Leaving from Xiamen in just 2H, I rarely use the word "awe-inspiring" to describe a mountain
😭 After years in Xiamen, I’ve grown tired of climbing all the big and small mountains around! With a free weekend, my friends and I planned a 3-day, 2-night mountain getaway!
🤔 Found this hidden gem for hiking near Xiamen! The aftertaste was so strong—taking the elevator up, lazy hiking, and the cable car offering a breathtaking view of the peaks... It’s incredibly photogenic!
⬇️ How to get there ⬇️
🚄 High-speed rail: Xiamen North Station → Guanzhainan Station
🚗 Self-drive: About 2 hours
🍃 DAY 1: Check into Qingshui Tianyi Hot Spring Resort, featuring hot springs, mountain views, gourmet food, and a fairy-tale amusement park—or just soak in the private courtyard hot spring!
⛰️ DAY 2: 🌄 Head straight to [Guanzhaishan] in the morning—a 5A scenic spot with Danxia landforms and stunning lake views. Highly recommend hiking up to overlook Shimen Lake!
🥐 DAY 3: Slow-life breakfast + Tang Palace Royal Garden, then visit Tianyi Pool for more photo ops before heading to Peitian Ancient Village.
🚶🏾 Recommended Route ①: "Lake → Mountain" efficient sequence (2H-3H)
1. Shimen Lake boat tour: A loop around the lake saves energy 
2. Hike north along the lake: Pass the steep "Carp Back" slope (optional escalator) → "One-Line Sky" → "Lingzhi Peak" → Summit of "Five Elders Peak" → Explore unique landforms like "Root of Life," "Lotus Cave," and "Longevity Star Ridge."
🚶♀️ After hiking, spend the afternoon at the resort’s fairy-tale amusement park—don’t think it’s just for kids! The rainbow slide, rock climbing, and tide pool had me, an adult, playing more excitedly than the kids 😂
😋 Food highlights: Dinner was the hotel buffet, featuring selenium-rich ingredients and Hakka cuisine—super abundant! Highly recommend their honey-glazed chicken wings and Hakka braised chicken.
🎑 At night, revisit the Qingfeng Valley camping area—the atmosphere was perfect! Captured lots of night scenery, ideal for couples, friends, and family trips.
About a 30-minute drive from the resort, the ancient architecture is also great for drone shots. It’s the most well-preserved Hakka ancient building complex, absolutely worth a visit, with a strong Republic of China-era vibe for photos!
✅ Practical tips:
📍 Location: Liancheng Qingshui Tianyi Hot Spring Resort (Liancheng County, Longyan City)
🕐 Recommended itinerary: 2-3 days for the most comfort, pairing Guanzhaishan + Peitian Ancient Village
🎫 Guanzhaishan tickets are best booked online in advance
🎥 Photo spots: Guanzhaishan - wooden cabins - hot spring pools - fairy-tale park - starlight concert - Tang Palace Pool - Peitian Ancient Village