Mount Thumb (also known as Baiyan Mountain and Damo Mountain) stands in the central part of Tangchuan Township, east-central Fujian Province. It is 56 kilometres away from the county seat and 104 kilometres from Fuzhou, the provincial capital. With an elevation of 1,472 metres, it ranks as the highest peak in Youxi County. The whole mountain covers an area of 20,077 mu. Remaining largely undeveloped, this pristine land is an ideal resort for summer retreats, holidays and eco-tourism.

The mountain lies at 118°28′15″E and 26°7′35″N, right at the junction of subtropical continental climate and oceanic monsoon climate. The annual average temperature ranges from 12.5℃ to 14℃, with the lowest temperature between -7.5℃ and -6.2℃ and the highest between 27.5℃ and 29℃. The relative humidity stays at 85%, and sunshine accounts for 41% of the year. Spring comes late while autumn arrives early, and summers stay refreshingly cool. Known as a natural oxygen bar, this place helps visitors maintain good health and enjoy longevity.

The mountain is home to rare tree species including southern Chinese yew, Phoebe bournei, camphor, ormosia henryi, cibotium barometz, submerged camphor, Fujian blue oak, schima, dendropanax brevistylus, podocarpus macrophyllus and michelia maudiae. It preserves well-developed mid-subtropical primeval forests, where trees grow into fantastic shapes: some twist like intertwined pythons, some lean together like affectionate couples, and others look like monks sitting cross-legged in meditation. Valuable wild medicinal herbs such as anoectochilus roxburghii, coptis chinensis and pholidota chinensis grow abundantly here. There is also a rich variety of wild fungi: russula vinosa, ganoderma lucidum, tremella, shiitake and wood ear mushrooms.

Ten thousand mu of special pine and cypress trees feature gnarled bark and twisted branches, comparable to the Guest-Greeting Pines on Huangshan Mountain. Another ten thousand mu of unique ostryachya bamboo produces crisp, sweet and tender shoots. The broken ends of the shoots resemble horse hooves, so locals call them “hoof shoots”. The dried bamboo shoots are small and golden with high economic value, earning the name “golden silk shoots”. These two woodlands form two one-of-a-kind landscapes. One thousand mu of Chinese bayberry trees grow above 1,000 metres above sea level, offering wonderful orchard views and authentic rural experiences.

Numerous precious and endangered species inhabit the mountain: tiger frogs, spiny-breasted frogs, pythons, king cobras, many-banded kraits, Chinese moccasins, big-headed turtles, silver pheasants, northern goshawks, cabot’s tragopans, serows, muntjacs, clouded leopards, macaques, pangolins and hynobius. Colourful butterflies flit about, accompanied by chirping insects and singing birds, composing a natural symphony.

The hillside is covered with fine flowers: camellias, rhododendrons, orchids, lilies, wisterias, michelia fujianensis and wild Fujian cherry blossoms. One hundred mu of red azaleas form a spectacular sea of blossoms in full bloom, glowing bright red like morning glow and raging flames that captivate every visitor.

A great variety of edible wild fruits ripen on the mountain: loquats, plums, kiwifruits, persimmons, chestnuts, wild litchis, mountain pears, white and red bayberries, magnolia seeds and cape jasmine fruits.

Nature has carved countless fantastic stone scenic spots: Immortal’s Footprints, Immortal’s Go Board, Immortal’s Cave, Gem-Storing Rock, Giant Red Cliff, Ten-Thousand-Bed Terrace, Giant Sofa and Divine Ox Descending the Mountain, all steeped in folk legends.

Wispy mist shrouds the mountains all year round, creating breathtaking scenery. In winter, the mountain is wrapped in ice sculptures and heavy snow, with layered snowflakes forming magnificent icy landscapes. There are more than 80 days of rime, ice and snow every year. Key waterscapes include Heavenly Lake, eighteen brooks, twelve dragon pools and the Pig Trough Waterfall. The spring water is of premium quality, hailed as natural mineral water.

Standing atop the peak feels like wandering in a fairyland, with thousands of square kilometres of scenery unfolding fully before your eyes. You can watch the sunrise in the early morning and the gorgeous sunset glow in the evening. Green valleys stretch below like jadeite, while boundless sea of clouds drifts in the distance, making visitors reluctant to leave. The wide-open view fills people with boldness and complete relaxation