Complete 3-Day Fuding Travel Guide: Up Mountains and Into the Sea, Falling for Taimu Mountain and Yushan Island

My first cross-province trip after the pandemic: Fuding, Fujian.

The Fairy Capital on the Sea, Taimu Mountain,

One of China's Ten Most Beautiful Islands, Yushan Island,

The Home of Chinese White Tea, Fuding White Tea,

Golden Sands and Blue Sea for Summer Escape, Niulanggang Beach,

When it comes to Fuding, what else comes to mind?

As usual, here's a sneak peek—will this Fuding steal your heart?

Towering over the East China Sea, with mountains embracing the sea, proud and majestic, the people of Fujian call Wuyi and Taimu the 'Two Wonders,' while Zhejiang people regard Yandang and Taimu as siblings, forming the three great mountains of Min-Yue.

Rugged peaks, bizarre rocks, mysterious caves, and dreamy fog—Taimu Mountain's beauty is both grand and mystical.

Along the winding coastline, unique sea-eroded landscapes abound, their elegance unmatched along China's southeastern coast.

The sky is vast, the fields boundless, the wind blows low and reveals the cattle—mountains, lakes, grass, and sea converge into a serene, wondrous landscape painting.

Niulanggang: flat, clean sandy beach, surrounded by shaded hills and uniquely shaped reefs—especially at dusk, it's so pleasant you won't want to leave.

The joy of this seaside town is truly known only to locals. Stroll along Xixi Snack Street, feel the old town's charm, soak in its lively atmosphere, and revel in the pleasures of food and drink.

Hi, I'm Daxia, a photographer who loves food and fitness,

Or you can call me a muscle man delayed by food, or a foodie delayed by fitness.

Fuding is located in northeastern Fujian, bordered by the East China Sea to the southeast, Cangnan County of Zhejiang to the northeast, Taishun County of Zhejiang to the northwest, Zherong County to the west, and Xiapu County to the south. It's a beautiful coastal town with stunning sea views, traversed by the coastal high-speed railway and Shenhai Expressway—ideal for both self-driving and train travel (there are two high-speed rail stations in Fuding: Taimushan Station and Fuding Station).

Fuding is rich in tourism resources: Taimu Mountain, Jiuli Creek, Little Egret, Cuijiao Ancient Village, and more. Taimu Mountain has been recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark, National Natural Heritage, and 5A Scenic Area, and together with Yushan Island, it was named one of 'China's Youth's Favorite Tourism Destinations in the West Coast Economic Zone.'

Fuding is one of the birthplaces of Min-Yue and Ou-Yue cultures, with early exposure to Central Plains culture. Since the Qin and Han dynasties, it has been an important town between Fujian and Zhejiang. Deep-rooted Daoist, Buddhist, and Confucian cultures, the unique She ethnic culture, distinctive local cuisine, and the revolutionary spirit of eastern Fujian's old base areas together form Fuding's diverse cultural system. Major folk cultural activities include dragon lanterns, horse lanterns, iron branches, string lions, waist drums, puppet shows, majestic drums, Fuding binghua (pastry art), and Taimu tea ballads.

Fuding's cuisine is renowned far and wide—besides seafood, you must try Fuding wontons, fish slices, peace eggs, and beef balls.

Recommended 3-day Fuding itinerary:

Day 1: Explore Taimu Mountain, stay overnight at Dahuang Hotel.

Day 2: Morning trip to Yushan Island to experience fishing village life, stay at a homestay on Yushan Island.

Day 3: Continue exploring Yushan Island in the morning, leave the island at noon for Niulanggang Beach, dine at Tongshan Seafood Street in the evening, stay in Fuding.

Round trip from Fuding to Yushan Island guide:

1. To reach Yushan Island from Fuding, take a ferry. Big Yushan Island has two docks: Yujing Dock and Guzhen Dock. Yujing Dock has the best facilities and is the main route.

2. Yujing Dock: Off-season, 4 ferries daily—one to the island at 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM each, and one off the island at 7:30 AM and 1:30 PM each.

