Baishuiyang Scenic Area is located in Shuangxi Town, Pingnan County, Ningde City, Fujian Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a UNESCO Global Geopark, covering a total area of 77.34 square kilometers. Its core landscape, the Baishuiyang Water Plaza, covers 80,000 square meters and is formed by a single flat volcanic rock (quartz syenite porphyry), with a water depth of only 0.1–0.3 meters. The water spreads evenly over the rock without sediment, earning it the reputation of "a peerless wonder under heaven and a mystery of the universe." The scenic area integrates volcanic geology, a shallow-water plaza, and the world's only Mandarin Duck and Macaque Reserve. In 2010, it was inscribed on the UNESCO Global Geopark Network list and is one of Fujian Province's eight major tourism brands.
History and Culture
Baishuiyang was formed by volcanic activity during the Cretaceous Period approximately 90 million years ago. The magma cooled to form tabular rock masses, which, over 5.3 million years of lateral stream erosion and crustal uplift, gradually developed into the globally rare flat-bedded bedrock riverbed. Its geological relics hold significant scientific value for studying coastal crustal movements and paleoclimate evolution in southeastern China.
Pingnan County was established in the 12th year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1734). Around Baishuiyang, cultural relics from the Ming and Qing dynasties remain, such as the Shuangxi Confucian Temple and Ruiguang Pagoda. Scholars and poets of the Ming and Qing eras left numerous verses in praise of the area. In modern times, it gained fame through geological surveys and tourism development. In 2003, then-Fujian Provincial Party Secretary Lu Zhangong called it "a peerless wonder under heaven," and Vice Premier Wu Yi inscribed it as "a unique spectacle."
In 1984, the provincial-level Mandarin Duck–Macaque Reserve was established; in 1994, it became a national-level scenic area; in 2005, it was upgraded to a national geopark; in 2008, it officially opened to the public; and in 2010, it was listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark.
Major Attractions
Shallow-Water Plaza
Covering 40,000 square meters and with a maximum width of 182 meters, the riverbed resembles a natural mirror. The summer water temperature is about 20°C. Visitors can enjoy water activities such as the "100-meter surfing slide" and "Mandarin Duck Board walking race." The rock surface has been naturally scoured to form natural "bathtub" pools, making it a core area for family water play.
Wulao Peak (Five Elders Peak)
At an elevation of 1,000 meters, it is named after five stone peaks that resemble old men playing chess. From the summit, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Baishuiyang. The flat platform at the top is said to be where immortals played chess. With its elegant mountain shape, it is an iconic viewing point of the scenic area.
Yantan Pool
Located downstream of the Middle Plaza, this deep pool is named for the swallows that circle above it. With a depth of 2–3 meters and crystal-clear water, it features a natural swimming area and receives an average of over 5,000 visitors per day in summer.
Yanhou Village
A revolutionary base village, it preserves the former site of Ye Fei's guerrilla forces, with a historic "Western-style building" bearing witness to the past. Century-old trees and terraced fields complement each other, showcasing the ancient charm of eastern Fujian villages.
Shamao Rock (Official Hat Rock)
A 30-meter-tall columnar rock formation named for its resemblance to an ancient official's hat. From different angles, it appears as "a golden turtle carrying a treasure" or "smooth sailing," representing a typical example of volcanic rock joint weathering.
Suggested Tour Routes：
One-Day Tour
8:30 Enter the park → Middle Plaza Shallow-Water Plaza (2 hours, including surfing slide) → 12:00 Lunch at the scenic area restaurant → 13:30 Hike up Wulao Peak (1.5 hours) → 15:30 Swim at Yantan Pool → 16:30 Return.
Two-Day Tour
Day 1：Same as above. Day 2：8:00 Visit Yuanxi Scenic Area (5 km from Baishuiyang) → View Baizhangji Waterfall → 12:00 Farmhouse lunch at Yanhou Village → Afternoon return. Suitable for in-depth geological and ecological exploration.
Travel Tips：
Wear non-slip water shoes (rental available：￥10/pair); bring extra clothes; lockers cost ￥30 each.
On weekends, enter before 8:00 AM to avoid the peak hours of 10:00–14:00; weekdays offer a better experience.
In summer, bring sun-protective clothing and a hat (strong UV); in spring and autumn, bring a light jacket (temperature difference up to 8°C between day and night).
For family trips, prefer the "Mandarin Duck Board" (double wooden clogs); for seniors, the cable car at Wulao Peak is recommended (￥30 one way).
In the evening, stay at a Shuangxi Town homestay (average ￥200/night) and revisit the site the next morning during off-peak hours.
Important Notes：
Do not run or dive in the shallow-water area; helmets are required for the slide (provided by the park).
Protect the ecology：do not feed macaques; pets are prohibited in the reserve.
Store valuables in lockers; use waterproof phone pouches (available for ￥5 each).
Rocks are slippery on rainy days; it is recommended to wear socks for traction; children must be accompanied by parents at all times.
Smoking is prohibited within the scenic area; smoking zones are only available at designated points outside the visitor center.
Transportation：
Self-driving：From Fuzhou, take the Shenhai Expressway → Ningshang Expressway → Pingnan Exit. The journey takes about 2.5 hours. The parking lot has a capacity of 800 vehicles, with a fee of ￥10/day.
Bus：From Fuzhou North Bus Station or Ningde Bus Station, take a bus to Pingnan County (departures every 30 minutes, journey ~3 hours). From Pingnan County, take a public bus to the scenic area (20 minutes, last bus at 18:00).
High-speed rail：Take a train to Ningde Station, then transfer to a tourist shuttle bus (￥25/person, 1.5 hours) directly to the scenic area.
Opening Hours：
Open year-round：8:00–17:00 (last entry at 16:30). From December to February, the park may close temporarily on rainy or foggy days.
Tickets：
Admission：￥120/person (includes scenic area shuttle bus).