Live Your Best Lives
In February, the willows are drunk with spring mist, the river is green as blue, and the spring flowers are blooming with the whispering swallows. I go to the spring mountains to ask you to come and see me. I have accumulated thousands of thoughts for a year...
The Spring Festival Gala song "Climbing Spring Mountain" echoes like a gentle spring breeze, capturing the vibrant energy and vitality of spring's rebirth and lush greenery. March is the season for springtime; let's follow the lead of "Climbing Spring Mountain" and embark on a captivating hiking trip to Wenzhou's Yandang Mountain! Spring has returned to Yandang Mountain, and with the blossoms in full bloom, it's the perfect time for a hike.
Yandang Mountain Scenic Area was my first stop on my trip to Wenzhou. It's a truly remarkable sight in this treasured tourist destination of Zhejiang Province! Xu Xiake visited the area numerous times, and it's known as the "First Mountain in Southeast China" and a "Famous Mountain on the Sea." It's also been the setting for numerous TV series and movies, including "The Return of the Condor Heroes" and "Nirvana in Fire."
Our first stop on the Yandang Mountain excursion was Dalongqiu. The various scenic areas of Yandang Mountain are connected by a main road, so to reach each one, you'll need to return to the entrance the same way. Driving from one stop to another is quite convenient. Parking is generally free at the entrances, and buses are also available. The climb isn't difficult, and Dalongqiu can be explored in about an hour and a half. The highlights of Dalongqiu are mainly the Scissor Peak and the Dalongqiu Waterfall.
A peak rises, bifurcated at the top, resembling two slightly open crab stings, or perhaps a pair of large scissors. Entering Dalongqiu, the towering peaks, the inscriptions on the walls, and the silvery streams flowing into a clear, turquoise pool where koi swim, their bodies visible. Only then do you realize that the ancient saying, "all seem to swim in the air, with nowhere to rest," is truly true.
It is known as one of the four major waterfalls in China, along with the Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guizhou, the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River, and the Diaoshuilou Waterfall in Heilongjiang. Dalongqiu is known for its drop of more than 197 meters, making it the largest waterfall in China and earning the reputation of "the best waterfall in the world."
Walking in the Yandang Mountain and Dalongqiu in spring, you can truly feel the scenery with every step. Looking at the same mountain from different positions, the scenery changes a lot, and the scenery you get from different positions is also different. It really fits the line in the poem "When you look from the side, it looks like a mountain; when you look from the front, it looks like a peak; when you look from far and near, it looks different at high and low."
Beyond its stunning scenery, the unique topography, bedrock soil, hydrology, and climate have nurtured the millennia-old renowned tea, Yandang Maofeng. Walking along the stone paths at the foot of the Dalongqiu and Lingyan scenic areas, you'll find numerous Yandang Mountain tea plantations. If you have time, come to Yandang Mountain to enjoy the aroma, tea, and a spring outing under the spring sunshine!
If you ask me to rank the scenic spots in Yandang Mountain, Fangdong will definitely be at the front, so after visiting Dalongqiu, I drove directly to the entrance of Fangdong Scenic Area.
Located west of Lingyan Scenic Area, Fangdong Cave boasts three dripping springs, each containing drinkable water. At the cave entrance, a plank road stretching over 100 meters, carved along the natural rock, has earned the name Fangdong Plank Road, also known as the "Silver Cliff Sky Corridor." It resembles a belt hanging midway up the mountain.
Going along the plank road, you will come across the Knife Cave, Yuntian Bridge, Hanging Golden Bell, Plum Blossom Cave, Juxian Pavilion and other scenic spots in turn.
The Juxian Pavilion boasts a large, square space, seemingly carved from the rock. Standing inside the pavilion, gazing westward through a large stone gate reveals the gathering place of the immortals, a feast for the eyes—a true paradise on earth. This over 100-meter-long sky bridge, built between two cliffs, rises a full 200 meters above the ground. Walking on the suspension bridge, with its swaying iron chains, adds a touch of thrill and excitement. The timid might even scream.
Standing on the bridge and gazing out in all directions, one feels as if one is looking down upon all the other mountains. To the east, there are strange peaks and rocks, each with its own unique appearance, while to the south, there are endless mountains. Looking down, one can see farmland and houses stretching out in a continuous line, creating a broad and beautiful view.
Going further, you will reach the Woyun Plank Road, a newly developed medium- and high-altitude slow-walking trail in Yandang Mountain, with a total length of 1.3 kilometers. It changes the traditional "viewing the peaks from the valley bottom" tour mode of Yandang Mountain and connects the two major scenic spots of Fangdong and Lingyan.
The plank road winds its way along the mountainside, like a flowing ribbon wrapped around a verdant cliff, seamlessly blending into the surrounding natural landscape, seemingly an extension of the natural cliffs, quietly blending into the surrounding mountain environment. Below, the plank road leads directly to Wolong Valley, where Wolong Pond lies, its clear blue waters and wisps of white mist creating a fairyland-like experience.
"Yandang is the best in the world, and Lingyan is the most unique." Lingyan is known as the "Mingting Courtyard" of Yandang Mountain. You can walk directly from the square cave or walk up from the gate of Lingyan Scenic Area.
