What scenic spots are there in Ningde, and when is the best time to visit?

Ningde is the central city on the northeastern wing of Fujian Province. Facing the vast East China Sea across from Taiwan, it sits midway between the economically developed Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta. Bordering Fuzhou, the provincial capital, to the south, it is Fujian’s nearest central city to the Yangtze River Delta, Japan and South Korea.

In November 1999, the State Council of the People's Republic of China approved the abolition of Ningde Prefecture and the establishment of prefecture-level Ningde City. Ningde administers Jiaocheng District, Dongqiao Economic Development Zone (Dongqiao New District), Fu’an City, Fuding City, Gutian County, Xiapu County, Zhouning County, Shounning County, Pingnan County and Zherong County (four coastal counties and five mountainous counties). It has 124 townships, towns and sub-district offices, and 2,261 village and neighbourhood committees. The land area totals 13,400 square kilometres with a population of 3.39 million. According to preliminary data from the Sixth National Population Census in 2010, Ningde had a registered population of 3,393,698 and a permanent resident population of 2,821,996. Ningde is a national comprehensive reform pilot zone for rural opening-up, development and poverty alleviation approved by the State Council.

Eastern Fujian is embraced by mountains and seas, with rolling ridges and stunning landscapes. It boasts rich and distinctive tourism resources. Fuding Taimu Mountain, known as the "Fairyland on the Sea"; Fu’an Baiyun Mountain famed for "fantastic peaks and valleys"; Zhouning Jiulong Waterfalls, a unique attraction in East China; Zhouning Carp Stream, famous for centuries for harmonious coexistence between people and fish; Pingnan Yuanyang Stream, a one-of-a-kind scenic spot nationwide; Ningde Zhiti Mountain, honoured as "No.1 Mountain under Heaven" by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty; Chian in Xiapu, where the eminent Japanese monk Kukai landed when he travelled to Tang China to seek Buddhist scriptures; Gutian Linshui Palace, famous across Southeast Asia alongside the Mazu Temple; Gutian Cuiping Lake, as beautiful as Taihu Lake; the natural deep-water harbour of Sandu’ao; and the marvellous Baishuiyang Scenic Area. In addition, Yangmeizhou Scenic Area, a provincial-level scenic spot in Fujian hailed as "Little Jiuzhaigou of Eastern Fujian", holds great potential to develop the "No.1 drifting route south of the Yangtze River".

On February 6, 2009, Taimu Mountain Scenic Area in Fuding, Baishuiyang Tourist Zone and Yuanyang Stream Scenic Area were officially rated as national 4A-level tourist attractions by the National Tourism Attraction Quality Grading Committee.

Ningde features a mid-subtropical oceanic monsoon climate with an average annual temperature ranging from 14℃ to 19℃. The weather is mild and humid with four distinct seasons. The best travel period is from April to December every year.