Famous for its "dangerous peaks, strange rocks, interesting caves, and magical mist" | Known as the Immortal Mountain on the Sea
Mount Taimu Travel Guide: Unlock the Peaks, Rocks, Caves, and Mist of the Immortal Mountain on the Sea
Mount Taimu is located in Fuding City, Fujian Province, and is renowned for its "dangerous peaks, strange rocks, interesting caves, and magical mist." It is also praised as the "Immortal Mountain on the Sea" due to its unique scenery where mountain meets sea. This place has served as a filming location for CCTV’s "Journey to the West" and other TV dramas, making it an excellent destination for hiking, exploration, and enjoying panoramic views. This guide will help you precisely unlock its core attractions.
Quick Core Information
- Scenic Area Address: No. 975 County Road, Taimushan Town, Fuding City, Ningde, Fujian Province
- Tickets and Transportation:
- Tickets: Adult tickets cost about 120-140 RMB, shuttle bus 40 RMB (included in combo tickets). From June to August, teachers and students with valid IDs can enter free of charge, only paying for the shuttle bus; seniors aged 60-64 pay 90 RMB, those 65 and above pay 40 RMB, and children under 1.2 meters enter free.
- External Transportation: High-speed rail directly to Taimushan Station, with scenic area shuttle buses from the station to the distribution center; self-driving navigation to "Taimushan Scenic Area," parking fee 10 RMB/day.
- Internal Transportation: Shuttle buses connect major attractions, running between core areas such as Couples Peak Square, Jiuli Lake, and Five Hundred Arhats Hall. Be sure to use them wisely to save energy.
- Operating Hours: 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM (may close earlier in winter, recommended to enter before 8 AM)
- Best Seasons: Spring and autumn (March-May, September-November) with pleasant weather and frequent sea of clouds; summer is cooler but rainy; winter is quiet with fewer visitors.
Must-Visit Core Attractions
Natural Wonders Check-in
1. One Line Sky: Known as a "body tester," this cave is over 60 meters long, with the narrowest part only 20 centimeters wide. You must turn sideways, press against the wall, hold your breath, and suck in your stomach to pass through. Looking up reveals a stunning "line of sky" view. Heavier visitors are advised to take a detour.
2. Sea-view Boardwalk: A cliffside suspended walkway with wide views, offering distant sights of fishing boats and bays in the East China Sea. On sunny days, the mountains and sea reflect each other; on rainy days, clouds and mist create a fairyland atmosphere. It’s the best spot for panoramic photography.
3. Jiuli Lake: A jade-like natural lake in the mountains. When rainfall is abundant, a hundred-meter waterfall cascades down, forming a beautiful landscape with the surrounding peaks. The fairy bridge by the lake is an excellent photo spot.
4. Crescent Peak (Fuding Peak): The highest of Mount Taimu’s 54 peaks. From the summit, you can overlook the magnificent scene where mountains and sea connect and sky and sea merge. Early mornings often offer the rare sight of sunrise and sea of clouds together.
Cultural and Secret Spots
1. Suspended Copper Hall: Located in the Yipianwa area, this hall is suspended between two peaks, golden and resplendent like a heavenly palace. From aerial views, it looks like an architectural miracle, and when combined with mist, it exudes a strong immortal aura.
2. Baiyun Temple: A thousand-year-old ancient temple hidden on the mountain top, surrounded by lush trees and a tranquil environment. It offers a peaceful religious atmosphere and is a prime spot for watching the sunrise. Nearby starry sky campsites are perfect for overnight camping.
3. Wulong Ridge: A secret route in the back mountain with steep terrain but excellent scenery, showcasing Mount Taimu’s rugged beauty. It’s suitable for hikers with good stamina and offers chances to encounter rare flora and fauna.
Tiered Touring Routes
1. Easy Leisure Route (3-4 hours, suitable for seniors and families)
Couples Peak Square → Guoxing Temple → Shuttle bus to Five Hundred Arhats Hall → Escalator to Yipianwa → Visit Suspended Copper Hall → Shuttle bus to Xiangshan Temple → Stroll around Jiuli Lake → Rail car to Baiyun Temple viewpoint → Return.
Feature: Relies mainly on shuttle buses and escalators with minimal walking, allowing easy enjoyment of core sights.
2. Classic Highlights Route (4-5 hours, recommended for most visitors)
Couples Peak Square → Yingxian Boardwalk → Yingxian Platform (view the "Jade Rabbit Listening to the Tide" rock) → Lanxi Stream → One Line Sky → Baima Cave → Yipianwa → Sea-view Boardwalk → Tianzhu Peak → Xuanji Ridge → Return to Couples Peak Square.
Feature: Covers 80% of core attractions, including peaks, rocks, caves, and sea views. Moderate intensity with high playability.
3. Summit Adventure Route (Full day, suitable for strong hikers)
Couples Peak Square → Lengjia Pagoda → Guoxing Temple → Cedar Forest → Yingxian Platform → One Line Sky → Yipianwa → Jiuli Lake → Rail car to Baiyun Temple → Summit Crescent Peak → Wulong Ridge → Immortal Cave → Longtan Lake → Return.
Feature: Connects panoramic mountain and sea views with secret spots, offering a condensed experience of "the elegance of Huangshan and the danger of Huashan."
Food and Accommodation Recommendations
Must-Try Flavors
- Convenient options inside the scenic area: The "Eat in Fuding" snack shops near Jiuli Lake and Baiyun Temple offer Fuding sliced pork and soup dumplings at affordable prices to replenish energy.
- Specialty foods at the mountain base: Traditional Lao Fuding cuisine (authentic Raobang dishes), Anai intangible cultural heritage pig head meat (soft and sweet taro cake), and Yirong seafood stalls (freshly caught and cooked).
- Must-try snacks: Fuding sliced pork (springy and tender), braised chicken wings, Wudalang steamed cakes, best paired with local white tea to cut the richness.
Accommodation Options
1. Inside the scenic area: Taimushan Lodge, located in the core area, convenient for early sunrise viewing but relatively expensive (about 600 RMB/night), requires advance booking.
2. Nearby homestays: Xianyunju Resort, with warm service and comfortable rooms, close to the scenic area, suitable for budget-conscious travelers.
3. Cost-effective city hotels: Fuding Yurun Bay Hotel (good sea view rooms), Kaiyuan Manju Hotel (with children’s playground, family-friendly), about 45 km from the scenic area, approximately 1-hour drive.