Wonderful Wuyishan

2019 Summer Trip to Asia

September 2, 2019 -- Wuyishan, Fujian, China

When our guide picked us up at the hotel this morning, we were told that everything was cleared with Mr. Lee, our guide in Xiamen. She understood that now we are on a VIP private tour with no shopping stops and she will also reimburse $30 RMB each for the missed dinner last night. From then on, she seemed to be much more friendlier and she apologized for what had happened last night. All was well, and we started our day of tour on a good note. She is a young, energetic guide who acted as a guide and a driver at the same time. We were in good hands.

Wuyi Mountain Scenic Resort

Distance from Wuyishan City to the Wuyi Mountain Scenic area didn't seem too far away. A nice drive through very green and beautiful countryside. Wuyishan was a destination we looked forward to visit on this trip and it turned out to be more than what we expected.

Arrived at the Wuyishan Resort where our guide got tickets at the entrance.

Taking the tram into the park.

Once we were dropped off by the tram, we walked inside to the scenic parts of the park. Here, we could see the bamboo rafts that were drifting down the Jiu Qu Stream.

Everything was so green.

Part of the Jiu Qu Stream (Nine-curve Stream).

Climbing the DaWang Feng (Great King Peak)

This is a very popular hike with plenty of steps going up and down. We were told that we could go all the way up to the top and then come back down on the other side of the peak. We are not crazy, that's exactly NOT what we will do!

We planned on just hike up to the pavilion half way.

Before taking the strenuous hike we walked through the rock-carvings at the bottom of the hill.

and the 'Tea Hole'.

Part of the 'Tea Hole' with the famous tea plants of Da Hong Pao.

Started the climb up leaving our guide at the bottom.

The views got better and better as we climbed our way up.

That was where we stopped. A couple from Hong Kong took this picture of us before they continued their hike up. A woman was very sick when she got here, almost to the point of being unconscious. Her friends were all trying to help her regain strength until they decided to call for help. News reached our guide at the bottom and she rushed up to see if it was us who were in trouble. She was breathless but relieved that it wasn't us when she reached the pavilion. The park rangers had to carry the woman down using a stretcher. I hope she was OK. 

Bye, hiking trail...

...we are going down!

Hometown of Zhu Xi

Back on 'earth', we visited the Classrooms of Zhu Xi inside the park. It was very quiet with not many visitors. A tranquil environment suitable for learning. Zhu Xi was a famous philosopher, scholar and educator in the southern Song Dynasty. His scholastic status ranked only after Confucius. 

The classroom.

An 'old fashion' map of the area of Jiu Qu Stream posted on the wall.

Statue of Zhu Xi

It was time for lunch and we were taken to a local farm-restaurant for a simple lunch.

Bamboo Raft on the Jiu Qu Stream

It was our turn to get on the bamboo raft after lunch. It was a bit nerve wrecking but also exciting.

Pier where we would get on the bamboo raft.

Let the fun begin!

It was basically very stable and steady drifting down the stream.

Absolutely breathtaking scenes all along.

Two raft handlers, one in the front and one in the back.

Just stunning!

The end of the ride.

Our new friends on the raft. A couple from Beijing who were traveling through Fujian on their own. 

The small town near the dock with souvenir shops and snack shops.

Song Je (Song Street)

An old osmanthus tree from the Song dynasty.

Back in the city of Wuyishan, we had dinner at a roadside restaurant that was pre-arranged by the guide where we enjoyed a delicious dinner.

A good dinner to end our tiring day.

It was really a rewarding day visiting the Wuyishan Scenic Area. Definitely worth our time and effort getting here from Xiamen.

"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well."   -- I John 5:1