Dajue Mountain Scenic Area is located in Zixi County, Fuzhou City, Jiangxi Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction that integrates natural landscapes, cultural landscapes, religious culture, leisure vacations, and adventure entertainment. The total planned area of the scenic area is 204 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 105 square kilometers. Its main features include primitive forests, canyon rafting, an ancient thousand-year-old temple, and a high-altitude cableway. The highest peak in the area is 1,396 meters above sea level, and the forest coverage rate is as high as 97.43%. The negative oxygen ion content in the air is extremely high, and it is known as a "natural oxygen bar." The scenic area contains diverse landscapes such as canyons, waterfalls, lakes, and ancient temples. It is suitable both for leisurely sightseeing and for adventurous experiences, and is a well-known tourist destination in eastern Jiangxi.
Historical Culture
The historical culture of Dajue Mountain is deeply connected with Buddhism. Its name comes from the Buddhist concept of "Dajue," meaning "awakening to the great path." According to historical records, as early as the Eastern Jin Dynasty, there were traces of Buddhist activity in Dajue Mountain, when monks were already building huts there for cultivation. By the Tang Dynasty, Dajue Temple (originally named "Dajue Rock Temple") was formally established. After successive repairs through the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, it became an important Buddhist site in eastern Jiangxi.
The Buddhist culture of Dajue Mountain incorporates Chan Buddhist thought. Historically, many eminent monks preached here, leaving behind numerous legends and relics. Dajue Rock in the scenic area is a huge naturally formed rock cave. Buddha statues were once enshrined inside, and it was the core place for ancient monks' practice. In addition, villages around the scenic area have preserved many Buddhist-related folk cultures, such as temple fairs and blessing ceremonies, forming a unique religious cultural atmosphere. In recent years, while protecting historical relics, the scenic area has restored and rebuilt Dajue Temple, allowing this thousand-year-old temple to regain its vitality and become an important carrier for inheriting Buddhist culture.
Main Attractions
Dajue Temple
Dajue Temple is located inside Dajue Rock Cave and is the core cultural landscape of the scenic area. The temple was first built in the Tang Dynasty. The existing buildings were restored and rebuilt on the original site in recent years, covering an area of about 1,000 square meters. It adopts the architectural style of a traditional temple and consists of the mountain gate, the Mahavira Hall, the Guanyin Hall, and others. The cave has an open space, with the highest point reaching 97 meters. The cave walls are carved with inscriptions by monks of successive dynasties, which have high historical and artistic value. The temple enshrines statues of Sakyamuni, Guanyin, and others. With flourishing incense, it is an important place for tourists to pray, make wishes, and experience Buddhist culture.
Dajue Mountain Rafting
Dajue Mountain Rafting is the signature experience project of the scenic area. The rafting river course has a total length of 3.6 kilometers and a drop of 188 meters. It passes through 66 bends and 33 rapids, and the whole journey takes about 90 minutes. The river course runs through deep mountain canyons, with dense forests and jagged rocks on both banks. It offers both thrilling rapid impacts and gentle, open calm-water sections, allowing tourists to enjoy the natural scenery along the way while experiencing speed and passion. The starting point of the rafting is equipped with complete service facilities and provides professional safety equipment and guidance. It is suitable for healthy people aged 16-55.
Tianhu Lake
Tianhu Lake is located at an altitude of 800 meters in Dajue Mountain. It is an alpine lake with an area of about 100 mu, formed by mountain streams converging. The lake water is clear to the bottom, surrounded by mountains and lush trees. Boats are available on the lake for tourists to ride and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery and feel a tranquil and pleasant atmosphere. Tianhu Lake is also a stop along the Dajue Mountain cableway. Viewed from the cableway, the lake surface is like a piece of jade inlaid among the mountains, making the scenery especially spectacular.
High-Altitude Cableway
The Dajue Mountain high-altitude cableway connects the scenic area entrance with the Dajue Rock attraction. It has a total length of 1,678 meters and a vertical drop of 478 meters between the upper and lower stations, making it one of the cableways with a relatively large drop in Jiangxi Province. The cableway adopts a two-line reciprocating design and can transport about 500 tourists per hour. The entire ride takes about 23 minutes. During the ride, tourists can enjoy panoramic views of canyons, forests, waterfalls, and other landscapes. Especially in cloudy and foggy weather, it feels as if one is in a fairyland, making it an excellent way to view the whole scenic area.
South Heavenly Gate
South Heavenly Gate is located near the summit of Dajue Mountain. It is an antique archway-style building about 12 meters high and 15 meters wide, symbolizing the boundary between the "heavenly realm" and the "human world," echoing the Buddhist idea of "transcending the mundane." Climbing up to South Heavenly Gate, visitors can overlook the canyon below and the distant mountains, with a broad field of vision. This is also an important node for hiking up the mountain. Observation decks and rest areas are provided nearby for tourists to stop, take photos, and rest.
Food
Zixi Bread
Zixi Bread is a specialty food of Zixi County, Fuzhou City, and is sold in restaurants and small shops around Dajue Mountain Scenic Area. Zixi is known as the "Hometown of Bread in China." Its bread-making technique originated in the 1980s and uses flour, yeast, sugar, butter, and other ingredients. It is made through fermentation and baking, resulting in a soft texture and rich aroma. Common varieties include sweet bread, savory bread, and meat floss bread. The price is affordable, making it a convenient choice for tourists to replenish energy while visiting.
