Little City Fuding | A Meeting on the Golden Wind and Jade Dew Outshines All Earthly Encounters

At some point, I began to grow weary of the fast-paced city life.

The daily grind of nine-to-five and endless overtime drained me.

So I started dreaming with Mr. Hippo about our retirement life:

finding a pleasant place to live,

neighbors with mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas, sleeping under sunset and stars,

where every casual glance captures a scene worth framing.

He always ruthlessly dashed my hopes: "Where could such a place exist?"

But I clung to a faint fantasy: "With China's vastness, there must be a place where dreams can bloom!"

Yet years passed as we talked...

Until I stumbled upon this small city—Fuding.

The shifting clouds of the sea fairy mountains, the fresh charm of hidden islands, the fragrance of the white tea hometown.

This, isn't it my ideal city?

Though he didn't come with me this time,

that didn't stop me from recording this wonderful place in a travelogue.

This Qixi Festival, the most romantic confession

might be: "Hey~ I'm here, turning our dream into reality!"

My primary requirement for an ideal livable place was stunning mountains, rivers, and natural scenery. In Fuding, Mount Taimu alone fully satisfied me.

Known as the "Fairy Capital on the Sea," Mount Taimu faces the sea on three sides, sitting on the coast of the East China Sea. It contains 36 peaks, 45 rocks, 24 caves, 10 cliffs, 9 springs, 3 streams, 2 ridges, and 1 valley, blending mountains, sea, rivers, and cultural landscapes into one. In a day, it takes us through the fusion of nature and humanity, with fantastical rock formations—truly a bargain!

Is Mount Taimu high? Is climbing tiring? Let me say: the main peak is 917 meters above sea level, and a car can take us to over 500 meters. On Mount Taimu, climbing isn't the goal; the joy lies in threading through strange peaks and unusual rocks, crawling through narrow caves where you can only pass sideways, marveling at the wonders of mountains and sea, and using your imagination to the fullest to appreciate the fantastic peaks and stones. Tired? Where would that come from? There's only endless delight in deciphering the mysteries!

Do you see? On the right side of the picture, there are two peaks like a pair of intimate lovers—that's Mount Taimu's iconic landscape: the Husband and Wife Peak. While exploring Mount Taimu, you can see this couple from different angles, each offering different forms and meanings—the magical charm of nature! And this couple peak also serves as Mount Taimu's "image ambassador," appearing on tickets and brochures in hand-drawn versions.

Exploring Mount Taimu really requires an open mind. If you think your imagination is lacking, don't worry; thoughtful staff have already set up explanations and hand-drawn outlines to help you visualize the shapes. All you need to do is enjoy! For example, this "Hippo Roaring at the Sky": the straight middle peak resembles a hermit's staff standing tall, while the large rock on the left looks like a hippo opening its mouth wide, roaring heavenward. Take a closer look—isn't it more and more similar?

Also, there are information boards that help us learn a bit about rock formations. This is a kind of granite vertical joint development. When rock is exposed to the surface, it undergoes long-term expansion and contraction due to temperature, causing spherical weathering and forming stone eggs. Later, gravity collapses and other factors shape the landscape we see now.

Now look at this "Eminent Monk Preaching": a peak over ten zhang high (about 33 meters), resembling a monk in a kasaya, holding a sutra, facing the East Sea, preaching the Dharma devoutly.

On Mount Taimu, you see the mountains with your eyes, but even more so with your heart!

Mount Taimu is known for its "dangerous peaks, strange rocks, mysterious caves, and misty illusions." Among these, the caves are truly the best in China! It has the most cave passages in the country—over 100 rock caves crisscrossed like a maze. Walking through them, you have to crouch, lie down, squeeze sideways, or crawl. Besides the thrill of exploring dangerous secrets, you also compete with friends to see who fits through the narrowest gaps. Thus, with laughter and play, you traverse the serene cave paths of Mount Taimu, adding a different kind of fun to mountain climbing.

I've been to many "One-Line-Sky" gorges, but Mount Taimu's is the narrowest in China. The cave is over 60 meters long, 40 meters high, and at its narrowest only 20 centimeters wide, allowing only one person to pass pressed against the wall. A natural pass, fantastically perilous.

This Seven Stars Cave is over 40 meters long, 20 meters high, and averages 95 centimeters wide. Looking up, you see seven round stones wedged in the gap, seemingly about to fall, making you unconsciously grateful that these narrow passages blocked their path. The seven stones resemble stars in the Milky Way, hence the name Seven Stars Cave.

The caves are dark and cramped; in the darkest parts, we need flashlights. But always, cracks let sunlight stream in, bringing hope as we walk through the darkness.

At the cave exits, beautiful scenery always awaits us. Turning around, we always have sunlight for company—that's one of the joys of traversing Mount Taimu!

Besides nature's grandeur, Mount Taimu boasts a long history. The Guoxing Temple, built in the Tang Dynasty, is an important cultural heritage.

Yipianwa Zen Temple, located on the mountain, was built during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, over 400 years ago.