3. Schedules may change due to bad weather or pandemic policies; do your homework beforehand.

First stop on the Fujian Fuding journey: Taimu Mountain, known as the 'Fairy Capital on the Sea.' With the sea on three sides and a mountain behind, it's famous for its four wonders: rugged peaks, bizarre rocks, mysterious caves, and dreamy fog. The scenery is stunning, perfect for weekend or short holiday getaways.

Taimu Mountain rises 917 meters, with main attractions between 500 and 700 meters—you can take a vehicle to 500 meters, so hiking is not too difficult, but the views are spectacular. Climbing high to gaze out over the East China Sea offers a vast panorama; if you're lucky to catch a sea of clouds, it feels like walking in a fairyland.

At Couple Peak Square, enjoy a distant view of Taimu's peaks—this is also the starting point for hiking. There's a fork: go straight via Longtan Lake to Fuding Peak, or turn left via Yingxian Plank Road to Yingxian Terrace. Without prior planning, pick randomly—it's a loop that returns here eventually.

Two hundred meters from Couple Peak Square, you'll find Guoxing Temple. Stone wonders, Mani Palace, and Guoxing Temple are called the 'Three Wonders' of Taimu Mountain. Built in the Tang Dynasty, Guoxing Temple was destroyed by fire in the Song Dynasty; the current temple on the site was rebuilt in 1992, but many artifacts remain underground.

Longtan Lake, behind Guoxing Temple, was a filming location for the movie 'Mr. & Mrs. Single.' Rene Liu once praised it on Weibo: 'A pool of spring water—Taimu Mountain truly has a serene beauty.' The lake is beautiful, with the reflection of the Eighteen Arhats Rock in the water, shimmering waves, and visitors strolling on the dam's gallery, feeling like they've entered a fairyland.

As altitude increases, the scenery improves.

From Juxian Pavilion, you can feel the grandeur of Taimu Mountain, rising proudly over the sea on three sides and mountains behind.

Taimu Mountain is renowned worldwide for its rugged peaks, bizarre rocks, mysterious caves, and dreamy fog. Along the hike, you've already experienced the peaks and rocks; now, threading through Yixian Tian (One Line Sky), you experience the mysterious caves.

The narrow, dark cave passage allows only one person to squeeze through sideways against the wall, using the outer edge of your foot to feel ahead. Some sections require a push-up position to pass. It's a tough but fun experience, full of joy.

Some say passing through Yixian Tian is like going through a full set of 'Taimu Fitness Mountain'—every time you think you've reached a dead end, you find a way forward, mysterious and enticing.

Bizarre rocks are everywhere on Taimu Mountain—nature's craftsmanship is astonishing.

In the Yipianwa area, a suspended copper temple is built on a cliff in a deep valley—very impressive, don't miss it. The vegetarian noodles at the temple are famous; consider stopping for lunch and a rest.

Not far from the suspended copper temple is Danjing (a well). Drinking tea in the cave is also delightful. The wild ancient tea tree 'Lvxueya,' ancestor of Fuding White Tea, grows nearby, said to have been planted by the Goddess Taimu.

Taimu Mountain's most magnificent peak group is 'Nine Carp Leaping Sky'—clusters of peaks rising together, majestic and grand. At an altitude of about 700 meters, this wide peak forest looks like a school of carp leaping from the water, a spectacular sight. If only it were convenient, I'd love to watch a stunning sunrise over the sea here.

Taimu Mountain has the most caves among China's mountains—over 100 rocky caves crisscrossing. Yixian Tian, Qixing Cave, Tongtian Cave, Hulu Cave—sometimes you go sideways, sometimes crawl, many times you need to suck in your stomach and tighten your butt to pass. The cave scenery is mysterious and fun. So travel light—everything is available on the mountain. Wear clothes that can get dirty, because you'll easily scrape against the caves; even the thinnest person can't avoid it.

The sea-view plank road offers endless scenery, also great for watching sunrise over the sea.

Jiuli Lake is one of Taimu Mountain's key attractions, located in a deep canyon to the right of Xiangshan Temple. Small and exquisite, the lake reflects the strange peaks and rocks of 'Nine Carp Leaping Sky'—a picturesque scene. Unfortunately, we only learned after leaving Taimu that this is a perfect shooting spot—we didn't walk to the opposite shore to look back, missing a grand photo opportunity. Regrets will have to wait for next time.