Hakka Stuffed Tofu
Hakka Stuffed Tofu is a traditional dish of the Hakka people in the Jiangxi, Fujian, and Guangdong regions, and is commonly found in Hakka restaurants around Dajue Mountain. Its preparation method is to cut tofu into small pieces, hollow out the middle, and fill it with stuffing made from minced pork, shiitake mushrooms, scallions, ginger, and others. It is then made through procedures such as pan-frying, boiling, and simmering. The finished tofu is fragrant outside and tender inside, and the stuffing is delicious. Eaten with broth, it has a unique flavor and reflects the characteristics of Hakka food culture.
Braised Pork with Dried Bamboo Shoots
Zixi County, where Dajue Mountain is located, is rich in bamboo shoots. Braised Pork with Dried Bamboo Shoots is a classic local home-style dish. Local sun-dried bamboo shoots are selected, soaked until softened, and then braised together with pork belly. The dried bamboo shoots absorb the oil and fragrance of the meat, while the meat becomes rich but not greasy, with a rich texture. This dish is salty, fragrant, and delicious, and is nutritious. It is one of the recommended dishes in restaurants around the scenic area.
Scenic Area Restaurants
There are several restaurants in Dajue Mountain Scenic Area, mainly distributed near the visitor center and the rafting end point. They offer Jiangxi cuisine, home-style dishes, and other items, such as steamed fish, stir-fried wild vegetables, and free-range chicken soup. The ingredients in the restaurants are mostly local, fresh, and natural, and can meet tourists' dining needs. The per capita consumption is about 50-80 yuan.
Tickets：
Tickets are 60 yuan/person, and the sightseeing bus is 20 yuan/person.
You can search for the official public account "Jiangxi Dajue Mountain Scenic Area" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours：
Opening hours are 8:00-17:00 daily (summer) and 8:30-16:30 (winter). The rafting project is greatly affected by weather. It usually operates from April to October each year, with specific hours from 9:00-15:00 (ticket checking stops at 15:00). It may be suspended in winter and on rainy days. It is recommended to consult the scenic area in advance.
Tour Route：
Tourists can enter from the scenic area gate, first take the sightseeing bus (about 15 minutes) to the lower cableway station, and take the cableway to the upper station (about 23 minutes) to enjoy the scenery along the way. After getting off the cableway, walk to South Heavenly Gate (about 10 minutes) and climb high to enjoy the view. Then go to Dajue Temple (about 15 minutes) to visit the ancient temple and rock cave. After that, go down the mountain along the trail or take the cableway back to the lower station and head to the rafting starting point to experience rafting (about 90 minutes). After rafting, dine at nearby restaurants, then take the sightseeing bus back to the scenic area gate. The total tour time is about 5-6 hours. Tourists can adjust the itinerary according to their own physical strength and interests.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From Nanchang, take the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway, then transfer to the Jinan-Guangzhou Expressway, get off at the Zixi exit, and drive about 10 kilometers along Provincial Highway S205 to reach the scenic area. The whole journey takes about 2.5 hours. From Fuzhou, take the Jinan-Guangzhou Expressway to the Zixi exit, then drive about 10 kilometers. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours. The scenic area has a parking lot. The charging standard is 10 yuan/day for small vehicles and 20 yuan/day for large vehicles.
Long-distance bus: There are shuttle buses between Zixi County and Dajue Mountain Scenic Area. They depart from Zixi Bus Station every hour from 8:00 to 17:00. The ride takes about 20 minutes, and the fare is 5 yuan/person.
Train: The nearest train station is Zixi Railway Station, about 15 kilometers from the scenic area. After arriving, you can take a taxi to the scenic area. It takes about 20 minutes, and the cost is about 30 yuan.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Dajue Mountain Rafting: With a total length of 3.6 kilometers, a drop of 188 meters, and 66 bends, it is the most distinctive experience project in the scenic area. It is thrilling and exciting, allowing tourists to fully feel the fun of nature and adventure.
Dajue Temple: Located in a natural rock cave, it has a long history. Its architecture is integrated with the natural landscape. The cliff inscriptions and Buddha statues in the temple have high cultural value. It is the core attraction for experiencing Buddhist culture.
High-Altitude Cableway: With a total length of 1,678 meters and a drop of 478 meters, visitors can view canyons and forests panoramically during the ride. The scenery is especially spectacular in cloudy and foggy weather. It is the best way to overlook the scenic area.
Travel Suggestions：
Rafting is the core project of the scenic area. It is recommended to wear quick-drying clothes and sandals, and prepare waterproof bags in advance to protect mobile phones and other items. Waterproof equipment can also be purchased in the scenic area, priced at about 10-20 yuan.
There is a large temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountainous area. Even in summer, it is recommended to bring a light jacket. Wear comfortable sports shoes when hiking, as some sections are steep.
It is recommended to visit on non-weekends and non-holidays to avoid peak crowds, especially for the rafting project, to reduce queuing time.
The scenic area is large. Tourists with limited physical strength can reasonably use the sightseeing bus and cableway to save energy for the core attractions.
Notes：
The rafting project is somewhat dangerous. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, pregnant women, and others are prohibited from participating. Minors under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Strictly follow the guidance of staff and wear life jackets throughout.
Smoking and littering are prohibited in the scenic area. Protect the ecological environment and do not pick flowers or disturb wild animals.
Mountain weather is changeable, and sudden rain may occur. It is recommended to carry rain gear. In thunderstorm weather, stay away from tall trees and open areas, and suspend outdoor activities such as mountain climbing and rafting.
When visiting temples, observe religious etiquette, do not make noise, and do not take photos (if there are no-photography signs), and respect religious customs.
Take good care of personal belongings, especially during rafting and in crowded places, to avoid losing items. There is a medical room in the scenic area. If you feel unwell, seek help promptly.