Journey of Mountains and Sea: A Record of Fuding, All in Photos

Getting to know a place while playing, getting to know it while shooting—now my acquaintance with a city can be summed up in those two sentences. Sometimes I make plans, and sometimes I just go with the flow and discover. When I sum it up afterward and write a travelogue, I get to know the place even better. For me, Fuding is no exception. Now when I recall, what stands out most is the journey of mountains and sea: climbing Mount Taimu and visiting Yushan Island. As for seafood, I do enjoy eating it, but I can't name the dishes, so I'm not good at making recommendations.

Actually, I took a lot of photos and videos this time. I'll post a few pictures and see if they can tempt a few people to check it out.

Recommended 3-day itinerary for Fuding:

D1: Arrive in Fuding the evening before. There are many high-speed trains from Hangzhou to Fuding, so it's very convenient. The next day, visit Mount Taimu Scenic Area.

D2: In the morning, head to Yushan Island and stay at a guesthouse on the island. The number of ferry trips to and from the island is limited, so pay attention to the schedule.

D3: Continue exploring Yushan Island in the morning, leave the island at noon to go to Niulanggang Beach, then in the evening visit Fuding Food Street and stay in Fuding. The next day, return to Hangzhou.

Writing a travelogue is a great way to record memories. Browsing through photos and writing text can bring the memories back to the scene. For instance, my trip to Mount Taimu in Fuding last month—the words and pictures here gradually recreate those days.

About Mount Taimu: everything was brand new, so new that I had to start by learning how to pronounce its name. I believe many people would misread the character "姥" as "lao" instead of "mu." That would be wrong. Just like in Li Bai's poem "Dreaming of Mount Tianmu: A Farewell to a Friend," when this character appears as part of a place name, it's pronounced "mu."

Only after learning its pronunciation can I begin to remember everything about it. Mount Taimu is located in Fuding, Ningde, Fujian Province. It stands on the coast of the East China Sea, facing the sea on three sides. From the mountain, you can clearly see the estuary. It is known as the "Fairy Capital on the Sea" and naturally has its own unique features. There are many strange rocks on the mountain, like paintings that don't require too much imagination. Next to each painting, there is a vivid simulated drawing to help with visualization.

Besides the strange rocks, the mountain also has deep caves and valleys. Enter through the Yixiantian (A Line of Sky) and exit through the Qixing Cave (Seven Stars Cave). There are also Dishui Cave (Water Dripping Cave), Hongxue Cave (Red Snow Cave), etc. Each cave has its own dimensions, some wide, some narrow, some high, some low, so that anyone trying to pass through has to change their posture frequently. If the light is sufficient, the light shining into the caves creates a particularly atmospheric effect, outlining different scenes. All you need to do is record, record, and record.

Among the strange rocks, there is also the "Heart of Mount Taimu" near the entrance. The roots of plants on the rock look like blood vessels wrapping around a heart.

As for climbing mountains—a traditional tourist activity—it's not unfamiliar, but nowadays people are less willing to do it because it's tiring, and we've grown lazy, especially when carrying heavy camera equipment over the hills and through the caves of Mount Taimu. With a backpack, it's really tough.

Of course, "a mountain is famous not for its height but for its immortals." For Mount Taimu, it also has its own fame. For example, tea, and for example, the goddess Taimu. After all that trekking, looking back now, it feels pretty good. For instance, the Cloud Sea Plank Road—even though the weather was bad that day, we could still vaguely see the estuary in the distance. The view was very open, and the entire plank road was a great viewing platform where we could stop and enjoy at any time. If we had also encountered sea clouds, sunrise, sunset, and the estuary, it would have been perfect.

The paths up the mountain also have a great feel. For example, the section below the Couple's Rock—extending upward from below, some parts are in the shade of trees, some in the sunlight, winding and straight. Winding because of the zigzag path, straight because of the upward climb. Especially from a drone's perspective, it looks impressive.

I had seen photos of the Bronze Temple before, and this time I saw it in person. From a certain angle, it really looks magnificent—the golden temple stands out prominently among the huge rocks. But when you're in the mountain, it's hard to find that unique angle; you have to rely on a drone.

"In the mountains, there are four seasons." I think you can describe it that way: during a day of climbing, we experienced different kinds of weather. In the morning, blue skies and white clouds made the mountain look beautiful. At noon, it was overcast and hot, and our clothes got wet and dried again. In the afternoon, dark clouds rolled in and suddenly it rained heavily. In the evening, there was a bit of sunset glow, and the air became cool.

