China (Mt Wuyishan, Fujian) Sept 2010 D-15 & D-16

Map of Mt Wuyishan, Fujian, China

Hostel: family run hostel near train station - CNY60 (1 night)

Train: Hangzhou North > Wuyishan - CNY64 (hard seat)
Entrance fee: Ancient Cultural Village (CNY60) & Xin Shan Nature Reserve (CNY98)
Day ride (motor rickshaw): CNY100
Food & groceries: CNY65
Total expenses incurred: CNY447

I arrived at the Wuyi train station at around 05.00 and stay put inside the train station until 06.30. As I stepped out of the train station, a number of taxi & motor rickshaw operators approached me to offer their services to take me to Mt Wuyi. A tour operator provided me some travel tips and realising that you need 2 days to visit Mt Wuyi and a cost of around CNY400-500 which covers transport, admission fees & meals etc. After taking into the time factor and the cost, I opted to hire a motor rickshaw operator charging a service fee of CNY100 per day to take me to the Mt Wuyi resort area. I was abled to take a few pictures of the Da Wang Feng, Tianyou Shan & Lotus Peak. The only regret was that I did not take a bamboo raft trip (CNY100) down the Nine Twist River as I understand this part of the resort is most scenic in Mt Wuyishan.

Instead, I paid CNY158 as admission fee to visit the ancient cultural village of Xia Mei and the Xin Shan Nature Reserve of Mt Wuyishan.

As there are no International Youth Hostels in Mt Wuyishan, I ended up staying in a family run hostel (CNY60 standard room) near the train station.

1) Mt Wuyishan, Fujian - Da Wang Feng , Tianyou Shan (elephant trunk peak) & Turtle Peak

2) Lotus Peak & Wuyi tea plantation, Mt Wuyishan, Fujian

3) Ancient Cultural Village of Xia Mei, Mt Wuyishan, Fujian

4) Xin Shan Nature Reserve, Mt Wuyishan, Fujian

" Mt Wuyishan is in the far north west of Fujian. The scenery is like that of Guilin. The rocks in Mt Wuyi resemble an elephant trunk, a turtle, a frog and two lions playing with a ball. Take a bamboo raft ride if you want to appreciate the true beauty of Mt Wuyi. Mt Wuyi is also famous for its special blends of tea leaves - a great place for Chinese tea drinkers.

The Secrets of Life: The harsh winter is gone. Spring is around the corner. People are driven by hope. If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving "