Mount Wuyi: Learn About This Famous Mountain Range In China

Mount Wuyi, in the Fujian Province of China, is a popular destination for tourists and adventure seekers alike.

This stunning mountain is one of the most famous in the country and is known for its rich history and beautiful scenery. This majestic landscape is home to towering peaks, pristine forests, and rushing waterfalls.

Mount Wuyi is China's biodiversity hot spot and home to a large number of ancient, relict species, many of them endemic to China. The breathtaking gorges of the Nine Bend River, which cuts through the wilderness and has numerous temples and monasteries still in use today, served as the backdrop for the development and spread of neo-Confucianism, which remains important in East Asian cultures since the 11th century.

A huge administrative center was erected nearby in the first century BC by the Han Dynasty rulers, who built massive fortifications around it to protect themselves from attacks. An archeological site of great importance is enclosed within its massive walls. Visitors can explore the area by foot, bike, or boat, and marvel at the natural wonders that surround them.

Keep reading this article to learn more interesting facts about this iconic mountain.

History & Formation Of Mount Wuyi

The first human settlements on the slopes of the Wuyi mountains are thought to have existed somewhere around 2,000 BCE. During the western Han Dynasty, the Minyue Kingdom's capital was the ancient city of Chengcun. The ancient kingdom of Minyue was located in Fujian province in southern China, during the Han Dynasty and the state lasted until 110 BCE. According to Sima Qian's 'Shiji', they fled after Chu and Qi crushed Yue in 334 BCE.

By the end of the second century BCE, the Han Dynasty had successfully occupied Minyue in part. Because of its geographical condition (being surrounded by mountains), Han Kingdom was unable to establish control over the area. The capital of ancient Minyue, according to tradition, was located in inner Fujian's mountainous interior. According to this reasoning, therefore, the city must have been a Minyue center.

The Wuyi Palace, in Putian City, Fujian Province, was erected for emperors to conduct sacrificial rituals during the seventh century. The mountain range was a major center of Taoism and later, Buddhism. Remains of 35 colleges built between the northern Song and Qin Dynasties have been discovered, as well as more than six Taoist temples and monasteries.

Only a fraction of those remains have had adequate archeological exploration. The genuine remnants of the Taoyuan Temple, Wannian Palace, Sanqing Hall, Tiancheng Temple, Baiyun Temple, and Tianxin Temple are the exceptions. Neo-Confucianism began here as the cradle of one of today's most important schools of thought.

Area & Location Of Mount Wuyi

The Wuyi Mountains (formerly known as Bohea Hills in western records) are a mountain range located on the northern border of Nanping, northern Fujian province, near the junction of Jiangxi and Fujian. The Wuyi Mountains lie between the Nanping prefecture's Wuyishan City and the town of Wuyishan, both in Jiangxi province.

The area comprises part of the Cathaysian fold system, which has seen considerable volcanic activity and the formation of large fault structures that have subsequently been worn away by water and weather. The countryside is characterized by beautiful meandering river valleys bordered on either side by columnar or dome-shaped crags, as well as cave systems. Volcanic or granite rocks predominate in the western peaks of the Wuyi Mountains, whereas red sandstone (particularly in the east) with very steep slopes but flat tops (Danxia landform) characterize eastern mountains.

The Wuyi Mountains act as a barrier to the influx of chilly air from the northwest and as a reservoir for warm, moist air coming from the sea. As a result, the region is humid with humidity of 8-85% (with high rainfall annually in the southwest and the north). Annual temperatures range from 53.6-64.4 F (12-18 C) at lower levels. The region is relatively clean in terms of pollution. On January 31, 2005, the Chinese government established its first air-quality monitoring station in the area.

The lower elevations have a humid subtropical climate with an average temperature of 64 F (18 C). Winters are snowy on the highest peaks, where cooler, wetter conditions prevail. The nature reserve portion of the Wuyi Mountains is the most representative and significant example of Chinese subtropical forests, as well as the biodiversity of south Chinese rainforests. The region's ecology has endured since before the Ice Age, about three million years ago, when it was home to animals such as woolly mammoths. Since 1873, biologists have been conducting field research in the area.

The vegetation of the region is largely determined by altitude. The lower slopes are dominated by broadleaf evergreen forests, with deciduous and needle-leaf evergreen trees taking over at higher elevations. The fauna of the Wuyi Mountains is highly diverse, with many uncommon and unusual species. The region has a documented 5,000 animal species, including 475 vertebrates and 4,635 insects. Several endangered species, such as the south Chinese tiger and the clouded leopard, are also found in this region.

Size & Height Of Mount Wuyi

Wuyi Mountain site is known as the greatest biodiversity conservation zone of southeast China. The mountains cover a total area of 386 sq mi (999.75 sq km), plus an outer perimeter of 106.67 sq mi (278.88 sq km) in addition to a buffer zone. The west-central portion of the Wuyi Shan area is characterized by rocky, grassy, and forested gorges, with plentiful quartz sandstone (red or purple) and tuff. Laterite is more common to the east. The elevation ranges from 656-7,080 ft (200-2,158 m). There are numerous peaks and crevices on this craggy terrain. Several caverns have been discovered and opened to the public in the mountains.

