Wuyishan ( 武夷山) in Fujian province of China is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural, scenic and cultural values. An entire national park is built around the Wuyi Mountains which bears its name. All the sights and most hiking trails are accessed through it.

For me the main attractions of Wuyishan is bamboo rafting on the 9-Bend River and the challenge of climbing 500 very steep steps to Tian You Peak 天遊峰 (one of the mountains’ 36 peaks) to view the river below. For that I joined a 5-day guided tour from Hong Kong in November 2017

Tian You Peak 天遊峰

The guide said there were 500 steps to the top. I took his words for it as I was not counting! All the concentration was needed to climb the steps (a stick was provided)!

There was an alternative way to get to the top – a sedan chair carried by 2 people. 

The first target was the pavilion 

Once there, a lot of people turned back after taking a few photos, 

Leaving the more determined ones to carry on ……

For some spectacular views!!!

Bamboo rafting on the river

It took 2 hours down the river. Each raft took 6 persons, and the shoes tended to get wet!

On a pleasant November day, the cruise was pleasant and relaxing

passing some spectacular views as seen on Chinese paintings

 Impression Da Hong Pao Theatre

It’s a spectacular open-aired show, reputed to the the most watched show in China! It’s about the spirit of China’s traditional tea culture. The narration was in Mandarin but no matter, action spoke louder than words, especially when it was a colourful display with what seemed a cast of thousands, viewed from a 360-degree rotating auditorium.

A statue of serene Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy) carved out of a cliff face

Longchuan Grand Canyon 龍川大峽谷 

It’s not as grand as the name suggested. It’s a conservation area 45 minutes’ drive away from the Wuyishan National Park. It’s a nothing spectacular just a pleasant hike for a view of the mist-shrouded mountains 

Got the fridge magnet!😁