The Taining Scenic Tourist Area is located in Taining County, Sanming City, Fujian Province, China. It is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, a World Geopark, and a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The total area of the scenic area is 492.5 square kilometers, of which the Danxia landform covers 252.7 square kilometers. Taining features predominantly youthful-stage Danxia landforms, complemented by various geological relics including volcanic rocks, granite, and tectonic landforms. Its main landscape characteristics include "waterborne Danxia," canyon clusters, cave wonders, and pristine ecology. The ecosystem within the area retains strong natural integrity and is rich in rare and endemic species.
History and Culture
Taining enjoys the reputation of being an "Ancient Town of the Han and Tang Dynasties, and a Famous City of the Two Song Dynasties." Human habitation dates back to the Neolithic Age. In the sixth year of the Yuanyou era of the Northern Song Dynasty (1086 CE), the county was renamed from Guihua to Taining, with the name bestowed by Emperor Zhezong of Song, who took the title "Taining" from the Queli Mansion of Confucius in Qufu, signifying "peace and prosperity for the nation and its people." Taining is the hometown of Zou Yinglong, a Number One Scholar (Zhuangyuan) of the Song Dynasty. During the two Song dynasties, local scholars achieved the remarkable feat of "one Zhuangyuan on each side of the river, four scholars in one family, and nine Juren (provincial graduates) in one lane." The area also preserves ancient architectural complexes such as the Shangshu Mansion (Ministry President's Residence) and the Ming and Qing Gardens. In the Danxia caves, relics of ancient Yue people's cliff burials and the thousand-year-old Manrock Temple (Ganlu Rock Temple) remain as cultural heritage.
Major Attractions
Dajin Lake (Great Golden Lake)
Located in Shuiji Village, Meikou Township, Taining County, the scenic area covers 140 square kilometers, with a water area of 36 square kilometers. It is known as "the most beautiful lake-mountain landscape under heaven." The towering Danxia peaks and the vast lake waters complement each other, creating the famous "waterborne Danxia" landscape. Additionally, it preserves revolutionary historical sites such as the former headquarters of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and the former headquarters of the Eastern Army.
Shangqing Stream
Located in the northeast of Taining, upstream of Dajin Lake, it is hailed as "the best drift in East China." Major scenic spots include "Carp Leaping over the Dragon Gate," "Golden Bell Tolling," and "Five Immortals Watching."
Zhaixia Grand Canyon
Located in Ruanxi Village at the junction of Shancheng Town and Datian Township, about 16 kilometers from Taining county town, it is a key scenic area of the Dajin Lake zone of Taining Global Geopark. It comprises three deep canyons: Xuantian Gorge, Tongtian Gorge, and Yitian Gorge.
Zhuangyuan Rock (Number One Scholar Rock)
Situated in Changxing Village, northern suburb of Taining county town, downstream of Shangqing Stream, about 12 kilometers from the county town. It is named after Zou Yinglong, a Number One Scholar of the Song Dynasty, who studied here in his youth. The scenic area is divided into five zones including Zhuangyuan Valley, Hulu Tian, and Wuzhi Mountain, and is praised as "a Danxia wonderland where outstanding talents are nurtured."
Manrock Temple (Ganlu Rock Temple)
Located within the Dajin Lake scenic area, the temple was first built in 1146 CE. It is constructed in an arched rock cave, with a wide upper part and narrow lower part, forming an inverted triangle. Its unique architectural design—"one pillar supports the structure, no tiles are used"—is a masterpiece in the history of Chinese temple architecture.
Cat Mountain (Mao'er Shan)
Located in Meikou Township, Taining County, consisting of the Three Sword Peaks of Jinhu Lake, it is part of the Wuyi Mountain range. It was elevated to a National Forest Park in 2000, with a forest coverage rate of up to 90%.
Nine-Dragon Pool (Jiulong Tan)
Located in the northern core area of Taining Global Geopark, it is known as "the miniature pearl of Taining's Danxia landscape" and is a typical representative of youthful-stage Danxia landforms in Taining. Its night tour project, Dream of Jiulong Tan, offers visitors an audiovisual experience integrating light, shadow, and other effects.
Taining Ancient Town
Located in the county seat of Taining, with a history of over 1,300 years, it is known as the "Ancient Town of Han and Tang, Famous City of Two Songs." The nationally protected Shangshu Mansion within the town is one of the best-preserved and most exquisite Ming Dynasty residential architectural treasures in southern China.
Suggested Itineraries：
One-day tour：Dajin Lake (enjoy waterborne Danxia) → Manrock Temple (visit unique architecture) → Taining Ancient Town (experience history and culture).
Two-day tour：Day 1 – Shangqing Stream (bamboo raft drifting) → Zhuangyuan Rock (explore historical relics); Day 2 – Zhaixia Grand Canyon (scenic canyon views) → Nine-Dragon Pool (enjoy night views or daytime Danxia landscape).
Three-day tour：Day 1 – Dajin Lake → Manrock Temple → Taining Ancient Town; Day 2 – Shangqing Stream → Zhuangyuan Rock → Cat Mountain; Day 3 – Zhaixia Grand Canyon → Nine-Dragon Pool → Geological Museum. Visitors may adjust according to their own time and interests.
Travel Tips：
Spring and autumn offer comfortable weather, making them the best seasons to visit. In summer, take precautions against sunburn and mosquitoes. Winter is damp and cold, so keep warm.
If time permits, plan for extra days to explore each attraction slowly and immerse yourself in the scenery and culture.
When participating in water activities, always wear life jackets as instructed by staff and pay attention to safety.
When trying local food, choose according to your taste; if you cannot eat spicy food, inform the restaurant staff in advance.
Important Notes：
Spring in Taining has frequent rain, so bring rain gear. In spring and winter, temperature differences between morning and evening are large—dress warmly.
Keep your personal belongings safe, especially during transportation and sightseeing.
Practice responsible tourism: do not damage plants, trees, or cultural relics, and do not graffiti in the scenic areas.
Some attractions may have age or physical condition requirements for visitors; choose activities based on your own health, especially for strenuous activities or high-altitude sites.
During nighttime or free time, try to travel in groups, do not trust strangers, and pay attention to personal and property safety.
Transportation：
By air：The nearest airport is Sanming Shaxian Airport, about 1.5 hours' drive from Taining. Take a shuttle bus to Taining or first go to Sanming city and then transfer to Taining.
By train：Taining has a railway station. Take a train to Taining Station, then take a bus or taxi to the scenic area.
By bus：Taining has a bus station, with direct long-distance buses from many cities inside and outside the province.
By car：From cities like Fuzhou or Xiamen, take the Fuyin Expressway and navigate to "Taining Scenic Tourist Area."
Opening Hours：
Open all year round, 24 hours a day. However, some sub-attractions may adjust opening hours due to special circumstances, such as severe weather or maintenance.
Tickets：
Separate tickets for each attraction：
Dajin Lake：from ￥80
Shangqing Stream：from ￥50
Zhaixia Grand Canyon：from ￥50
Shangshu Mansion：from ￥20