The Nine-Bend River, about 37.28 mi (60 km) long, meanders through these hills in a deep valley. In most locations, it is a sluggish, shallow river accessible only by small boats like bamboo rafts, or rowboats and canoes. At one place, the water narrows to just a few meters but 260 ft (80 m), making it navigable by small vessels only.

The highest peak in the vicinity is Mount Huanggang at 7,080 ft (2,158 m), on the border of Fujian and Jiangxi provinces. It is also Jiangxi's highest point.

Importance Or Significance Of Mount Wuyi

The mountain range is renowned around the world for being a refuge for several rare and endemic plant species, dramatic river valleys, and the sheer number of significant temples and archeological sites in the region, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site, natural as well as cultural. Mount Wuyi's twin designation distinguishes it from other World Heritage Sites.

Since 1999, the mountains have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for cultural, scenic, and biological reasons. The site includes four major areas with a total area of 99,975 ha (999.75 sq km). The center is home to the Nine-Bend Stream Ecological Protection Area of 36,400 ha (364 sq km), which is flanked by the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve of 56,527 ha (565.27 sq km) to the west and the Wuyishan National Scenic Area of 7,000 ha (70 sq km) to the east. The fourth, a cultural preservation area, is the Protection Area for the remains of the ancient Han Dynasty of 48 ha (0.48 sq km), which is about 9.3 mi (15 km) to the southeast of the others. These core regions are encircled by an additional 27,888 ha (278.9 sq km) buffer zone.

The Fujian and Jiangxi Wuyishan Biosphere Reserves on either side of the provincial border protect more stringently protected portions of the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve, as designated by UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves. There are a variety of tourist attractions in and around all of these areas.

The history of tea production in the Wuyi Mountains is long. The Four Great Cultivars teas from the Si Da Ming Cong, include Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe), Tie Luo Han (Iron Arhat), Bai Jiguan (White Cockscomb), and Shui Jin Gui (Golden Water Turtle). Lapsang souchong also comes from there. The Wuyi Mountains are home to tea-picking opera, which originated there. Tea-picking opera is a comedic and focused look at rural life in the tea-growing region that evolved from local folk dances and songs. Hakka culture's strongly rural character has made it popular throughout the region.

'Impression Da Hong Pao' is the world's only large-scale live-action show that chronicles Chinese tea culture, with a focus on the history of tea and various tea manufacturing processes from Wuyi Mountain. 'Impression Da Hong Pao' is 70 minutes long and takes place in an entirely open environment, making it the first landscape surroundings theater in the world.

The Wuyi imperial tea garden is the site of several mountain rituals, including Mountain Open and Mountain Call. The county magistrate used to preside over the Mountain Call ceremony on Jingzhe Day. Tea planters shout out 'tea, tea, sprout' in unison during the formal affair. They pray for good fortune in the tea harvest by doing so. Liu Qin (six relatives) meals are the name given to special leap-year dinners. Every leap year and leap month, parents and brothers must invite their married daughters and sisters back to their original family for dinner. Parents make the invitation, but if they are no longer alive, it is up to the brothers.

The number of tourists visiting the region increased from 424,000 in 1993, to 700,000 in 1998. The most popular activity is a trip down the Nine-Bend River on a raft. Fuxi Cave is another major attraction, where the Thread of Sky (the narrowest passage) is less than 16 in (40 cm), with an aperture to the surface above. Roaring Tiger Rock, which is only a few hours away, produces a roar when the wind blows into it. The Tian Cheng Temple, which was constructed in 1707 on the side of a mountain, has an enormous rock-relief statue of the Chinese goddess of mercy carved directly into it. Ling Cave and Feng Cave are two other cave attractions in the area.

At least one guided tour agency offers visits to several of these mountain features together. The Water Curtain Cave to Da Hong Pao Scenic Area is a must-visit for tea lovers. The Water Curtain Cave Area is the biggest cave in Mount Wuyi. Deep valleys develop among numerous different-shaped and sized rocks. Creeks and waterfalls flow through the fissures. The area is full of pines, bamboo forests, and a variety of flowers. The Da Hong Pao Scenic Area is notable for its Da Hong Pao (Big Red Robe) tea trees in rocks. The biodiversity-preservation zones in the mountains have restricted access for visitors.

FAQs

How is Mount Wuyi unique?

Mount Wuyi is unique because it is one of the few mountains in China that is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means that it is recognized for its cultural and natural significance and it is protected by international treaties.

How many rocks are in Mount Wuyi?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as the number of rocks in Mount Wuyi depends on the time of the year and the prevailing weather conditions. The mountain is constantly changing and new rocks are constantly being deposited and eroded. However, in general, the mountain is estimated to contain around 100 million rocks.

How high is Mount Wuyi?

Mount Wuyi is at an elevation of 7,080 ft (2,158 m).

Where is Mount Wuyi located?

Wuyi mountain is located in the Fujian province of China.

Has anyone climbed Mount Wuyi?

To date, no one has successfully climbed Mount Wuyi. The mountain is considered to be very difficult to climb, so it is not a popular destination for climbers.