Nature's Masterpiece—An Epic Carved in Granite
The natural landscape of Drum Mountain is a visual feast—the culmination of hundreds of millions of years of geological evolution. The entire mountain massif is composed of vuggy alkaline granite dating back approximately 90 million years to the Late Cretaceous period. Through the ceaseless processes of weathering, water erosion, and gravitational collapse over the ages, the terrain has evolved into a diverse array of rock formations, each distinct in shape and character.
Views from the Summit: Ascending for a Panoramic View of Fuzhou
The highest point of Drum Mountain (Gushan) is Lizha Peak, standing at an elevation of 998 meters. A climb to the summit rewards visitors with a view of the "Three Wonders":
- Spectacular Sunrise: Stand atop the mountain to welcome the very first rays of dawn, as the Min River winds like a silken ribbon through the Fuzhou Basin below.
- Magnificent Panorama: Enjoy a 360-degree bird's-eye view of the entire city of Fuzhou; on clear days, the urban skyline appears to merge seamlessly with the shimmering river waters.
- Stunning Sea View: Gaze out toward the horizon—on days with exceptional visibility, you can spot the estuary where the Min River meets the sea, revealing a vast expanse of open ocean beyond the distant green hills.
The Thousand-Year-Old Mountain Trail: Fuzhou’s Cultural Artery
This ancient path offers the quintessential way to experience Drum Mountain. Spanning approximately 3.5 kilometers, the trail features over 2,000 stone steps and has served since antiquity as the sole route leading to Yongquan Temple. Winding its way upward in a distinctive "zigzag" pattern, the path is punctuated every 500 meters or so by historic pavilions offering places to rest—a sequence known as the "Seven Pavilions over Seven Li." We recommend setting out in the early morning to watch the dawn light filter through the foliage of ancient trees and to pass by local elders engaged in their morning exercises—an experience that captures the most authentic essence of daily life in Fuzhou.
Rugged Rock Formations: An Open-Air Museum of Earth-Sculpted Art
Drum Mountain boasts over 260 distinct natural scenic spots—including peaks, gorges, cliffs, and caves—among which the "Eighteen Scenic Spots" are the most renowned.
- Drinking Water Rock (Lingyuan Cave): This is arguably the most legendary natural landmark on Drum Mountain. A deep fissure—approximately 3 meters wide and 10 meters deep—was formed by a geological fault line. Legend has it that during the Tang Dynasty, a revered Buddhist monk was delivering a sermon here; finding the sound of the rushing stream water to be a distraction, he let out a mighty roar. The sheer force of his voice caused the stream to change its course and vanish beneath the earth. Today, the bottom of the fissure lies dry, while the surrounding cliff walls are covered in inscriptions carved by visitors throughout the centuries, dating back as far as the Song Dynasty—making this one of the most concentrated sites for cliffside rock carvings on Drum Mountain. - The Eighteen Scenes of Bodhidharma: A cluster of extraordinary rock formations shaped by eons of granite weathering, collapse, and accumulation. Their forms are remarkably diverse—some resemble a valley brimming with celestial peaches, others a divine tortoise reaching toward the sea, and still others a celestial ape guarding a mountain gorge. This natural masterpiece sparks the imagination and serves as an excellent destination for families with children to engage in geological exploration. Ticket Reference: 10 RMB per person.
Sea of Flowers and Flowing Springs: The Lifeblood of the Mountain Forest
Gu Mountain boasts an exceptionally high forest coverage rate, home to over 1,600 species of higher plants and more than 1,600 ancient and renowned trees ranging in age from a century to over a millennium. In spring, wild azaleas burst into bloom across the mountainside, their pink and crimson hues dotting the lush greenery. The mountain terrain is further graced by over 50 streams, waterfalls, and natural springs; waters such as the Dragon Head Spring and Sweet Dew Spring are renowned for their crystal-clear purity and sweet taste—celebrated as famous springs of Fuzhou since ancient times.
