Wuyishan Scenic Areas
The Wuyishan State Key Area of Scenic Spots and Historical Sites is located in the south of Wuyishan City, with an area of 70 sq km. With typical red landforms, it is well-known for its "bluish-green waters and red mountains".
Hence the saying, "the best scenery in Southeast China". The area boasts its unique and weird landforms, delicate scenery, nine "green waters" and 36 towering peaks. Thanks to the superlative craftsmanship of Nature, Wuyi Mountains attract tourists with its elegant waters, typical red landforms, 36 charming peaks, 72 caves, 99 weird rocks and 108 other scenic spots. The mountains are full of life all the year round, with birds singing and flowers giving forth their fragrance by the streams, plus old pine trees, green bamboo and camellias in full bloom. The scenery of the mountains is changeable during the different times of the day, and presents different pictures when the weather changes. The Nine Bend Stream running in the mountains sets off the high peaks well. Other scenic spots include the King Peak, Jade Girl Peak, Tianyou Peak, Yinping Peak, Lesser Land of Peach Blossoms, Water Curtain Cave, Eagle Beak Rock, Liuxiang Ravine, One Line Sky and Huxiao Rock, as well as the boat-shaped coffins suspended from cliffs, the kiln site at Yulin Pavilion and cliff carvings, all of which make visitors gasp in admiration.
- The Wuyi Palace-King Peak Scenic Area
The Wuyi Palace-King Peak Scenic Area has an area of 3.5 sq km, including the following tourist attractions: Wuyi Palace, King Peak, Manting Peak, Sangu Rock, Three Purity Hall, Zhu Xi's Memorial Hall, Wanchun Garden and Song Dynasty Street.The place in front of the Wuyi Palace and near the outlet of the Nine Bend Stream is where emperors used to offer sacrifices to Lord Wuyi. The Wuyi Palace is one of the six famous Taoist temples in China.Some ancient scholars, such as Xin Qiji, Lu You and Zhu Xi, once served as supervisors here.
The King Peak towers like a huge pillar supporting Heaven. The peak is surrounded by sheer precipices and overhanging rocks. There is only one path, from the south, leading to the top of the peak.
- The Heaven Hearts-Tianyou Scenic Area
With an area of 4.5 sq km, this scenic spot includes Nine Dragon Cave, Red Robe Tea Tree and Tianxin Yongle Buddhist Temple. It is a place sacred to Buddhism.
The Red Robe Tea Tree, known as the "King of Tea Trees", stands at the foot of Nine Dragon Rock, There is water dripping down all the year round from a long and narrow crack in the rocks on both sides of the tree. The adequate sunshine and small temperature changes year round enable the tree to produce high quality tea with a unique flavor.
- The Water Curtain Cave-Bishi Pock Scenic Area
Covering 17 sq km, the area embraces the following scenic spots: Water Curtain Cave, Eagle Beak Rock, Pavilions Hanging in The Air, Liuxiang Ravine, Green Lion Rock, Lotus Flower Peak and Bishi Rock. This ravine is just like a landscape corridor where everything is pure and fresh.
The Water Curtain Cave is the largest rock cavern in Wuyi Mountains, with a slanting top, like upturned eaves. Two streams run down from the top of the cave. Often, the flowing stream water is cut into numerous drops of water by the wind, now moving to the east, now to the west, now getting together, now scattering, and thus forming a moving water curtain.
- Wuyishan State Key Nature Reserve
The Wuyishan State Key Nature Reserve is located in the northern part of Wuyi Mountains, with an area of 56,000 hectares. Huanggang Mountain, its main peak, is 2,158m above sea level, making it the highest peak in Southeast China. Some 98.3 percent of the reserve is covered by forests. It is the largest and best-preserved sub-tropical forest ecological system in the southeastern part of China. It is home to 2,466 higher plant species, 840 lower plant species; 475 vertebrate species and 4,557 insects of 31 orders. Its abundant animal and plant resources make the Wuyishan Nature Reserve a "Green Kingdom" and a "World Biological Window". It is also known as a "Paradise of Birds", a "Asian Center for the Study of Amphibious Animals and Reptiles". It is a rare natural legacy of mankind, and an ideal place for ecological tour. In 1979, it was listed as a state key nature reserve by the State Council. In 1987, it was listed as a world biosphere protection area by the United Nations, and in 1992, as a global diversification protection area, also by the United Nations.
- The Nine Bend Stream
The Nine Bend Stream valley covers 8.5 sq km, with a total length of 9.5km. It takes two hours to tour the valley. The stream water is so clear that you can see the stones at the bottom. The clear stream forms a delightful contrast with the red mountains, with each bend having its own unique landscape. On both sides of the Nine Bend Stream stand grotesque rocks.Along the winding stream, there are both shoals and deep pools. Visitors may enjoy themselves in the Wuyishan Scenic Area by taking a boat tour, appreciating the mountains in the distance and visiting caves. Floating on a bamboo raft along the stream, you may raise your head to appreciate the towering mountains, and lower it to listen to the flowing water, and touch it with your hands.