Taimu Mountain is world-famous for four unparalleled wonders: perilous peaks, fantastic rock formations, secluded caves and mystical sea of clouds. It enjoys the laudatory title of "Fairyland on the Sea".
There are 360 rock outcrops on the mountain, shaped vividly like humans, animals and various objects. These nature-carved sculptures are comparable to masterpieces of abstract art, stirring boundless imagination. The most celebrated sights include Husband-and-Wife Peaks, Golden Tortoise Climbing the Cliff and Nine Carps Ascending to Heaven.
Beneath the jagged peaks lie more than one hundred caves arranged in a grid pattern. Big caves connect with smaller ones, twisting and turning to form an intricate underground labyrinth. Visitors have to squat, stoop, sidle and crawl through the passages, full of unexpected fun. This rare group of granite caverns cannot be found on most famous mountains in China.
Standing on the summit, you can overlook the East China Sea. Scattered islands, lovely bays, countless fishing boats and vast blue waves unfold before your eyes, forming a grand panoramic view of mountains and sea.
Yingxiantai Scenic Zone
After crossing Sagong Ridge, you will reach Yingxiantai (Immortal-Receiving Platform). Taimu Mountain is known as the Fairyland on the Sea because legends say immortals from the East China Sea gather here every year. This platform is where Goddess Taimu welcomed the celestial beings, sitting exactly at an altitude of 666 meters.
This is the best spot to view figurative rock formations. Giant natural sculptures are scattered all around, lifelike and vivid.
Towards Wulonggang on the right: Two Elders Playing Go, Tortoise and Snake Meeting, Golden Hound Watching Banyan, Stone Guanyin.
Towards Calabash Cave on the left: Golden Cat Pouncing on a Rat, King Zheng Reviewing Troops, Jade Hare Listening to the Tide, Squatting Monkey Overlooking the Sea, Qilin Roaring.
Nearly every rock has an appropriate vivid name.
Passing through the Small Stone Gate, climb up to Seven-Star Cave and Purple Smoke Ridge. Turn left through Blue Stream Gorge and Sky Crack to Yipianwa (One Tile Cliff). Then slant downhill to Calabash Cave and General Cave.
Calabash Cave Scenic Zone
This zone is the transportation hub of hiking trails, linking Yingxiantai, Jiuli Peak and Yipianwa.
It boasts numerous caves. The highlight is Calabash Cave, hailed as an underground paradise, followed by General Cave with passages leading in all directions. When exiting, look back to see the amusing Kissing Rocks.
Leaving General Cave, walk down the V-shaped Dragon Beard Ridge. At the bottom stands Heavenly Pillar Peak, a giant stone column over 40 meters tall. Two mountain paths lead to Giant Boulder and Sea-Viewing Terrace, both perfect vantage points overlooking the ocean.
Jiuli Peak Scenic Zone
This area is distinguished by towering jagged peaks and grotesque rocks, integrating peaks, crags and caves to embody the classic charm of Taimu Mountain.
You can set off from Yingxiantai, walk alongside Cloud Marker Stone past Sanfu Waist Pass (where even officials must dismount), then through the Dripping Cave to South Heavenly Gate. Alternatively, reach the gate directly from Yipianwa via Sky-Piercing Cave or from Xiangshan Temple through South Heavenly Gate Cave.
Standing between two steep cliff faces at South Heavenly Gate, you can catch a distant view of mist-shrouded Xiangshan Temple, and look up at scenes of Young Monk Worshipping the Moon and Guanyin Sitting on a Lotus Throne.
Next, pass through Seven-Star Cave with huge boulders hanging overhead, and hike along Purple Smoke Ridge veiled in rosy mist. Sights along the way include Heartbroken Rock, Jiang Taigong Fishing, No-Collar Suit Rock and Pumpkin Peak.
At Echo Corridor, one shout brings three echoes. At Carp-Viewing Pavilion, you get a close look at Nine-Carp Peaks and Two Buddhas Discussing Scriptures. Continue upward to reach Moxiao Summit and White Cloud Temple.
