Graduation Trip | By the Mountains and Waters, Stunning Scenery! What a Celestial City Ningde Is!

In everyone's youth,

there has been a longing for travel—

a journey taken on a whim.

Ningde, a gathering of spiritual mountains and beautiful waters,

integrates "mountains, seas, rivers, and islands" into one,

making it a land of scenery at every turn,

a rare treasure trove for tourism.

Ningde, let's go!

Taimu Mountain, located within Fuding City at the border of Fujian and Zhejiang, emerged from the sea billions of years ago, making it a "youngster" among China's famous mountains and great rivers.

It stands by the East China Sea, facing the sea on three sides and backed by mountains on one, embodying the grandeur of both mountains and sea—one of the few coastal immortal mountains in China.

Located in the subtropical zone with a humid subtropical monsoon climate, Taimu Mountain has no scorching summer nor harsh winter, with dense vegetation that stays green year-round, making it an ideal summer retreat for many.

The ever-changing clouds and mist of Taimu Mountain are a major attraction, with over 120 foggy days per year.

The mountain ranges, wrapped in leisurely clouds and mist, appear and disappear, as if the immortals of the East China Sea are gathering here, casting a veil of mist to keep mortals from spying. Thus, Taimu Mountain has earned the reputation of "Fairy Capital on the Sea."

With dawn as the bell, starry sky as the roof; green hills as the bed, white clouds as the blanket; staying in the mountain forest, enjoying the coolness—this is surely the comfort people yearn for at this moment.

Deep in the mountains, where waters flow and clouds dwell—Baiyun Mountain (White Cloud Mountain) can exactly fulfill your longing.

Shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, Baiyun Mountain is a spectacular sight in Ningde. Its highest peak, Miaoxian Peak, rises 1,450.2 meters above sea level, hailed as "The First Mountain of Eastern Fujian!"

Climbing to the high summit, overlooking cities and seas, you feel as if you are embracing the entire world.

The sea of clouds, hazy and flowing, adds a dreamlike beauty. The ancient imaginary wonderlands and immortal mountains might have looked just like this.

Here, there is also a rare world-class geological relic—the Chanxi Pothole Group, magnificent and grand. The pothole wonders shaped over billions of years offer an extraordinary shock, leaving one in awe of nature's magic!

Sandu'ao (Three Capes Harbor), I believe everyone is familiar with it. It is the "Venice of the East" and the "gateway to the coast of eastern Fujian, throat of the five counties." Here lies a "sea island wonder" you must see in your lifetime.

The four main attractions of Doumu Island are facing strange rocks, viewing the vast sea, bathing in mountain colors, and exploring hidden caves, with notable sights like Conch Shell Rock, Big Dipper Mother, Doumu Maze, and Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon.

The most famous is a major marvel along China's coast—Conch Shell Rock, a boulder shaped like a conch, standing by the sea without ever falling.

Sandu'ao gathers countless strange rocks and unparalleled dreamlike visions, a boundless romance bestowed by nature upon humanity.

Xiapu lives up to its name—it means "the shore of rosy clouds." The mountains and streams of Zhouning and Pingnan counties,

rushing down all the way, enter the sea here. Countless tides rising and falling, day after day of dawn and dusk, have made Xiapu China's most beautiful tidal flats—the sea that everyone yearns for.

The beauty of Xiapu lies in the interplay of light and shadow, in the brilliance of sunset. Xiapu was also the earliest port in Fujian for trade with Taiwan, known as the "Hometown of Chinese Kelp" and "Hometown of Chinese Laver," and is reputed as "Coastal Cultural Region."

Standing on a bridge spanning the tidal flats and looking down, the distant sailboats, the exposed mudflats at low tide, and the visitors playing on the flats create a dreamlike picture.

Fishing raft wooden houses, light boats with seine nets, buoys and bamboo poles, surging tides... Because of the unique fishing lifestyle, Xiapu exhibits different charms and scenes in all four seasons, attracting countless photography enthusiasts.

Under the sun, the surface of the洋面 (ocean surface) sparkles with a white brilliance, hence the name Baishuiyang (White Water Ocean).

On the upper part of Baishuiyang stands a bridge called Shuanglong Bridge (Double Dragon Bridge). Standing on the covered bridge, you can view the wonder of Baishuiyang: "The window embraces a thousand autumns of white water, and a hundred moorings stretch for ten miles of water street."

From Shuanglong Bridge, looking into the distance at the opposite peak, the beautiful mountain in front, beside Baishuiyang, is Wulao Peak (Five Old Men Peak). The small platform in front is called Qipanshi (Chessboard Rock).

