National park · China
Mount Wuyi武夷山 Wǔyíshān
Give Mount Wuyi two days: raft the Nine-Bend River early (book ahead, ¥135, ~90 min), climb Tianyou Peak before 9:00, and walk the Da Hong Pao tea valley to Water Curtain Cave; skip the resort tea shops' top prices.Give Mount Wuyi two days: raft the Nine-Bend River early (book ahead, ¥135, ~90 min), climb Tianyou Peak before 9:00 AM, and walk the Da Hong Pao tea valley to Water Curtain Cave; skip the resort tea shops' top prices.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,000 km²386 sq mi
approximate
Established
1979
Best months
Apr–May, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
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At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 1,000 km²386 sq mi
- The UNESCO-listed property covers about 999.75 km² across the Wuyi Mountains (check).
- Established
- 1979
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Wuyi is a UNESCO World Heritage landscape in Nanping prefecture, Fujian: an eroded volcanic maze of gorges, cliffs and caves along the Nine-Bend River, plus a tea culture that produced Da Hong Pao. The scenic area splits into the park (south and north), the resort strip of tea shops and hotels, and Wuyishan city to the north. Tickets cover shuttle buses inside the zone; the bamboo raft is a separate, regulated fare.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1999Mixed natural and cultural site; the Nine-Bend River and Da Hong Pao are within it.
Size and age
1,000 km²386 sq mi · national park since 1979
The UNESCO-listed property covers about 999.75 km² across the Wuyi Mountains (check).
Why go
- A bamboo raft down the Nine-Bend River is the single best hour and a half in the region.
- Tianyou Peak gives the classic view over the river bends, and the climb is short if you start early.
- The Da Hong Pao valley walk links tea fields, cliff burials and Water Curtain Cave in one half day.
- The northern valleys (Horse Head Rock, Tianxin Yongle Temple) are quiet even in peak season.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCold, damp; some trails icy
- FebRain; slippery stone steps
- MarMild, misty; fewer crowds
- AprTea harvest; green hills
- MayWarm and clear; book rafts early
- JunRainy season; river can rise
- JulHot and humid; typhoon tails
- AugHottest; storms
- SepCooling; still busy at weekends
- OctDry, clear; best walking
- NovDry and mild
- DecCool, often clear
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snakes (including on forest trails)Apr–Oct · Common in the area; stay on signed paths and do not push into forest off-trail. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| BirdsMar–May, Sep–Oct · Bird song is less common here than elsewhere in China, largely because of the snake population. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Tea harvest in the valleysApr–May · Picking and processing around Da Hong Pao; expect more visitors at the main stops. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Shanghai
High-speed train to Wuyishan North, then bus 9 to the resort area.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Xiamen
High-speed train to Wuyishan North, or an overnight low-speed train to Wuyishan station.
3–4 h by high-speed
From Beijing
High-speed train to Wuyishan North; a slower overnight train also runs.
7–8 h by high-speed
From Wuyishan North Railway Station
Bus 9 to the resort area, about ¥4 (≈ under US$1).
30–40 min
From Wuyishan Airport (WUS)
Bus 6 from outside the car park to the resort area; taxis ask ¥30–40 (≈ US$5–6) for the short ride.
15–20 min
From Nanpingshi Station
Tram or bus to Wuyishan; the tram terminus is across from the scenic area entrance.
