Yaowang Mountain in Quzhou｜Listen to the spring’s song beneath Mawei Waterfall, seek the immortal’s trail in the primeval forest

From the moment I stepped into Yaowang Mountain, the city’s noise was instantly left behind. This mountain and water secret realm, famous as the retreat of the "Medicine King" Sun Simiao, offered me a healing journey filled with lush greenery and the sound of flowing water, rich in negative oxygen ions. 🌿

>> Mawei Waterfall, experience the natural symphony of the cascading falls

Before reaching the waterfall, I first heard the thunderous roar of water. Turning the mountain path, Mawei Waterfall rushes down an 88-meter-high cliff, the water torn into silky strands by the rocks, truly resembling the flowing tail of a white horse! Standing on the viewing platform, the splashing droplets hit my face with the wind, and sunlight through the mist painted a brilliant rainbow. The coolness instantly washed away the fatigue of the climb. 🌈

>> Primeval forest, seek immortality and wisdom among ancient trees and moss

Following the trail deeper into the primeval forest, I felt as if I had entered a green fairyland. 🌳 Towering ancient trees shaded the sky, thick moss covered the stone steps, and medicinal plants with introduction plaques were everywhere. An old Chinese medicine doctor traveling with me pointed to an inconspicuous little herb and said, "This is Seven-leaf One-branch Flower, a good medicine for clearing heat and detoxifying." Suddenly, every step felt like treading on the pulse of a thousand-year-old medicinal culture.

>> Yaowang Residence Ruins, touch the benevolent heart of a millennia-old healer

At the Yaowang Residence ruins, the simple stone house and medicine pounding tools quietly tell the story of Sun Simiao gathering herbs and practicing medicine here. Sitting on the "Sacred Stone" where he once meditated, closing my eyes to rest, the sounds of wind, water, and birds in the forest intertwined into a melody, bringing deep peace to my heart.

Practical Tips 💡

· Must-visit spots:
· Mawei Waterfall (best viewing period: after rain)
· Yaowang Residence Ruins (experience medicinal culture)
· Shennong Valley (identify Chinese herbal medicine)
· Wild Monkey Valley (unexpected encounters with wild macaques)
· Suggested itinerary:
· One-day tour: Visit Yaowang Residence and Shennong Valley in the morning, watch Mawei Waterfall in the afternoon
· In-depth tour: Combine with nearby Tianji Longmen Scenic Area for a two-day trip
· Transportation guide:
· Take high-speed rail to Quzhou Station, then transfer to the "Quzhou–Yaowang Mountain" shuttle bus
· Self-driving: Navigate to "Yaowang Mountain Scenic Area," about 3 hours from Hangzhou
· Special experiences:
· Tea picking and making in spring
· Waterfall rappelling adventure in summer
· Kiwi fruit picking in autumn
· Herbal medicine identification all year round
· Thoughtful reminders:
· Wear non-slip hiking shoes, some trails are slippery
· Bring a light jacket, it’s 5-8°C cooler in the forest than in the city
· Hiring a local guide enhances understanding of medicinal culture
· Try medicinal herb chicken stew at the authentic farmhouse restaurants at the mountain foot

💙 Travel reflection: At Yaowang Mountain, I rediscovered my closest connection with nature. Standing barefoot in the stream, letting the cool spring water flow over my ankles; taking a deep breath filled with the fragrance of plants and earth, all stress vanished with the wind. This place is not only a superb summer resort but also a natural oxygen bar that heals both body and mind. If you want to escape the urban hustle, come to Yaowang Mountain and be a "herb gatherer" for a day!