Fuding is famous for its tea. On Mount Taimu, you can see the mother plant of Green Snow Bud (Lüxueya). There are many stories about Green Snow Bud. At the ticket office of Mount Taimu Scenic Area, there is a Green Snow Bud White Tea Base. We stayed there overnight, so we could experience some of the white tea culture.

Transportation: You can take a bus or drive to the scenic area entrance to buy tickets. Ticket price: 140 yuan (including scenic area transport). Mount Taimu Scenic Area is quite large, consisting of seven zones. If you want to explore it thoroughly, it takes at least three to four days. You can choose based on your interests. Look at the scenic area map. I recommend visiting the Yi Pian Wa (One Tile) zone, which is where we mainly went. You can check out the Suspended Bronze Temple, Tongtian Cave (Cave to Heaven), Yixiantian (A Line of Sky), and Jiuli Chao Tian (Nine Carp Facing Heaven), etc.

Mount Taimu is a great place for photography, suitable for drone shots of grand scenes. When there is light in the caves, it's also perfect for exploration-themed shots. A wide-angle lens is recommended. When climbing in summer, take sun protection and insect repellent measures, bring enough water, and protect your knees.

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"Heavenly Lake on the Sea"—Dayushan Island (Da Yushan Island) was rated by Chinese National Geography magazine as the 8th most beautiful island among the most beautiful places in China. It is located in the southeastern sea area of Fuding City, Ningde City, Fujian Province, at the throat of the sea route between Fujian and Zhejiang. Its highest point, Hongjidong Mountain, is 541.4 meters above sea level, making it the largest island in eastern Fujian.

From the first day on the island, I was curious that the road didn't loop around the island but instead crossed the Big and Small Heavenly Lakes via a winding mountain road and then looped back to the dock via a peninsula. Without a drone to get a higher perspective, you might feel lost on an isolated island.

Although it's called Dayushan Island, it's not very big. For a four-wheeled vehicle, circling the island might take just about 30 minutes. Along the way, you pass by the coast, hills, lakes, and fishing villages—each environment has its own charm. This time, unfortunately, I didn't have the chance to walk on the reefs up close.

After a 30-minute boat ride from the dock, we finally arrived at Dayushan Island. There are two boats entering the island each day: one in the morning and one at noon. So you need at least half a day to play on the island. We took our luggage on the boat; it turned out the deck was the cargo area, crowded with passengers' suitcases and also supplies needed on the island. I even saw a large refrigerator. Indeed, life on a sea island is more troublesome for transportation than on the mainland, which is one reason prices on the island are relatively high.

During the boat ride, at first we saw only one seagull following, then a flock of them. These natural spirits ride the wind and waves, having their own goals, begging tourists for a little biscuit or something. But we hardly had any extra snacks (it was my first time on the island, so I was inexperienced). Seeing no one feeding them, they started fishing on their own. You could see them dive into the water, flap their wings desperately a few times, then emerge with a small fish in their mouths. It felt very real—every creature has its own expertise; their fishing skills are really impressive.

It also made me feel that being human, I seem to have no special skills. Always wanting to lie flat and slack off, compared to these little creatures, I instantly feel inferior. Half the fun of entering the island comes from the boat ride, and the other half is the novelty of getting off. The island's dock is relatively simple. There's a shed where the boat docks for people to rest. A bit farther is the waiting room, with big characters reading "Dayushan Island."

That's about it for entering the island. My memory of leaving the island is blurry because I fell asleep on the boat.

Dayushan Island isn't large, but along the way there are several scenic spots connected. There are two freshwater lakes on the island—the Big and Small Heavenly Lakes. They are separated by a small hill and exist independently in the mountaintop area of the island. The Small Heavenly Lake is long and narrow, while the Big Heavenly Lake is round. Cars can drive to the edge of the Big Heavenly Lake. To reach the Small Heavenly Lake, you need to walk a bit. Without some effort, you can't see it—I guess that means the Small Heavenly Lake is more attractive.

Around the Big and Small Heavenly Lakes, the grass is lush and green, especially from a drone's perspective. The grass, lit by sunlight and swaying in the wind, spreads like a green wave.

The climate on the island is special, and the clouds above the Big and Small Heavenly Lakes are unpredictable. During the two days we stayed there, we often saw a solitary cloud gather and disperse, floating above the Heavenly Lakes.

