Wuyi Mountains

Wuyi Mountains Cultural and Natural Scenic Area, one of the national key scenic areas, covers an area of 70 square kilometers. One spectacular scene is the numerous peaks and 99 rocks. Most of the peaks are around the height of 400 meters, though San Yang Peak, the highest in the area, rises to 717 meters high, with the 3 escalating peaks looking up toward the sky. On the other hand, the Heavenly Tour Peak is considered the top attraction of the whole area and a clambering up this peak is likened to touring in the fairy tale and divine land.

Though not reputed for their heights, the rocky peaks of Wuyi Mountains, most of which stand sheer out of the ground, with their breathtaking cliffs, haunting caves and deep valleys, give a majestic air. Along with the dense and lush vegetation grown on top of the erect rocky peaks, it reminds one of nothing but an exquisite traditional Chinese painting. As Liu Baiyu, a famous Chinese writer, said, " you can't help imagining them as hewn out by a tremendous artist, highly witted and broad-minded, executing his carves with strength, inspiration and elegance¡K"

Wuyi Mountains comprise 7 major scenic areas, each of which has its own unique features and gives different travel pleasure. Nine-bend River, Cloud's Haunt and Heavenly Tour Peak, A Thread of Sky, Water Curtain Cave, Tiger Roaring Rock, Wuyi Palace and Heart of Heaven.

Tracing back to 3,800 years ago, the residents in this area kept to a burial custom which stunned us now: They suspended the boat-shaped coffins high up on the cliffs. How did they make it? And why? No definite answer still. On the other hand, the intriguing natural beauty of Wuyi had been a constant source of inspiration and enlightenment for such celebrities as high officials, scholars and hermits. Their continued congregation in Wuyi Mountains had built and evolved a profound hybrid of Wuyi Culture characterized by the trinity of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism, which later progressed to form the Min Scholarship and made Wuyi the Haunt of Neo-Confucianism in Southern China.