The name "Yipianwa" (A Piece of Tile) comes from a peculiar rock: a huge flat rock covers the cliff top like a tile, forming a cave dwelling.

Behind the Yipianwa Zen Temple, suspended between two mountains, there is an all-copper Grand Buddha Hall, using 150 tons of copper. Golden and magnificent, it hangs in the air between the cliffs.

A bowl of plain noodles at the temple relieved our climbing fatigue, filling our stomachs and soothing our spirits.

At Yipianwa Zen Temple, an even bigger surprise awaited us: the mother tree of Lvxueya, the ancestor of white tea!

China's white tea comes from Fuding, and Lvxueya is the finest among white teas. Naturally, this mother tree is extremely precious.

So, what sets Mount Taimu apart from other scenic spots is that at almost every snack and drink stall, besides regular items, they sell tea. When tired or hot, stop for a bowl of refreshing white tea to cool off and relieve fatigue—this is the best immersive way to understand Mount Taimu's culture!

The tea we had at Dan Well is a natural rock niche offering pure natural cooling and tea enjoyment. One bowl of plain noodles, one cup of clear tea—this is the most comfortable way to experience Mount Taimu.

Why is Mount Taimu called the "Fairy Capital on the Sea"? I think it's inseparable from its fantastical rocks, sea clouds, and unpredictable weather. A trip to Mount Taimu lets you experience different weather conditions—truly wonderful!

One moment we are under clear skies at the foot of the mountain, the next, dark clouds press down on the summit, bringing rain and wind.

A GIF might better capture the feeling of a storm about to break.

After the rain, the entire mountain air becomes exceptionally fresh. The crystal-clear dewdrops on leaves are Nature's best gift after a storm.

Though not tall, Mount Taimu features precipitous cliffside paths, hanging rock caves, and dangers at every turn. Walking through the mountains is also a breathtaking sight. So travel through this sea fairy mountain, admire the rocks, gaze at the sea, and sip a cup of fragrant tea—that's the right way to open Mount Taimu.

**Travel Tips:**

Location: Fuding City, Ningde; 45 km from city center.

May 1–Oct 7: 07:00–17:30 (last entry 17:30); Oct 8–Apr 30: 07:00–17:00 (last entry 17:00).

Transport: Exit at the Taimushan toll station on the expressway, then follow signs 1 km to the entrance.

Ticket: 140 yuan (includes shuttle bus).

Recommended Route: At the entrance, the map gives several options with recommended times. Our route: Husband and Wife Peaks – Eighteen Arhats Rock – Wooden Plank Path – Yingxian Terrace – One-Line-Sky – Yipianwa – Dapan Rock for a panoramic view of Mount Taimu's mountains and sea – Seven Stars Cave – Return.

Honestly, when I first heard "Fuding," it felt a bit unfamiliar. But when I connected Fuding with white tea, I suddenly realized: this Fuding is the same as the famous Fuding white tea!

Fuding is the hometown of white tea. There are many types, mainly White Peony, Baihao Yinzhen, Shoumei, and Gongmei, with Baihao Yinzhen as the top grade, and Lvxueya as the best of Baihao Yinzhen.

Fortunately, this time in Fuding, at the foot of Mount Taimu, I visited the Lvxueya Tea Garden, embarking on a joyful tea-picking journey, playing the shy tea-picking girl!

Lvxueya is one of China's oldest historical teas, and Mount Taimu hides a mother tree over 200 years old, giving Fuding unique white tea resources. Fuding has 305,000 mu (about 20,333 hectares) of tea gardens, and the Lvxueya Manor at the foot of Mount Taimu is one of them.

The vast tea garden is built along the mountain slopes, undulating and spectacular. Here you can watch the tea-picking girls skillfully gather tender buds into baskets with a few hand movements.

Of course, you can also borrow their bamboo hats, go into the garden, and imitate their poses for some fun photos, pretending to be a happy tea-picker.

Gazing at the misty tea mountains, the tea fragrance intoxicates the heart. The elusive tea-picking girls, the tea mountain songs drifting into dreams. Can I give this set of tea-picking photos full marks?

Taking photos in the tea garden is a must for every girl visiting Fuding—don't miss it! I suggest shooting from a high angle to perfectly frame you with the distant rolling tea mountains and fields. Bingo!

After returning from the tea garden, we visited the estate's tea room, where a tea ceremony master demonstrated the art of tea, brewing a pot of top-quality Lvxueya, letting us enjoy the richness and sweetness of Fuding white tea in comfort and leisure.

Every detail was exquisite, showcasing the quality of Lvxueya, the pinnacle of white tea.

**Play Tips:**

Location: Fangjia Village, Taimushan Town, Fuding City; 850 meters from Mount Taimu scenic area.

Recommended: Experience tea picking, tea ceremony, and accommodation at the manor; combine with a visit to Mount Taimu.