On the way up and down, you'll pass the statue of Goddess Taimu, 20.88 meters tall, gazing kindly at the sea, guarding the area—very grand.

Yushan Island, located in the southeastern sea of Fuding, Ningde, Fujian, sits at the throat of the sea routes between Fujian and Zhejiang. Its highest point, Hongjishan, rises 541.4 meters, making it the largest island in eastern Fujian. The island has vast grasslands and beautiful scenery: Tianhu (Heavenly Lakes) with shimmering colors, sunset reflections on the boats, unique patterns on the beaches, alpine meadows, clear skies, and Bailian Waterfall, as well as cultural sites like Dashigong and Yangguwei military facilities.

The sunrise on Yushan Island is breathtakingly beautiful—don't miss it, or you'll feel you've visited a fake Yushan Island.

We stayed at Haishang Tianhu Villa on Yushan Island, located on the mountainside facing east. You could lie in bed and watch the sunrise from the courtyard of the homestay. The top floor has a large viewing deck, perfect for sunrise and stargazing at night.

A very popular homestay on Yushan Island is Xinghaiju—180-degree unobstructed sea view, pull back the curtain to see the sunrise, feeling like you're sleeping on the sea. Too popular—interested visitors must book well in advance.

On top of Yushan Island are three natural lakes, named 'Sun,' 'Moon,' and 'Star' based on their shapes. These are must-visit spots. The lake water is clear and blue, like a pure heavenly lake, hence the name 'Sea Sky Lake.' Surrounding the lakes are vast alpine meadows, soft like carpets, resembling the grasslands of the northern border.

Around the lakes, green tea fields spread across the mountains—a soothing sight for the soul.

Besides regular spots, Yushan Island has some niche photo spots popular online, like the lighthouse by the sea and sea caves. Photography enthusiasts should not miss them.

The former military site has been renovated into a popular photo spot.

From the high east-facing viewing platform on Yushan Island, you can overlook the fishing village, very primitive and peaceful like a secluded island.

Moon Bay has fine, soft sand and clear blue water—few tourists know it, ideal for summer water play, feeling like a private beach vacation.

Seafood feasts are a must on Yushan Island—those in the know understand.

I never expected such a beautiful beach in Ningde, Fujian.

Niulanggang, hidden along Fuding's winding coastline,

The sand is fine, the water clear, the sky blue,

Especially at dusk, the brilliant sunlight paints the sand and reefs gold,

Like an oil painting.

Many children run barefoot in the sand,

The sea breeze feels healing.

There's a camping base on the hillside, a large green lawn facing the sea—it feels like camping on a seaside cliff. The scenery is beautiful, with plenty of photo spots—like being on vacation abroad.

On one side of the mountain, there's a glass slide that flows down to the sea—thrilling and enjoyable.

1. There's more than one beach here. Most people play on the main beach, but there's also a small, beautiful beach with few visitors.

2. There's a lighthouse on the seaside reef, backed by the sea—great for photos, very artistic.

3. There's a coastal walking plank road and a viewing pavilion in a cave—great views.

4. It's best to come after 3 or 4 PM, when the sun isn't too harsh. Strolling barefoot on the beach at sunset is very pleasant.

5. Beach entrance fee: 40 RMB per person.

6. It's about 7 km from Taimu Mountain Visitor Center. Self-driving is recommended; the parking lot is large.

The last stop of any trip is about food, and Fuding is no exception. Tongshan Xixi Snack Street, along Xiyuan Road and Longxi South Road on both sides of Longshan Creek, connected by Yizhong Bridge and Xixi Bridge (Guanyin Bridge). Come at dusk—it's lively and full of local atmosphere. Many say the best local Fuding snacks come from here—it's Fuding people's favorite food street.

Besides offering a variety of foods, Xixi Snack Street has created a great night-out spot. Small shops, photo studios, game halls—signboards with the mark of the times squeeze into a small building, like a 'background picture' carrying old memories.

Never enough seafood feast—I almost want to sleep with the crabs.

Three days is short, yet long—short because I haven't had enough, long because I've gained countless beautiful photos and happy memories. Goodbye, Fuding. Perhaps soon, we'll meet again.