Mount Taimu
太姥山 · Fuding City, Ningde, Fujian, China
A granite forest of peaks by the East China Sea, full of rock-crevice caves and oddly shaped stones; legend makes it a gathering place of the East Sea immortals, hence the name "Immortal Mountain on the Sea," and it became a national 5A scenic area in 2013.
Know before you go
- Do not touch Buddha statues or offerings
- do not shout or litter in the caves
- do not carve on inscriptions or rock walls
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Stories & people
Stories & people
Legend
The old mother who grew indigo
According to the Song-dynasty Sanshan Zhi, quoting the Eastern Han writer Wang Lie's Pantao Ji, in the time of Emperor Yao an old woman grew indigo on the mountain. A Taoist taught her the method of the ninefold cinnabar elixir, and on the seventh day of the seventh month she rose to immortality on a nine-colored dragon and was revered as "Taimu." The mountain's name is linked to her.
Source: Chinese Wikipedia: Mount Taimu
Legend
Immortal Mountain on the Sea
Legend says the immortals of the East China Sea gather on Mount Taimu once a year, which is why it is called the "Immortal Mountain on the Sea."
Source: Chinese Wikipedia: Mount Taimu; Wikipedia: Mount Taimu
History
Guoxing Temple, built by imperial order
Guoxing Temple was built by order of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, and 36 more temples were later built around Mount Taimu, making Buddhism flourish here.
Source: Chinese Wikipedia: Mount Taimu
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
Mount Taimu lies in Fuding City, Ningde, Fujian, about 150 km south of Wenzhou and 250 km north of Fuzhou, looking toward Yandang Mountain to the north and the Wuyi Mountains to the west, and rises to about 900 meters. It is made of granite, with stone pinnacles, boulders and caves everywhere; crevice caves such as Yixiantian ("One Thread of Sky") and Gourd Cave, and figure-like rocks such as Husband and Wife Peak, are the main sights, along with waterfalls and streams. Mount Taimu is a national geopark and was rated a national 5A scenic area in 2013. Buddhism and Taoism have long coexisted on the mountain, which has many temples and Taoist shrines.
Local customs
- Squeeze sideways through the narrow Yixiantian crevice and explore Gourd Cave
- see the figure-like rocks around Husband and Wife Peak
- visit Guoxing Temple
- climb high to see mountains and sea together
- after your hike, enjoy a cup of white tea in Fuding.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not touch Buddha statues or offerings
- do not shout or litter in the caves
- do not carve on inscriptions or rock walls
Locals appreciate DO
- Keep quiet and dress modestly in temples
- follow directions and go single file in caves
- stay on open trails
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- The scenic area is large, so allow most of a day
- cave passages are narrow and low, so mind your head and footing
- ticket and scenic-area transport prices are as officially announced, and in summer bring sun protection and insect repellent.
- Take a high-speed train to Taimushan or Fuding Station, then a bus or taxi
- there are also buses to Fuding from Fuzhou and Wenzhou, and shuttles run inside the scenic area. Any season works: spring brings mountain flowers, autumn is clear and crisp, and the scenery is best when mist swirls after rain.
Photos
Photos
颐园居 · CC BY-SA 4.0
颐园居 · CC BY-SA 4.0
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