The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Qingyuan Mountain in Quanzhou | A Spiritual Paradise Where Half the City is Bustling with Fireworks, Half is Immortal 🌄

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- **Taoist Holy Land**: The world's largest statue of Laozi
- **World Heritage**: A treasure trove of stone carvings from the Song and Yuan dynasties
- **Morning Mist Spectacular**: "Qingyuan Dingzhi," one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Quanzhou
- **Secret Tea Garden**: Drink authentic Tieguanyin tea on the mountaintop

🕒 Best Time to Visit
🌄 **5:30-7:00 AM**: Watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds (free admission)
🍃 **Sunny after rain**: The waterfall is at its peak
🚫 Avoid midday (the sun will leave you dreading the heat)

🎫 Ticket Guide
- **Main Scenic Area 70 RMB** (including Laojun Rock)
- **Free Morning Exercise Period** (entry before 5:30 AM)
- **Electric Car 30 RMB** (from the foot of the mountain to Tianhu Lake)

🚶♂️ Must-See Itineraries
**Classic Half-Day Tour**:
1️⃣ Laojun Rock (giant Song Dynasty stone sculpture)
2️⃣ Qianshou Rock (Southern Fujian-style temple)
3️⃣ Master Hongyi's stupa (a must-see for those in the arts)
4️⃣ Nantai Rock (panoramic views of Quanzhou)

**Deep Challenge**:
➕ Bixiao Rock (a suspended Taoist temple)
➕ Qingyuan Cave (legend has it that it leads to the Dragon Palace in the East China Sea)
➕ Tianhu Tea Garden (taste freshly picked Tieguanyin tea)

📸 Top 5 Photo Spots
✅ Laojun Rock Side (avoid tourist groups)
✅ Jianlong Terrace (where the ancient city meets modern buildings)
✅ Tiger Milk Spring (a thousand-year-old spring)
✅ Tea Terraces (spring tea picking scene)
✅ Nantai Temple Red Walls (same color scheme as the Forbidden City)

💡 Local Tips
- Bring an empty water bottle (you can drink the mountain spring water directly)
- Wear non-slip shoes (the mossy stone steps are dangerous).
- Buy mosquito repellent bracelets at the foot of the mountain (5 MOP each).
- Arrive early on weekends (parking is limited).

🍵 Mountain Delights
1. **Tianhu Vegetarian Restaurant** (30 MOP per portion, super tender tofu)
2. **Freshly Roasted Tea Leaves** (You can join in the picking around Qingming Festival)
3. **Glass Stall** (A refreshing treat halfway up the mountain)

🚗 Transportation
📍 Bus No. 30 to Qingyuan Mountain Scenic Area Station
🚖 Taxi from the city for about 20 MOP
🚗 Park your car at the Ecological Parking Lot
🚫 Weekends have limited traffic (early arrival recommended)

**Fun Facts**:
• The Laojun statue's ears can accommodate an adult
• Master Hongyi spent 14 years in seclusion here
• Do not trespass in the military restricted area on the mountaintop

**Notes**:
• Some sections of the road lack guardrails (be careful of falls)
• Do not touch the cliff carvings (to protect cultural relics)
• Do not feed wild monkeys if they are around

After hiking, visit the China Fujian-Taiwan Relations Museum or West Lake Park for a cultural and natural experience! Remember, the morning mist is the most precious time, so set your alarm and don't lie in! ☁️📿