Riding the Quzhou-Ningde Train to Explore Ningde: A Meeting of Mountains and Sea

On September 27 this year, the Quzhou–Ningde railway officially opened, ending the history of no railway access for Songxi, Zhenghe, Pingnan, Zhouning and other counties in northeastern Fujian. This railway crosses mountains and reaches the sea, opening a gateway for the mountainous areas of southern Zhejiang and northern Fujian, witnessing the rebirth of the Fujian passage, and creating a new miracle in railway construction history.

In the past few days, at the warm invitation of the Ningde Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, I came to Ningde—a place that haunts my dreams—and encountered this beautiful city where mountains and sea harmonize, history is profound, and culture flourishes. The first stop of this trip began on the Quzhou-Ningde train. Led by a guide, I boarded the train from the renowned cultural city of Quzhou to Ningde with excitement.

Along the way, the railway curved twice, winding like the letter "S". Outside the window, blue skies and white clouds accompanied the scenic beauty. Scattered along the route are mountain and sea tourism resources such as Carp Stream and Jiulongji Waterfall Group, as well as highly recognized cultural tourism IPs like Baishuiyang·Yuanyang Stream and Sandu’ao. Ningde, a land of mountains and sea, truly lives up to its reputation. Sitting inside the train is a visual feast, bringing great enjoyment and satisfaction; at this moment, the soul also gains a moment of relaxation and freedom.

Inside the carriage, various exciting activities were held, making it hard to take everything in. The national intangible cultural heritage project—the She ethnic group’s “double-voice” (Shuangyin) performance from Jiaocheng—saw beautiful She girls sing without accompaniment in solos, duets, and choruses to welcome us. Their melodious and graceful singing was utterly enchanting.

The Zhouning rod puppet show is an ancient traditional drama, known in olden times as "rod puppets." The performer held two control rods in one hand, making the exquisite puppets dance and move freely as if they were alive, vividly portraying the joys and sorrows of the story.

There were also displays of She ethnic costumes, and the world-class intangible cultural heritage project of traditional timber arch bridge construction techniques from Pingnan, all presented one after another. A docent explained each one patiently, answering everyone’s questions. After appreciating these performances rich in cultural heritage and unique charm, I couldn’t help but want to learn more about the historical and folk culture behind them.

Besides that, the train also featured tastings of Ningde’s specialty foods, prize quiz interactions, and giveaways of exquisite small gifts. For a seasoned foodie like me, this was pure bliss. The hours of the journey passed without my noticing, and I never felt bored or dull; instead, I was deeply impressed by the trip. I have to say, the local tourism bureau’s creative approach was brilliant!

That evening we arrived in Zhouning County and were warmly received by the local tourism bureau. At the dinner banquet, I tasted local specialty dishes, watched wonderful cultural performances, and felt the warmth and hospitality of the local people.

After dinner, we visited the scenic spot I was most looking forward to: Carp Stream. It is a park themed around carps, with antique Fujian-style architecture. A gentle stream flows through the village, and thousands of colorful carps of various sizes frolic leisurely in the water. When people feed them, the carps gather to compete for the food, letting you touch them without fear—they are tame and endearing. It turns out that to protect the carps in Carp Stream, the local ancestors established village rules banning fishing and netting, with severe punishment for violators. Thus, the residents here do not eat carp; if a carp dies, they even hold prayers and burials. On the hillside downstream, two ancient cryptomeria trees tower on both sides, and beneath them the villagers have erected "fish tombs." When a carp naturally passes away, a respected elder in the village will solemnly bury the fish in a cave under the tree, and finally burn incense and paper money to commemorate it. This "ritual" has been passed down through generations.

At night, Carp Stream sheds the hustle and bustle of the day. Against the backdrop of a light show, it appears exceptionally beautiful, serene, and peaceful. On the slightly shimmering water, the mirror of harmony between humans and nature glows, mesmerizing all who see it.