Xiangshan Temple Scenic Zone
Nestled in the valley below Jiuli Peak, the temple gets its name from delicate orchid fragrance in bloom season. You can approach from Yipianwa, or drive directly along the mountain road after entering the main gate.
First built in the Ming Dynasty, the temple features a stone sculpture of Rhinoceros Watching the Moon in front of the Mahavira Hall, with a couplet inscribed by Weng Tonghe.
The 500 Arhats Hall houses elaborately carved Burmese white marble arhat statues, a unique treasure nationwide.
The tiny exquisite Jiuli Lake reflects the sharp silhouettes of Nine-Carp Peaks, ideal for landscape photography.
Bat Cave is home to tens of thousands of bats, together with natural springs and marine shell fossils.
The 300-metre-long Azure Dragon Valley remains undeveloped, with exotic rocks, secluded caverns and luxuriant plants forming a serene fairyland.
Climb Tuojiu Ridge to Purple Smoke Ridge. At the cliff edge stands Wind-Riding Bridge, said to be built by the sage Rong Chengzi by driving stones across the deep valley, offering close-up views of Nine Carps Ascending to Heaven. You may also cut through South Heavenly Gate Cave, where tangled vines wind through rugged passages full of fun.
Yipianwa (One Tile Cliff) Scenic Zone
Located in the southwestern part of Taimu Mountain, this is the sacred place where Goddess Taimu attained immortality and ascended to heaven, celebrated for quiet seclusion.
Squeeze through Sky Crack (only wide enough for one person to pass sideways) and White Horse Cave to arrive at Yipianwa. While listening to legends of the goddess, admire scenic groups such as Golden Tortoise Climbing the Cliff and Golden Rooster Announcing Dawn.
Pay homage to the top goddess of Minyue Kingdom at the Sarira Pagoda and Goddess Taimu Palace. Rest at Hongxue Cave, where the goddess practiced Taoism, and brew a pot of Green Snow Bud tea using spring water from the elixir well.
From here, you can climb upward through Sky-Piercing Cave with overhanging boulders toward South Heavenly Gate, or walk downhill past the white marble Arhat Hall to Xiangshan Temple.
Moxiao Summit Scenic Zone
This is the best viewpoint for high-altitude sightseeing. Also known as Crescent Peak, the summit has an observation deck and a TV relay station, suitable for overnight stays to watch sunrise and moonrise.
Down the slope lie White Cloud Temple (Moxiao Nunnery) founded during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, and Mani Palace, the oldest surviving Manichaean relic in China. Other attractions include Beauty Presenting Flowers and Stone Boat.
Near the temple are cliff carvings including "The No.1 Mountain Under Heaven" inscribed by Dongfang Shuo, plus Rice-Flowing Cave and Golden Toad Holding a Money Tree.
Right beside Moxiao Summit stands Fuding Peak, the highest peak of Taimu Mountain, equipped with a sunrise viewing platform.
After touring this area, you can continue toward Tianmen Temple along Tianmen Ridge, or hike into Wulonggang to experience the precipitous mountain peaks.
Guoxing Temple Scenic Zone
Most visitors start their trip here upon entering the core scenic area.
From the main square, you can gaze up at the landmark Husband-and-Wife Peaks and the Eighteen Arhats Rock forest.
A short walk along the right trail leads to Lankava Pagoda, a rare solid octagonal seven-storey stone pagoda built in the Tang Dynasty, as well as the ruins of Guoxing Temple dating back to the Qianfu reign of the Tang Dynasty.
Walk behind the temple to Longtan Lake, where you can admire the reflection of Wulonggang’s sharp peaks. Climb Mist-Watching Hill to feel like an immortal wandering among clouds.
Pass through the wisteria-covered green corridor and hike up Sagong Ridge, a 1.5-kilometre trail donated by Sa Zhenbing, founder of China’s modern navy, with flourishing woods and wild blossoms all the way.
At Cuicui Pavilion, you get a close view of Husband-and-Wife Peaks and Ingot Rock. Pause to appreciate the cliff inscription: No ordinary stones can be found on Taimu Mountain, together with Wave Pattern Rock.
A little further ahead lies China Fir Flat, nicknamed a natural air conditioner, which leads directly up to Yingxiantai.
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