Travel Report: Qingyuan Mountain – Quanzhou, China.
Qingyuan Mountain, Quanzhou, China.
February 2018.
Beautiful Qingyuan Mountain is a protected national park in China’s Fujian province. Located just three kilometres outside the city of Quanzhou, Wonderboy and I simply hailed a taxi and boom, we were there within minutes. Dating back to Imperial China’s Tang Dynasty, the mountain is famed for its giant statue of Laozi, the founder of Chinese Taoism. Hence the mountain gets its fair share of Taoist monks who come here on pilgrimages.
Views across Quanzhou from Qingyuan Mountain.
I’ve seen a fair whack of Chinese mountains in my time. However, Qingyuan certainly holds its own with an abundance of curious sights on the way up to the summit. There’s a shrine and statue to Buddhist master Hongyi and numerous pavilions. Furthermore, you’ve got engraved rocks and magnificent trees transplanted from Taiwan by Chinese army generals. All the while increasingly impressive views over Quanzhou open up, even on a grey, wintry afternoon like this one.
Meeting the locals.
Our Qingyuan experience came during The Chinese New Year break. As a result, many of the people we bumped into were in a festive mood and keen to exchange a few words. We met this family at a much needed resting point after a gruelling set of stone steps. The little girl was particularly chatty, not at all put off by our lack of language skills.
Qingyuan Mountain, Quanzhou.
Sky Lake, Qingyuan Mountain.
The demanding climb brings great rewards, especially when you reach Sky Lake and its beautiful, wooden visitors centre.
Food vendor at Qingyuan Mountain’s Sky Lake.
As we crossed the bridge, Wonderboy and I were accosted by an old lady and her considerable load of uninspiring snacks. She certainly was persistent, following us nearly all the way down and talking constantly in her high pitched voice. Consequently I relented and finally bought a bottle of water just to shut her up. She didn’t appear grateful.
Sky Lake, Qingyuan Mountain.
As you cross the bridge, look out for the lake’s resident family of evil-looking black swans with their red beaks. Seriously, these guys were like Darth Vader’s henchmen. Inside the Qingyuan Mountain Visitors Centre meanwhile, we were bemused to discover the place empty with no café. Even more annoying, the bored looking girl behind the counter informed us that the postcards on display in the so called post office were not for sale! Why? Because, China.
“This is a post office?” – “Yes!”
“These are postcards?” – “Yes!”
“Can I buy one?” – “No!”
Nantai Temple, Qingyuan Mountain.
There are a handful of pretty temples scattered around Qingyuan Mountain. One of them is Nantai Temple, with its giant bell and drum, revolving golden columns and sleeping Buddha.
Qingyuan Mountain, Quanzhou.
Sleeping Buddha at Nantai Temple, Qingyuan Mountain.
Qingyuan Mountain is open daily from 09:00-17:00, with entrance tickets priced at 70RMB (£8/€9/$10.20). Even if you’re just passing through the city, this is definitely worth squeezing in.
Wonderboy certainly recommends Qingyuan Mountain!
For more on this under-the-radar city, check out my other reports from around Quanzhou.
Or maybe search further afield with my zillion articles from across China.
I’ve also written a short story series called Challenged in China.
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