anglers are also out, and Director Wang explains that there are so many reefs here that it's risky for any fishing boat to go out. Sea fishing is a journey of courage!
Close-up of Lai Zhang fishing village, colorful houses and peaceful bay.
Leaving the last mudflat on the beach, there are boats, waterways, and egrets. If there is sunshine here, there will be the most beautiful scenery of the mudflat!
Dayushan Island always has a charm that makes people reluctant to leave. I know that in the near future, I will come here again to collect every beautiful moment of it.
Maybe it was because they were reluctant to let us go, maybe it was because they wanted to keep us, or maybe it was because they hoped that we would come back next time. When we returned to Fuding, the sky would be so blue that it would be intoxicating.
Departure is always inevitable. The moment the car turned into Fuding Station, we were shocked again. The sky was full of golden clouds, and the setting sun shyly hid behind Fuding Station, but it could not hide the charming color.
The luckiest thing is to be able to wait for the sunset and the clouds at the platform. This is the most beautiful farewell gift that Fuding has left us.
DAY1: 11:00 Arrive at Taimu Mountain Railway Station, go to Taimu Mountain, climb the mountain and view the sea, stay at Yuhu Hotel.
DAY2: Depart for Yujing Wharf early in the morning, take a boat to Dayushan Island, see the beautiful scenery of Tianhu grassland, return in the afternoon, enjoy delicious food in Fuding, and leave by train at 17:00.
Tips:
How to get to Taimu Mountain
1. Arrival by Plane: The two closest airports to Mount Taimu are Wenzhou Yongqiang Airport and Fuzhou Changle Airport. Upon arrival, you can take the airport shuttle bus to the high-speed train station and transfer to the high-speed train to Mount Taimu.
2. Arriving by High-Speed Train: Taimu Mountain has its own high-speed train station, Taimu Mountain Station. Those departing from Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, and other cities can take a bus to Taimu Mountain Station. From the entrance, transfer to a local bus for the mountain, which costs around 10 yuan and takes 30 minutes. If arriving at Fuding Station, you'll need to take a bus from the high-speed train station to Fuding Station and then transfer to a bus bound for Taimu Mountain.
3. Arriving by car: Exit Taimushan Expressway from Shenhai Expressway, follow the signs, turn right at both roundabouts, enter Qintai Tourist Highway, and drive another 15 kilometers to reach Taimushan Scenic Area.
Tips:
How to get to Dayushan Island
There are two piers that can reach Dayushan Island, namely Daguzhen Pier (Sansha) and Yujing Pier.
1. Aircraft arrival:
If you arrive at Wenzhou Yongqiang Airport, you can take the airport bus to the high-speed train station and transfer to the high-speed train to Taimushan Station. Then take the local bus through Taimushan Town Bus Station to Yujing Wharf and take a boat to the island.
If you arrive at Fuzhou Changle Airport, you can take the airport bus to the high-speed train station and transfer to the high-speed train to Xiapu Station. Then take the local bus to Xiapu North Bus Station and transfer to Daguzhen Wharf, and then take a boat to the island.
2. High-speed train arrival:
Arrive at Taimushan Station, take the local bus through Taimushan Town Bus Station to Yujing Wharf, and take a boat to the island.
Arrive at Xiapu Station, take the local bus to Xiapu North Bus Station and transfer to Daguzhen Pier, then take a boat to the island.
3. Arriving by boat:
Departures from Yujing Pier: 9:00, 14:00 (Return departures: 7:00, 13:00)
Departures from Daguzhen (Sansha) Terminal: 9:00, 12:00 (Return departures: 7:00, 13:00)
Additional flights may be available on weekends and holidays
For consultation, please call: 0593-7202203
4. Self-driving: From Shanghai, Hangzhou, or Wenzhou, you can take the Baiyang Expressway at the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (Funing Section) and go to Yujing Wharf. From Xiamen or Fuzhou, you can take the Sansha Expressway at the Shenyang-Haikou Expressway (Funing Section) and go to Daguzhen Wharf.
