Located south of Wuyishan City,
Fujian Province, with an area of 70 square kilometers, the area has what is
probably the largest, most typical and best-preserved humid subtropical native
forest in the world. It was nominated as a biosphere reserve of UNESCO's Man and
the Biosphere Program in 1987.
The cliffs and waters of Wuyi Mountain are
outstanding. The workings of Nature of a typical Danxia landform have left
behind 36 peaks, 72 caves, 99 prominent rocks and 108 scenic spots. The Stream
with Nine Turnings is emerald green and crystal clear. The beauty of the
mountain and its waters has made Wuyi known as the most attractive mountain in
southeast China.
Wuyi Mountain is also known for being
of great historic and cultural value. Cultural relics include the extensive
remains of an ancient city of the Min Yue people, dating back over 2,000 years,
the Ziyang Academy of Classical Learning, the tomb of Zhu Xi, cliffside
sculptures, etc. Zhu Xi, a philosopher of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1129),
taught for 40 years at Wuyi Mountain and made it an academic center of southeast
China.
Cultural Heritage
The most ancient scene on Wuyi Mountain is
the stone slabs and boat-shaped rocks over deep gullies, a prestigious natural
wonder. Viewed from above the water, two stone boats stand on several crisscross
slabs on the top of the cliff. The boats are about 6 meters in length, and in
rhombic form, just like those said to be used by the immortals. Huge rocks, deep
caves and pools are three special sights of the Dazang Peak.
Natural Heritage
The Wuyi Mountain Range, usually
called Greater Wuyi Mountain, straddles the border of Fujian and Jiangxi
provinces, stretching over 500 kilometers. The average height of the peaks is
over 1,000 meters above sea level.
The most beautiful part is the Small Wuyi
Mountain scenic area in the territory, 15 kilometers southwest of the Chong'an
County seat, Fujian Province. It is surrounded by streams and valleys, and has
no direct link with neighboring mountains.
The special Danxia landform features include
the Stream with Nine Turnings, 36 peaks, 72 caves and 99 rocks. The distinctive
views of monoliths of red sandstone surrounded by emerald green water inspire
the imagination.
Legends and
Stories
There is a beautiful legend about the
Yun¨¹ Peak. Yun¨¹, a fairy maiden, fell in love with Dawang, an earthly king. She
came to Wuyi Mountain and enjoyed its fantastic natural beauty very much
together with the king. So she decided to stay there. However, a demon named
Tieban (Iron Plate) informed the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor flew into a rage
and turned the demon into a peak, known as the Tieban Peak, to separate the
Dawang Peak from the Yun¨¹ Peak. Therefore, the two lovers couldn't see each
other though they were only a short distance
away.