2026 Spring Festival Self-Driving Tour from Shanghai to Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Zhejiang (Part 4: Northern Fujian)
Preface: Northern Fujian's Landscape, Exploring the Danxia Landforms, and the Fragrance of Tea in Wuyi Mountain
February 22nd: Changting → Yong'an → Shaxian | National Highway and Expressway Traverse Northern Fujian, Exploring the Wonders of Taoyuan Danxia
· 8:40 Departed from the Changting hotel, first driving 80 kilometers on the national highway, then turning onto the Quannan Expressway, a total distance of 164 kilometers.
· 11:00 Arrived at Taoyuan Cave Scenic Area in Yong'an (entrance fee 54 yuan). The parking lot was full, so vehicles were parked on the roadside.
· Taoyuan Cave is centered around its magnificent Danxia landforms. Upon entering the scenic area, the massive Ming Dynasty cliff inscription "Taoyuan Cave Entrance" immediately catches the eye. Its powerful strokes are a landmark cultural landscape of the scenic area, exuding an ancient charm.
· 8:35 Arrive at Yixiantian (A Line of Sky), the scenic area's signature attraction. This narrow, precipitous, deep, and long Danxia landform crevice features steep stone steps; at its narrowest point, only one person can pass sideways, making it a rare and perilous landscape in China. Even Xu Xiake, a renowned traveler, described it in his travelogue.
· 11:50 Climb to the top of Wangxiangtai (Elephant Viewing Platform). From the railing, one can enjoy panoramic views of Binlutan (Pearl Pool), Shaxi River, and the continuous Danxia mountains. The elephant-trunk rock and other strangely shaped rocks are remarkably lifelike, unfolding a naturally formed landscape painting.
· Descending the mountain, the route passes ancient sites such as Qiyunguan (Qiyun Pass) gate, Tongtian Pavilion, and Fengguan Pavilion. The cliffside walkway is thrilling and interesting, a moderately strenuous loop, blending scenic beauty with cultural heritage.
· 13:20 Depart for Shaxian County, Sanming. Travel 67 kilometers on the Changshen Expressway. 14:18 Arrive at the hotel near the expressway exit, adjacent to the Shaxian Snack Culture City.
· After a short rest, at 4:30 PM we took a taxi to the city center, heading straight to Li Ji Potsticker Shop. A long queue of customers lined up outside, ordering duck legs, duck blood tofu, pan-fried dumplings, fried wontons, and spring rolls – the atmosphere was bustling and lively.
· After lunch, we walked about 100 meters to Miaomen Wonton Shop, sampling authentic wontons and noodles; another 500 meters to Jialan Shaomai, where crystal shaomai, gold and silver buns, and tofu soup each had their own unique flavor. These were all old shops I'd visited years ago, now renovated, but the taste remained authentic.
· Elsewhere, Shaxian snacks taste similar, but only in its birthplace, Shaxian, does the most genuine flavor remain.
· After our food tour, we walked 2 kilometers back to the hotel, strolling along the way through the Snack Culture City, experiencing the vibrant atmosphere of a Minbei food street in one place.
February 23rd, Shaxian → Wuyishan | Fragrant Tea Along the Trail, Seeking the Charm of Rocks, Embracing the Nine Streams from Tianyou Peak
· 7:00 Enjoy breakfast at the hotel; the mixed noodles and wontons are fresh and delicious.
· 8:30 Depart for Wuyishan, traveling 180 kilometers along the Fuyin-Shanan-Jingtai-Ningshang Expressway, with a short break at Songci Service Area.
· 10:58 Arrive at the hotel next to Wuyigong in Wuyishan. A pleasant surprise upon checking in: the balcony offers a panoramic view of the majestic Dawang Peak.
· 11:55 Walk 400 meters from the hotel to the Wuyigong scenic area transfer point. Wuyishan scenic area admission is currently free; a 2-day scenic area shuttle bus ticket is 85 yuan, and a bamboo raft on the Nine Bend Stream is 130 yuan (advance reservations required). Taking the bus towards Dahongpao/Shuiliandong, there is almost no queue.
· 12:31 Arrive at the Dahongpao stop and walk to the Dahongpao mother tree at the foot of the Jiulongke cliff. Six mother trees, over 360 years old, take root in the rock crevices. The "Da Hong Pao" inscription on the rock face is prominently displayed. Along the way, the Jiulong Famous Tea Garden showcases many famous Wuyi Rock Tea varieties, their aroma lingering in the air.
· I bought a Da Hong Pao tea egg (6 yuan) at a small shop near the mother trees; the price remained the same, and the taste was as good as ever.
· At 13:15, I set off on the Rock Bone and Flower Fragrance Trail (Da Hong Pao—Water Curtain Cave), approximately 3.5 kilometers long. The path is mainly composed of gentle bluestone slabs with only a few steps. Passing through Liuxiang Stream, Huiyuan Temple, and Eagle Beak Rock, the trail is filled with the babbling brook and the aroma of tea, making it a truly poetic hiking route in Wuyishan.