40–60 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| South park area | Tianyou Peak, Tiger Roaring Rock, Thread of Sky, Jade Beauty Peak and the raft wharf. | Entrance ticket plus shuttle bus; rafts booked separately. |
| North park area | Water Curtain Cave, Da Hong Pao valley, Eagle Beak Rock and the tea-valley trails. | Entrance ticket plus shuttle bus. |
| Resort area | Hotels, guesthouses and tea shops east of the park; not the actual city. | Open; buses 6 and 9 run through it. |
| Wuyishan city | The working town north of the resort, with the railway stations and everyday shops. | Open; local buses. |
Sketch map
- 1South Gate · Gate≈27.628, 117.981Map ↗
- 2North Gate · Gate≈27.689, 117.990Map ↗
- 3West Gate (rafting start) · Gate≈27.642, 117.919Map ↗
- 4Tianyou Peak · Summit≈27.656, 117.948Map ↗
- 5Nine-Bend River raft wharf · Ranger station≈27.642, 117.926Map ↗
- 6Da Hong Pao valley · Trail≈27.672, 117.955Map ↗
- 7Water Curtain Cave · Cave≈27.682, 117.966Map ↗
- 8Resort area · Town≈27.673, 117.953Map ↗
- 9Wuyishan North Railway Station · Ranger station≈27.781, 118.040Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scenic area entrance (includes shuttle buses) | CNY 140–225 | person | One-day and multi-day tickets exist; buy entrance and shuttle together (2026 estimate, check current tiers). |
| Nine-Bend River bamboo raft | CNY 135 | person | Regulated fare, separate from entrance; sold at the gates, often sold out at weekends. |
| Raft driver commentary | CNY 20–30 | person | Optional, in Chinese. |
| Impressions Da Hong Pao show | CNY 168–600 | person | Evening show near the resort; VIP seats cost far more (2026 estimate). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Scenic area ticket permit or guide
Raft booking permit or guide
Guided forest walks no permit
Park rules
- Stay on signed trails
- Going off the beaten path in forest areas without a guide is not recommended; longer trails have fewer people and more snakes.
- Tickets
- You must show your ticket at attractions; buses are checked only sometimes. Entrance and shuttle are bought together even though signs split the costs.
- Raft tickets
- The raft fare is separate from the entrance ticket and is regulated; buy at official ticket offices, not from touts.
- Transport touts
- Avoid unmetered taxis and motorcycle or bicycle rides that charge per person and divert to restaurants for commission.
- Smoking
- There is a smoking area inside the Thread of Sky cave, so that passage can get stuffy.
- Tea prices
- Prices at the Da Hong Pao valley are high; buy in the resort area for a fair price.check
Where to stay
Near the park
Resort area guesthouses and hotels
The main bed base, walkable to the show and a short bus ride from the gates.
Near the park
Wuyishan city
Cheaper everyday hotels near the railway stations, 20–30 min by bus from the park.
Near the park
Xingcun and the river villages
Small guesthouses at the rafting start and along the north bank (check availability).
Safety
Crowds and tight spaces at Thread of Sky medium
Heat on the raft and exposed peaks medium
Slippery stone steps after rain medium
Snakes on quiet trails low
Accessibility
- Shuttle buses reach the main stops, and Wuyi Palace and the museum involve only short flat walks.
- Tianyou Peak, Thread of Sky and the long valley trails are steep, narrow and not suitable for limited mobility.
- The raft requires stepping down into a low bamboo seat; ask staff for help boarding.
Visiting lightly
- Use the shuttle bus network instead of unmetered taxis and per-person motorbike rides.
- Carry out your rubbish; do not feed fish or wildlife from the rafts.
- Buy tea from shops that can explain origin and harvest rather than valley-side souvenir stalls.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Wuyi?
The scenic area entrance ticket, which includes the shuttle bus network, is about ¥140–225 per person depending on the tier and number of days (2026 estimate, check current prices). The Nine-Bend River bamboo raft is separate and regulated at ¥135 per person.
What are the best hikes in Mount Wuyi?
Tianyou Peak for the classic river view (2–3 h, steep at the top), the Da Hong Pao to Water Curtain Cave valley walk through tea fields (3–4 h), and the quieter Horse Head Rock trail from the Da Hong Pao car park. Thread of Sky is short but very narrow and crowded.
When is the best time to visit Mount Wuyi?
April, May, October and November: mild, mostly dry and clear. June to August is hot, humid and storm-prone, and winter steps can be icy. Weekends and Chinese public holidays are the busiest, so book raft slots a day ahead.
Do I need to book the bamboo raft in advance?
Yes, in practice. Rafts run eight times a day from 06:40 and often sell out at weekends. Buy at the official ticket offices at the South or North gate, or through your hotel.
How do I get to Mount Wuyi?
High-speed trains stop at Wuyishan North, with bus 9 to the resort area (about ¥4). Wuyishan station handles slower trains, and Wuyishan airport (WUS) is close to the resort with bus 6 outside the car park. From Nanpingshi station, take the tram or a bus.
Is Mount Wuyi the same as Wuyishan city?
No. The scenic area and resort strip sit west of Wuyishan city, which is the working town with the railway stations. The resort area is where most visitors sleep and eat.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go