A UNESCO World Heritage site of both nature and culture, Wuyishan pairs jagged red Danxia peaks rising over the winding Nine-Bend River with the birthplace of oolong and black tea — and the legendary Da Hong Pao bushes.
History & culture
Sacred to Taoists and a centre of Neo-Confucian learning under Zhu Xi, the Wuyi Mountains also gave the world rock oolong (yancha) and the original black tea (Lapsang Souchong), traded along the old tea roads to Europe and Russia.
What to see & do
- ◆Bamboo-raft drift down the Nine-Bend River (Jiuquxi)
- ◆Heavenly Tour Peak (Tianyou) climb and views
- ◆The mother Da Hong Pao tea bushes on the cliff
- ◆Water Curtain Cave and cliff-side temples
- ◆Ancient Han city ruins
What to eat
- ●Wuyi rock oolong (yancha)
- ●Smoked mountain goose
- ●Bamboo-tube rice and wild greens
Getting there
Wuyishan has an airport and high-speed rail (Wuyishan East); the scenic area and tea hills are a short ride from town.
Avoid the pitfalls
- Buy 'Da Hong Pao' tea carefully — the genuine cliff tea is rare and pricey; much sold is blended.
- The raft drift and peak climbs are separate ticketed areas; plan two days for both.
- Peak tea season and holidays are crowded — book rafts ahead.
Planning a trip around Wuyishan? Our AI itinerary planner is on the way.
Explore more on the map