In my opinion, the highlights of the Big and Small Heavenly Lakes are the green grass and the stone steps extending along the ridges. Perhaps part of the island's soul is played by the paths. The beauty of the Big and Small Heavenly Lakes also depends on the weather: the softness of overcast days, the golden hues at sunrise and sunset, and the mirror-like lake surface on clear days reflecting everything around—clouds, grass, tea fields, and tourists.

Writing this, I feel I've rambled without truly capturing the beauty of the Big and Small Heavenly Lakes. It might be better to just look at the pictures and experience the geographical location and scenic charm.

Watching the sunrise and sunset on a sea island is arguably the best (yyds), but you need good weather. This time, our sunset experience failed; the sunrise was okay but not perfect. With regrets, there will be opportunities to come again. We wanted to watch the sunset at Small Heavenly Lake, but it was cloudy and we didn't get our wish. The sunrise at Small Heavenly Lake would also be nice, but the next morning we didn't get up in time, so we watched the sunrise from the rooftop of our accommodation—from twilight to the sun jumping above the horizon. The sunlight on the island is indeed very direct and much purer than in the city.

Seafood lovers are in luck. Surrounded by the sea, the island naturally has plenty of seafood. Though I can't name them, they taste really good. On the island, you can discover many delicious foods, especially for someone like me who grew up in the northern mountains and is a landlubber. Everything here is new. I think if I eat more, I'll naturally remember their names. I'm not a food blogger, so I can't say much, but since I'm here, I'll just eat.

"Things don't always go as you wish, but you can be true to your heart." Here I record this trip to Dayushan Island—it was rushed, rewarding, and also full of regrets. Regrets like not seeing a stunning sunset, not playing on the reefs and taking photos, not riding a scooter around the island, etc. These will become the reasons to visit Dayushan Island again.

Besides the island memories recorded above, this trip also had other lingering thoughts. For example, the Golden Peninsula on the island, where lush grass is taller than a person—it's a great place for photos, and then you can apply a "The Continent" (后会无期) tone. There are also lighthouses, anti-aircraft shelters, Moon Bay, glass observation decks, etc. For such an island, even a quick glance would take four or five days to cover. If you explore in detail, it would take even longer.

Transportation:

- Drive to Yujing Dock and take a passenger boat for about 30 minutes to reach Yushan Island.

- Take a train to Fuding Station or Mount Taimu Station. There are direct trains from Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai, about 4 hours away. Transportation is very convenient.

- How to get to the dock from Fuding city?

Method 1: At Fuding South Bus Station, take a rural bus directly to Yujing Dock. There are frequent departures from 7:00 AM, about 1 hour by bus.

Method 2: Another way is to take a taxi directly to Yujing Dock, about 130 yuan, 40 minutes. Since the time difference is not big, it's recommended to take the bus.

Method 3: If you get off at Mount Taimu Station, you can take a bus or a taxi. Taxi is about 60 yuan, 25 minutes.

Tips: Passenger boats from Yujing Dock to Yushan Island Dock: normally 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Boats from Yushan Island Dock to Yujing Dock: normally 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 1:30 PM. One-way ticket: 50 yuan per person, buy on-site.

Accommodation on the island:

1. Seaside Heavenly Lake Villa—good for watching sunrise.

2. Xinghaiju (Star Sea Residence), a very popular guesthouse with 180-degree unobstructed sea view.

3. Other hotels are available. Choose according to your needs. Accommodation is hard to book during peak season.

In the first two days, we experienced both mountains and sea—body and soul were touched on the journey. On the last day, we went to Niulanggang Coastal Scenic Area for some simple relaxation—a kind of breathing exercise at the end of the trip. Niulanggang Scenic Area is located in Taimu Town, Fuding, Ningde City, Fujian Province. There are many experience activities here, such as the popular camping experience, glass water slide, and of course the coastal scenery with beaches, reefs, and a lighthouse. Especially in the evening, when the sun sets, the light shines on the reefs and lighthouse, the beach is crowded with people, and the sea breeze blows—it's very comfortable.

Besides the activities, this place is also great for taking photos. Tips: Ticket 50 yuan, opening hours 8:00–19:00.

If you are a foodie, you must not miss the food streets in Fuding, such as Tongshan Food Street, Shihu Seafood Food Street, etc. Stalls line the streets from end to end, and the streets are bustling with people.

Here are some food pictures of Fuding—match them with their names.

For Fuding, the memories are not over; the next visit will probably begin soon. I am Xiaoyuan, who loves to take photos and record. I look forward to meeting again when fate brings us together.