I've visited many islands in China, big and small. Blue sea, fine sand, high clouds, clear breeze—that was my standard impression of islands. But Yushan Island stole my heart at first sight! I fell in love with it instantly!

It has been rated by Chinese National Geography as one of the top ten most beautiful islands in China: sea and sky merge, alpine lakes, stunning sunrises, fairytale guesthouses... every scene was thoroughly beautiful to my soul! Let me tell you about its beauty in detail.

The only way to reach Yushan Island is by ferry. From Yujing Ferry Terminal in Fuding, two boats depart each morning and afternoon, taking about 30 minutes to reach the island.

The ferry is a typical passenger boat, sizable enough. I suggest sitting on the upper deck—you can watch the handsome captain steer, and on the deck outside, you might unexpectedly encounter seagulls.

After settling luggage and accommodation on the island, we started our around-island trip. First stop: Yangguwei. It was once an air-raid shelter, now abandoned, but has become a popular spot for photos. Walking through the long, cool tunnel, the entrance frames the mountains, rivers, lakes, and sea like a natural painting—breathtaking.

See? Stepping out of the shelter, this island beauty greets you.

The shelter is on a hill; the exit leads to a winding path lined with reeds. The swaying reeds are perfect for taking refreshing photos!

From Yangguwei, we came to the island's core attraction: the Heavenly Lake Grassland. Freshwater lakes are rare on islands, but Yushan Island has two connected freshwater lakes—Big Tianhu below and Small Tianhu above—surrounded by alpine meadows, with mountains on three sides and the sea on the fourth. Truly a rare sight.

Big Tianhu has a large surface area. You can enjoy its lakeside scenery and find benches for some Instagram-style travel photos.

Climb the stone steps beside Big Tianhu for about ten minutes to reach the hill, where you can see Small Tianhu in the distance.

Small Tianhu is embraced by the mountains forming a natural heart shape. Although overcast skies hid its true brilliance on our visit, we could still vaguely see the sea and sky merging in the distance and an island shaped like a mythical turtle emerging from the sea. On a clear day, the lake and sea would surely be unbelievably beautiful!

The overcast first day was surely preparing for the next day's sunrise! Look—on our second day on the island, we witnessed this absolutely stunning sea sunrise!

I strongly recommend staying overnight on the island for a two-day, one-night itinerary. Take it slow, experience the island's simple folk customs and pure natural scenery, and enjoy the slow vacation time there.

We stayed at Tianhu Manor, halfway up the mountain. The guesthouse's own rooftop offered an excellent sunrise view. When I opened the curtains in the early morning, it amazed me. Grabbing my camera and rushing to the rooftop, I found early risers sharing the same love for beautiful views. The clouds burned red by the rising sun, the silhouettes of cameras on tripods—this was the best tribute to a beautiful sunrise!

Continuing our island tour, we arrived at the glass viewing platform in Dongjiao Village. An ordinary seaside fishing village, but climbing a mountain gave us a god's-eye view, revealing unique beauty. White-washed houses glistening in the sun, azure sea, fishing boats anchored in the harbor—it's no exaggeration to call it China's Santorini.

From here, you can also overlook Moon Bay. The entire viewing platform has a glass floor—walking on it is thrilling. Dare to try?

The wooden boardwalk up the mountain is also very scenic, perfect for photos.

Down the hill is Moon Bay, with soft, fine sand and clear seawater—a great place for water fun on the island.

The coastal road from Moon Bay to Dongjiao Village, with mountains on one side and the sea on the other, gives you an artistic seaside road-trip photo in no time!

Beyond the fun island tour, there's a trendy guesthouse on the mountaintop of Moon Bay called Xinghaiju. It has only 12 rooms, each named after a zodiac sign. In peak season, you must book in advance; otherwise, you won't get a room.

A beautiful rainbow road, a sea-view platform with stunning vistas—every room faces Moon Bay. Both the rooms and the guesthouse environment are superb. If you can't get a room, come here to snap photos and impress your friends!

A trip around the island wouldn't be complete without food. Be sure to feast on seafood in Mazu Village! It remains a simple, unspoiled seaside fishing village, and the ferry terminal is also here. Seafood here is cheap and delicious—all kinds of fresh aquatic products, both familiar and new, are available. When you land on the island, definitely come here for seafood!

**Travel Tips:**

Passenger boats from Yujing Ferry Terminal (Fuding) to Yushan Island Ferry Terminal: usually 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Return boats: 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 1:30 PM. One-way ticket 50 yuan per person, buy on site.

After leisurely recounting a three-day slow tour of a tranquil city, I realized at the end: such a small city is exactly my dream livable place. I soften time tenderly into the moments, and it, in turn, unfolds its leisurely and graceful time like a scroll, presenting it before me in the most beautiful way!

Mount Taimu's wonders of sea and peaks, Yushan Island's serene charm—this Qixi Festival, come here to witness the gentle and romantic passage of time with your loved one!

Travelogue Index:

1. Fairy Mount Taimu

2. Lvxueya White Tea Estate

3. Hidden Gem Yushan Island

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