Tips:
Ticket + scenic area eco-friendly car: 130 yuan (the scenic area ticket office is a long way from the foot of the mountain and requires a short shuttle bus)
Online ordering: 120 yuan
Dayushan Island
Ticket + transportation to the scenic area: 80 yuan
Online ordering: 70 yuan
Round trip boat ticket to Dayushan Island: 100 yuan
The first night's accommodation was arranged on Taimu Mountain. There are several hotels to choose from in the Taimu Mountain Couple Peak Square. They are quite standard and the overall facilities are relatively suitable for the mountain.
Tips:
It is recommended to stay one night in Taimu Mountain for two reasons:
First, Mount Taimu is worth climbing and exploring, so it is not recommended to follow the main group in a hurry.
Secondly, you can watch the sunrise over the sea, sky and mountains from the mountain, which will be a magnificent sight.
If you want to watch the sunrise, you can also stay at the guesthouse on the top of the mountain, where the view is great; of course, there is also a place to watch the sunrise at the Couple Peak Square, so there are more options to stay near the square. This time, we arranged to stay at the Yuhu Hotel at the entrance to the mountain. The hotel has a very grand exterior, with the pond and buildings complementing each other. It is a relatively grand hotel here. You can also see the sunrise from the hotel window, and the location is very good. Price: 200-300 yuan per room
The room is quite big and you can watch the sunrise from the balcony. Although the accommodation on the mountain is a bit old, the air conditioning and hot water are still OK.
Fuding is famous for its snacks, a city where you can't eat enough. Of course, there's more to it than just snacks. The food in the restaurants is also delicious.
The taste was suitable and the ingredients were fresh. As our first meal after arriving at Taimu Mountain, we quickly finished a table of delicious food despite being very hungry. We all enjoyed the food very much, with a variety of dishes from different regions. The taste was indeed suitable for everyone, and the fish was very firm and chewy.
In order to let us better experience the delicious food of Fu'an, the reception staff at Taimu Mountain specially arranged a table of local specialties, which gave us a deep enjoyment after being exhausted after climbing the mountain in wind and rain!
Gua Shuang Yam is one of Fuding's famous desserts. This taro is made from the local betel taro! Coated with roasted white sugar, it's a delicious dessert with just the right amount of sweetness. A gentle chew reveals a fragrant aroma, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This is a truly delicious dessert. This season is also the peak season for betel taro harvest.
The special egg dumplings are thicker but taste good.
The yellow croaker in scallion oil is actually different from the yellow croaker I have in mind, but the meat is firmer and very delicious.
Fish ball and pork soup, a salty and sour soup, cooked in a local way. The fish balls are quite tasty and springy.
The old duck stewed with taro soup, the freshness of the old duck is completely burned into the taro, the soup is thick, and the taro is also very fresh and sweet.
Stir-fried sea ginseng, the ginseng is wrapped in rich soup, the taste is perfect!
Fried prawns, a specialty of Fuding, very fresh!
When visiting an island, how can you miss out on seafood? Besides the limited conditions of the fishing village, seafood really needs to be fresh!
For people in the free shipping areas who are used to eating hairy crabs, the meat of this crab is a bit loose and hollow, but the taste is indeed first-class and delicious, and it is also relatively easy to peel.
The cold jellyfish salad has a slightly different seasoning from other places and tastes very refreshing.
Boiled shrimp, relatively fresh.
Steamed fish, before I had the chance to ask the name, everyone had almost finished it. Fresh sea fish is indeed suitable for steaming and is especially delicious.
Steamed yellow croaker, in one word, salty, it is really meant to be eaten with rice!
The mussel soup is so delicious that it can't be described as fresh. It's also fresh. This kind of shellfish will have a fishy smell if it's not fresh, but there is no such thing here!
A carefully managed gourmet restaurant in Fuding - Bitao Miss
We met up with a friend in Fuding, who took us to a small shop. When we first entered, the artful decor almost made us mistake it for a dessert shop. But when we tried the chef's special dishes, we were truly amazed. Every dish was carefully crafted. I never thought there was such an unforgettable shop in Fuding!
The ribs are especially delicious, the lean meat and fat are evenly distributed, and they are fried to perfection!
The only dish that looked and smelled delicious but we never tried was because no one wanted to peel the crab by hand...