· At 14:30, I arrived at the Water Curtain Cave scenic area. Climbing the steps, I saw Tangyao Cave, the largest Danxia landform cave in Wuyishan, over 100 meters high and wide, capable of accommodating thousands of people. During the winter dry season, the spectacular sight of cascading waterfalls into the Bathing Dragon Pool was absent, but a serene and tranquil atmosphere prevailed.
· The cliff face is covered with inscriptions from the Song, Ming, and Qing dynasties, including "Living Source" and "Water Curtain Cave," showcasing both calligraphic beauty and philosophical depth. This area is also a Taoist grotto, with the Three Sages Shrine, Three Teaching Hall, and Qingwei Cave Temple built against the cliff without a single tile, exuding an ancient charm.
· At 15:10, we returned to Wuyi Palace by car, then transferred to a shuttle bus to Tianyou Peak. We arrived at the scenic area entrance at 15:48 and slowly walked to the foot of the mountain.
· At 16:18, we climbed to the summit of Tianyou Peak, hailed as "the first scenic spot of Wuyi." From here, one can overlook the winding Nine-Bend Stream like a jade ribbon, surrounded by towering peaks and verdant hills. As Xu Xiake said, "Without standing by the stream, one can fully appreciate the beauty of the Nine-Bend Stream; this peak truly deserves to be called the first."
· As it was late when we descended the mountain, we returned to the hotel for dinner. We enjoyed local specialties such as red-eyed river fish, river shrimp, pig's trotters, and red mushroom tofu soup – fresh, flavorful, and leaving a lingering fragrance on our lips and teeth.
February 24th, Wuyishan Overview | Tiger Roaring Rock in the Sea of Clouds, Bamboo Rafting on the Nine-Bend Mountain
· After breakfast at the hotel, we departed from Wuyigong at 7:30 AM. There were few tourists in the early morning; after a 15-minute wait, the bus departed with only two passengers.
· Arrived at Tiger Roaring Rock Station at 7:55 AM, and at 8:02 AM, we challenged the Hero's Slope. The nearly 70-degree zigzag stone steps were flanked by majestic and spectacular Danxia cliffs.
· At 8:17, we ascended the viewing platform, just as the rain had cleared. The Danxia landform and sea of clouds resembled a long ink painting scroll: the red cliffs were deep and crimson, with clear textures; milky white clouds swirled among the mountain valleys, and distant peaks appeared and disappeared; the soft clouds blended with the majestic cliffs, possessing both the grandeur of Danxia and the gentle beauty of the Jiangnan landscape.
· We descended 2 kilometers from the cliff top, arriving at Yixiantian (One Line Sky) at 8:58. We chose to traverse the right-hand Yixiantian. A sliver of light pierced the darkness through the Lingyan fissure, at its narrowest point only 0.3 meters wide. Looking up, the winding fissure was visually stunning.
· At 9:20, we took a bus from Yixiantian to the bamboo raft dock. We had booked the 9:50 departure, but rafts departed as long as there were at least 8 people.
· The Jiuxi River rafting is approximately 9.5 kilometers long, from Xingcun to Wuyigong, connecting 36 peaks and 99 rocks. The red mountains and clear waters are truly picturesque, making it feel like traveling through a painting.
· Pay the boatman 20 yuan for a guided tour, and he will tell you the legends of the strange peaks and the uniquely shaped rocks along the way.
· The highlights accompany you along the way: the Eighth Bend, a "water zoo" with strangely shaped rocks; the Sixth Bend, Tianyou Peak and Shaibu Rock, towering thousands of feet high; the Fourth Bend, a boat coffin perched on a cliff, hiding the mystery of the ancient Yue people; the Second Bend, Yunu Peak, standing by the water, an eternal symbol of Wuyishan; and the First Bend, the majestic Dawang Peak, marking the end of the journey.
· Arrive at Wuyigong, the end point of the rafting trip, at 11:45. The entire trip was a leisurely 2-hour journey.
· Return to the hotel to collect your luggage. Depart for Jiangxi at 12:05. Thus, the trip to Northern Fujian comes to a successful conclusion.
Itinerary Summary
I. Highlights
· This trip to Northern Fujian focused on the Danxia landforms and local flavors: Yong'an Taoyuan Cave is a hidden gem, while the One-Line Sky is unforgettable and thrilling; Shaxian is a paradise for snacks, with popular old shops in the city center offering authentic flavors, and the Snack Culture City is conveniently located. • My third trip to Wuyishan still brought surprises. The scenery is beautiful in all seasons, rain or shine. Rafting on the Nine-Bend Stream is a must-do experience. Tianyou Peak, Tiger Roaring Rock, and One-Line Sky each have their own unique charm. The Rocky Bone and Fragrant Flower Trail from Dahongpao to Shuiliandong on the northern route is a comfortable and therapeutic hiking option.
II. Transportation
· The entire trip was approximately 420 kilometers by car, mainly on highways. Road conditions were smooth and unobstructed. Vehicles were refueled near the hotels in Sanming and Wuyishan, ensuring a worry-free journey.
III. Culinary Memories
· Shaxian snacks are endlessly delicious. Mixed noodles, wontons, shumai, and duck legs are all classics. The red-eyed river fish in Wuyishan is eaten scaled whole—it's incredibly fresh! Dahongpao tea eggs are a must-try every time.