Humanistic Ingenuity—A Civilization Suspended on the Cliffs of Time
The cultural landscape of Gu Mountain serves as a history of Chinese calligraphy etched in stone, as well as a sanctuary of Zen Buddhism spanning a thousand years.
Yongquan Temple: The Crown of Fujian’s Buddhist Sanctuaries, Hidden Deep Within the Mountains
Situated on the mountainside of Gu Mountain at an elevation of 455 meters and covering an area of approximately 1.7 hectares, this ancient temple is hailed as the foremost Zen Buddhist sanctuary in southeastern China and is recognized as one of the nation's key protected temples. Flanked by Incense Burner Peak in the front and White Cloud Peak in the rear, the temple remains secluded and unobtrusive—encapsulated by the adage: "One enters the mountain yet sees no temple; one enters the temple yet sees no mountain." Only upon passing through the mountain gate do the magnificent halls suddenly reveal themselves in all their grandeur. The Hall of the Great Hero (Daxiong Baodian) enshrines the Tri-kaya (Three Bodies) of Shakyamuni Buddha, while two exquisite, towering ceramic pagodas—each adorned with a thousand Buddha images—stand before the hall, boasting a history of nearly a thousand years. Above the entrance to the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, a gilded plaque bearing the inscription "Yongquan Temple"—personally penned by Emperor Kangxi—remains proudly suspended to this day.
Ticket Reference: 40 RMB per person.
Cliffside Stone Carvings: An Open-Air Museum of Millennia-Old Calligraphy
These carvings represent Gu Mountain's most precious cultural heritage. There are currently 652 extant stone inscriptions, over 200 of which are concentrated in the vicinity of Lingyuan Cave, encompassing every major calligraphic script: Seal, Clerical, Cursive, Semi-cursive, and Regular. Here, you can get up close to "read" this "Bible of the Rock Face"—a cultural legacy accumulated over a thousand years:
- The Earliest Inscription: A 24-character inscription in Regular Script left on the eastern wall of Lingyuan Cave in the sixth year of the Qingli era (1046) of the Northern Song Dynasty by the renowned calligrapher Cai Xiang and his companions.
- The Largest Inscription: A colossal character for "Longevity" (Shou), penned by the Southern Song Neo-Confucian master Zhu Xi. Standing 4.15 meters high and 3.05 meters wide, it ranks as the largest ancient cliff inscription in Fujian Province.
- More Unmissable Inscriptions: Cai Xiang’s inscription on the "Stone of Lingering" (Wangguishi), and a poem carved by the modern literary figure Guo Moruo following his visit to Yongquan Temple.
The Hu Clan Ancestral Shrine and the Legend of "Prosperous Gushan"
A folk saying once circulated: "The Rise of Gushan Spells the Decline of Xichan." Legend has it that during the heyday of Yongquan Temple, monks from the rival Xichan Temple devised a scheme to construct a winding, snake-like stone path leading to Yongquan. This act allegedly triggered a series of disasters—including repeated fires and the sudden deaths of monks—at Yongquan Temple. To put an end to the calamity, the temple authorities built several pavilions along the route to "sever" the serpentine path; only then did the misfortunes cease. This legend adds a touch of mysterious intrigue to the lore of Gushan Mountain.
> Photography Tips:
> Best Panoramic Viewpoint: The Baiyunding (White Cloud Peak) Observation Deck offers a sweeping vista of the Min River as it winds its way through the city of Fuzhou.
> Best Spot for Cliff Inscriptions: The crevices within Lingyuan Cave provide the ideal angle; utilize side lighting to highlight the contours of the characters.
> Yongquan Temple: Best photographed in the early morning mist, when the ancient temple is shrouded in atmosphere, the light is soft, and there are very few visitors.
> The Ancient Mountain Path: Along the ascent, look for dappled light filtering through the canopy, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow across the ancient trees and stone steps—perfect for portrait photography.