The chef cut the snail meat very carefully. This is the first time I have eaten it in this way, but it is really delicious!
It is really the most delicious Fuding pork slices I have ever eaten. The meat is very elastic and one bite is not enough. You must drink it with the soup, it is really delicious!
This is my second time to Mount Taimu, so I am quite familiar with the hiking routes. Here are some tips for those who are going hiking!
Tips:
Recommended gameplay (half day - full day)
If you're heading into the cave early in the morning, it's recommended to start at the cave. Because of the large crowds, there will be queues to enter the cave. This allows you to avoid the crowds and explore the cave at your own pace. After a half-day of exploring the cave, you can climb to the top and descend from the Wulonggang Scenic Area, where you can enjoy the magnificent views of the mountains and sea from several boulders.
If you're heading into the mountains in the afternoon like we did, we recommend going in reverse: ascending from Wulonggang and then returning to the caves. Firstly, the Wulonggang area is relatively less crowded, so by the time you reach the caves, many tourists will have already finished their activities and left, thus avoiding congestion. The pink route in the image below is the route we took, for reference.
Likewise, this is my second time visiting Dayushan Island. Although I still haven't explored the entire island, I'll have the chance in the future. Let me give you some simple recommendations on how to play on Dayushan Island!
1. The Traditional Route (see the yellow line in the image below) is suitable for travelers who want to explore the island's highlights in a short time. After arriving on the island, transfer directly to the scenic area sightseeing bus and ascend the mountain. Along the way, you'll see panoramic views of Ambassador's Bay Beach, Bailian Waterfall, and Datian Lake (the drop-off point during the off-season is at the Visitor Center). Then, hike for over 10 minutes to the top of the grassland for a panoramic view of Xiaotian Lake.
2. Traditional Route + Detailed Instructions (also see the yellow outline in the image below). This route is suitable for those who have a day on the island. In addition to the traditional route, you can walk down the grassland to the lake, then continue up the hill to another peak for a beautiful western seascape with numerous islands! Some visitors even climb to the top of the mountain on the opposite side of Xiaotian Lake for a panoramic view of Dayushan Island, which is also a wonderful experience, but the journey is a bit difficult, so choose your own pace! After descending the mountain, you can also walk through the residential areas to reach Ambassador's Bay Beach. This is a calm bay. During the afternoon low tide, the sand is fine and there are reefs to challenge. However, please be careful as there is a wide river on the beach that you need to cross.
3. Camping route (still see the yellow line in the picture below) In summer, this is a good place to escape the heat. Many people choose to set up tents and camp at Datian Lake. This way, they will have more time to appreciate the beauty of Datian Lake. At night, they can see the starry sky. It is a route suitable for all ages.
4. The island-circling route (see the red line in the picture below) is suitable for tourists with plenty of time. You can stay in Zao'ao Village, which is known as the most beautiful fishing village. In addition to the beautiful scenery, you can also enjoy the fun of fishing!
5. The in-depth exploration route is suitable for tourists who like adventure. The route starts from Zao'ao Village and goes to Yangguwei. Yangguwei is an abandoned military base with air-raid shelters. You need to prepare a flashlight and you can see the lighthouse of Cape No. 8.
Since we arrived here in late autumn, here are some tips for those who come to visit during this season.
Tips:
1. The temperature difference between day and night in Taimu Mountain is quite large, so be sure to bring a coat to keep warm.
2. The wind on Dayushan Island is particularly strong (almost the same in every season), so be sure to wear a windproof jacket.
3. There are many caves in Taimu Mountain, most of which are not illuminated. It is recommended to bring a small flashlight to prevent bumps due to insufficient light.
4. There are running water in some caves in Taimu Mountain, so be sure to wear waterproof and non-slip shoes because the stones are particularly slippery.
5. It is difficult to take shelter from the rain in Taimu Mountain and Dayushan Island. It is recommended to bring a raincoat and an umbrella to prevent getting wet. If you get wet, the probability of catching a cold will be higher.
6. Dayushan Island is covered with meadows, but the dirt roads are slippery, so it is recommended to walk along the road.
If you like this place as much as I do, please save this guide and take it with you today!