Legend has it that five immortals once sat on Qipanshi, deeply pondering a game of chess, forgetting the passage of time, and in their focused concentration, they transformed into Wulao Peak.

The lower part of Baishuiyang is as smooth as a mirror, giving a sense of tranquility. The protruding rock in the middle of the ocean resembles a black gauze cap from the Ming Dynasty, hence called "Shamao Rock" (S Gauze Cap Rock).

Jiulongji Waterfall Cluster is hailed as "The First Waterfall of East China." The total drop is over 300 meters, and over a course of 1,000 meters, it cascades through nine distinct levels across a gorge, forming spectacular flying waterfalls and deep pools, with water winding and splashing.

In the local dialect, "漈" (ji) means "waterfall." Jiulongji (Nine Dragon Waterfall) is named after its nine-tiered waterfall cluster.

The most famous is the first level—Longtan Waterfall, with a height of 46.7 meters and a width of 76 meters. Standing on the viewing platform, the waterfall plunges into view, and the mist over Longtan (Dragon Pool) is like fog and rain, especially spectacular.

Amid the picturesque landscapes, the majestic waterfall adds a force, turning this place into a dynamic ink painting.

Yushan Island, anciently called Fuyao Islands, meaning "blessed land, beautiful jade." Dayushan Island covers an area of 21.22 square kilometers, with its highest point, Hongjidong Mountain, at 541.3 meters above sea level, making it the largest island in eastern Fujian.

When experts from Chinese National Geography selected the "Ten Most Beautiful Islands in China," they commented on Yushan Island: "Though located on an island, it has the scenery of a northwestern alpine meadow; while on the island, it has heavenly lakes as clear as a mirror."

At an altitude of 200 meters, there are two lakes, large and small, more than 1,000 meters apart, surrounded by peaks. The lake water is crystal clear, refreshing the mind and heart.

Lush and boundless, waves of grass rolling together with the blue sea and sky form a beautiful panoramic view of mountains and sea. Here, you feel as if you are in the vast northwestern grasslands, where "the sky is blue, the fields are vast, and when the wind blows, the grass bends to reveal cattle and sheep."

Taishan Island, the farthest from the mainland within the province and closest to the open sea, is known as the "Sea Park." The island boasts beautiful scenery, with unique island wonders like "Umbrella Rock—A Unique Marvel of the Sea" and "Twelve Chinese Zodiac Animals," which are truly astonishing.

"A Thread of Sky" is a steady presence on Taishan Island. Standing on the "Sky Bridge," overlooking the "thousands of piles of snow" (waves), one cannot help but marvel—truly an indescribable wonder.

Coming to Taishan Island for sea fishing, picking snails and shells, and experiencing the beauty bestowed by nature is undoubtedly a romantic thing!

Here, you can take a walk, bathe in moonlight, drink tea, enjoy the breeze, watch the sea, and daydream. Once you experience this slow-paced life, you'll find it hard to adapt to the fast pace when returning to the city.

Fish ball noodles (yū wán fěn kòu) is one of Ningde's most distinctive breakfasts. Two freshly made fish balls and a bowl of transparent vermicelli are the perfect combination in the hearts of Ningde locals!

The smooth fish balls float in the vermicelli soup, the peppery aroma blending with the savory fish balls. Take a bite of the smooth, transparent vermicelli—a perfect day starts here!

When it comes to local snacks, Xiapu people will surely think of the sweet potato cups (dìguā bēi) at the alley entrance of Fuqian Road. Sweet potato cups are made mainly from sweet potatoes, shaped like cups, small and cute, hence also called "fānshǔ bēi" (sweet potato cups).

Steamed, the "cup" is golden all over, soft, waxy, and sweet. The filling inside, after steaming, becomes irresistibly fragrant.

Ningde is a long-standing gathering place for the She ethnic minority, and black rice (wū mǐ fàn) is a major ethnic specialty of the She people.

Black rice, infused with the fragrance of the black rice tree, has a soft, sticky texture and a rich flavor. Just dipping it in a little white sugar can make diners unable to stop. Black rice attracts many food lovers from afar.

Sweet fermented rice with egg (tián zāo pào dàn) is made from single-season glutinous rice wine lees, using local free-range eggs as the main ingredient and pure white sugar as a complement. It is also a special morning market scene in Ningde.

"Huffing and puffing," blowing out warm breaths from the mouth—this is surely the image of a Ningde person drinking sweet fermented rice with egg.

Ningde—beautiful in a low-key yet rich manner,

hidden by the private mountains and waters,

with the tranquility of stunning island views,

and traditional local delicacies in every street and alley.

It seems only in Ningde

can one escape the hustle and bustle of the city.