Wuyi Mountain: A Natural Scroll Painted with Lush Waters and Crimson Mountains

Author: Liu Yaomei
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Over 40 kilometers west of the Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area lies the renowned Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve. This is the largest and most intact subtropical forest ecosystem in southeastern China's mainland, recognized by the United Nations as a Grade A Nature Reserve and a World "Man and the Biosphere" Reserve. The reserve covers a total area of 56,000 hectares, with Huanggang Mountain, reaching an altitude of 2,158 meters, being the highest peak in southeastern China. The reserve boasts abundant plant and animal resources, earning it the title of "World Biological Type Specimen Site" and "World Biological Window" from biologists both at home and abroad. Similarly, the Wuyi Mountain Nature Reserve provides a unique ecological natural landscape for China and the world. Located in the southern suburbs of Wuyi City, Fujian Province, on the southeastern foothills of the northern section of the Wuyi Mountains, it is a famous tourist destination in China. Wuyi Mountain usually refers to the smaller Wuyi Mountain, located 15 kilometers southwest of Wuyi City, Fujian Province, known as one of the famous mountains of Fujian. It features typical Danxia landform and is celebrated for its "emerald waters and crimson mountains" and "unparalleled beauty in southeastern China." It is one of the first national-level key scenic areas. It also boasts the "Three Threes," "Six Sixes," "Seventy-Two," and "Ninety-Nine" scenic wonders. The "Three Threes" refer to the nine-bend river, winding through the mountains like a jade ribbon. The "Six Sixes" refer to the thirty-six peaks lining the riverbanks in various shapes. There are also seventy-two caves and ninety-nine rock formations. The emerald waters and crimson mountains create a magical landscape, with each bend offering a different view. Viewing the mountains from the water and the water from the mountains, a bamboo raft ride along the world-renowned Nine-Bend River is a must. The mountains rise along the water, and the water twists with the mountains, creating a harmonious interplay of scenery. The thirty-six peaks and ninety-nine rocks are all visible, with ancient boat tombs dating back about 3,800 years hanging precariously on the cliffs, leaving visitors in awe.
Wuyi Mountain is a historically and culturally significant mountain. As early as the Neolithic period, the ancient Yue people lived and thrived here. Today, the "bridge-like boats" and "" left on the cliffs are remnants of the Yue people's unique burial customs. During the Western Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han sent envoys to Wuyi Mountain to sacrifice to the Wuyi Lord with dried fish. In the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang proclaimed a grand enfeoffment of all famous mountains and rivers, including Wuyi Mountain, which was recorded on stone tablets and strictly protected from logging. In the late Tang Dynasty and early Five Dynasties, Du Guangting listed Wuyi Mountain as one of the thirty-six (celestial realms) in his "Records of Heavenly Realms and Blessed Lands," calling it the "Sixteenth Ascending True Origin Transformation Heavenly Realm." In the second year of the Shaosheng era (1095 AD), after praying for rain and receiving a positive response, the Wuyi Lord was further enfeoffed as the "True Lord of Manifest Dao."
Wuyi Mountain is a mountain of the Three Teachings (Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism). Since the Qin and Han dynasties, it has been a place for Taoist and Buddhist practitioners to reside, leaving behind numerous temples, monasteries, and hermitages. It was also a site where Confucian scholars gathered to teach and lecture. During the Chen Dynasty, Gu Yewang pioneered the tradition of teaching in Wuyi. Later scholars such as Yang Shi, Hu An, and Zhu Xi all gathered disciples here to teach. In the 26th year of the Kangxi era (1687 AD), Emperor Kangxi inscribed "Learning Reaches Nature" as a gift to Zhu Xi, with the plaque hanging above Zhu Xi's created Wuyi Jingshe. Thus, Wuyi Mountain came to be known as the "San Chao (Three Dynasties) Study Site of Confucianism." To this day, the mountain preserves cultural relics such as Wuyi Palace, Wuyi Jingshe, the ancient kiln site of Yulin Ting, the Yuan Dynasty imperial tea garden, rebel camps from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, and over 400 stone inscriptions left by famous figures throughout history, providing invaluable materials for studying the ancient culture of Wuyi Mountain.
Since ancient times, the mountain has been celebrated for its water's beauty, and the essence of Wuyi's water lies in the Nine-Bend River. The Nine-Bend River stretches about 15 Chinese miles, with crystal-clear waters winding like a jade ribbon around the peaks. The river twists and turns with the mountains, forming the scenic wonder of "each bend of the mountain turns, each peak of the water embraces the flow." The Wuyi Mountain Scenic Area also features rare bamboos and woods, exotic flowers, rare birds and animals, and precious medicinal herbs. Especially renowned is the Wuyi Rock Tea, known for its vibrant color, rich aroma, and mellow taste, and its health benefits, making it famous worldwide.