Located at the junction of Fujian and Jiangxi Provinces, in the northeast of
Fujian, Wuyi Mountain is one of the nicest spots in this area and one of the
most pleasant mountains in all of China. Despite its inland situation, this
is an extremely popular area and it can get very busy here. It is a good
idea to visit out of season whenever possible. Early in the Spring and Autumn Period some 2,500 years ago, the Ming (Fujian)
people first settled here. Han Chinese have gradually settled here in large
numbers over the years and the area is now home to a mixture of nationalities
and ethnic groups. The scenery here is surprisingly spectacular, falling between two major areas:
the Jiuqu River and the Thirty Six
Peaks that rise up at the top of the mountains. This is archetypal Chinese scenery-picture
postcard stuff (green and lush vegetation, red cliff faces and small, preserved
villages) that generations of painters, poets and artists have visited for years
in an eternal search for inspiration. The air here is wonderfully clean and
fresh, particularly pleasant in early evening, when a hazy mist shrouds the
mountain summit. The unique climate in the region is ideal for the growth of numerous variety
of plants, which, in turn, provide a second-to-none habitat for different species
of rare animals. Most visitors to Wuyi Mountain stop off here on a trip between Fuzhou and Xiamen. One note
of warning before disembarking from the train: Foreigners are generally grossly
overcharged in these parts so be prepared to defend yourself and bargain hard! |