Lingyan is one of the three wonders of Yandang, which brings together some of the more famous natural landscapes such as Tianzhu Peak, Xiaolongqiu, Wolong Valley, as well as the Broken Heart Cliff, the filming location of "The Return of the Condor Heroes".
Lingyan Temple is one of the 18 ancient temples in Yandang. A couplet by Yu Changlin of the Qing Dynasty is quite interesting: The mountain Yandang, the water dragon cave, the stone Buddha, and the 120 peaks rise from the ground and tower into the clouds, making it the most famous mountain on the sea. On the left is the flag, on the right is the pillar of heaven, and behind it are the clouds that screen thousands of feet high. The Lingyan scenery is unparalleled and the work of nature is ingenious.
The highlight of Lingyan Scenic Area is the flying boat performance. This unique performance involves a rope stretched across the peaks of Tianzhu Peak and Zhanqi Peak, reaching a height of 200 meters and a width of over 200 meters. The performers perform somersaults and soaring maneuvers on the rope, a truly unique feat. Wandering through the forest, one is enveloped in a tranquil silence, a stillness that feels like entering a different world.
There are several magnolias in full bloom next to the main hall at the foot of the Lingyan Scenic Area. As soon as the magnolias bloom, spring arrives. If you have the chance, bring your friends to Yandang Mountain to experience the spring scenery!
If you were to single out a few unique nighttime activities at a domestic scenic spot, it would definitely be Yandang Mountain. It's truly unique. The renowned Yandang Mountain nightscape is a show without lights.
The true essence of Lingfeng's nightscape is that the same peak appears completely different when viewed from different vantage points. Each peak has left behind a beautiful legend, with names like "Lovesick Woman," "Couple Peak," "Mother-in-law Peak," "Father-in-law Peak," and "Jungfrau Peak" all woven together. The hazy beauty of Yandang's nightscape is beyond words.
Under the hazy moonlight and a gentle breeze, I put away my camera and immersed myself in the wonders of nature, completely captivated by the hazy nightscape of Yandang Mountain. If you want to witness this magical nightscape of Yandang Mountain, you might as well come and visit it yourself.
Lingfeng has a different kind of scenery during the day. Standing on the Dongyaotai and Xiyaotai in the Lingfeng Scenic Area, you feel like you are in a martial arts drama. This is the best viewing platform. Looking around at the peaks, you can see the overlapping peaks and the majestic peaks, and the scenery is in full view.
As one of the main filming locations of "Nirvana in Fire", anyone who has been to Lingfeng will be attracted by the magnificent landscape with a strong sense of martial arts.
Here, surrounded by mountains and rivers, accompanied by nature, the passage of time in Yandang unfolds. We love a place for its timeless charm and profound meaning. Yandang's scenery, renowned for its peaks, caves, rocks, springs, gates, and peaks, remains tranquil and distant despite the vicissitudes of time.
The two-day and one-night trip to Yandang Mountain has come to an end. As a first-time visitor to Yandang Mountain, I still feel a bit overwhelmed. There are many places I haven't visited, but this trip left me with a suspenseful experience, which will give me new aspirations for my next visit. I think Yandang Mountain will have different beauties in different weather and seasons. In short, I look forward to seeing it again next time.
Tips:
1. Opening hours of the scenic area: 6:30-17:00.
2. The ticket price for Fangdong Scenic Area is 40 yuan, and the ticket price for Lingyan Scenic Area is 50 yuan. A discounted ticket for Fangdong, Woyun Plank Road, and Lingyan Scenic Area is 80 yuan. A three-day scenic bus ticket is 40 yuan, a five-day ticket is 60 yuan, and children are half price. A one-way trip to Fangdong Cable Car is 40 yuan, and a round-trip trip is 60 yuan. A three-day combined ticket is 200 yuan.
There are two ways to reach Fangdong Scenic Area without a car: by cable car or by scenic shuttle bus. The difference between the two is that the cable car goes directly to the entrance of Fangdong Scenic Area, while the scenic shuttle bus takes you to Lingyan Scenic Area by taking a large scenic shuttle bus, then transfers to a small scenic shuttle bus to Fangdong Scenic Area. After getting off the bus, you walk up over 200 steps to reach the scenic area entrance. These 200 steps are not difficult to walk, and you can chat and laugh with friends and enjoy the scenery before you reach the ticket gate in no time.
4. There are free parking lots at the entrances of Fangdong and Lingyan Scenic Areas. If you drive yourself, you can drive directly to the scenic area parking lot. If the parking spaces are full, you need to park in other parking lots. If you drive to Fangdong or Lingyan Scenic Area to take the Woyun Plank Road, you can take the scenic shuttle bus to the original parking spot after the whole journey. The scenic shuttle bus costs 10 yuan per person.
5. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to walk through Fangdong, Woyun Plank Road and Lingyan Scenic Area. There are many rest stops along the way and the steps are flat. It is not too tiring to walk the whole way. It is suitable for most people. Remember to wear flat shoes.
6. Lingyan Flying Crossing has fixed performance times: Monday to Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Friday to Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friends who plan to watch the performance should remember to control their travel time.
7. There are many vending machines throughout the process, so it is very convenient to buy water. You only need to bring some snacks to replenish your energy.
