The Wuyi Mountains, also called Wuyishan (Chinese: 武夷山; pinyin: Wǔyí Shān; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Bú-î-soaⁿ), are a mountain range in the Nanping prefecture of northern Fujian province, near the border with Jiangxi province in China. The tallest mountain in the area is Mount Huanggang, which reaches 2,158 meters (7,080 feet) at the border of Fujian and Jiangxi, making it the highest point in both provinces. The lowest areas in the region are about 200 meters (660 feet) above sea level. The Wuyi Mountains are famous for producing oolong and black teas, such as Da Hong Pao ("big red robe") and lapsang souchong, which are sold as Wuyi tea. The mountains are known globally for protecting rare and unique plant species, their striking river valleys, and the many temples and historical sites in the area. The Wuyi Mountains are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Wuyi Mountains are located between Wuyishan City in the Nanping prefecture of northwest Fujian province and the city of Wuyishan in Shangrao city of northeast Jiangxi province.
Description
The mountains have been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999 because of their cultural, scenic, and biodiversity importance. The site covers 99,975 hectares and is divided into four main sections. Three sections are natural areas: the Nine-bend Stream Ecological Protection Area (36,400 hectares) in the center, the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve (56,527 hectares) to the west, and the Wuyishan National Scenic Area (7,000 hectares) to the east. The fourth section is a cultural area that protects the remains of the Ancient Han Dynasty (48 hectares), located about 15 kilometers southeast of the other sections. These main sections are surrounded by a buffer zone of 27,888 hectares. Some parts of the Wuyishan National Nature Reserve are more strictly protected as part of the Fujian and Jiangxi Wuyishan Biosphere Reserves, which are included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The region is part of the Cathaysian fold system and has a history of strong volcanic activity and the formation of large fault structures. These features were later shaped by water erosion and weathering. The landscape includes winding river valleys, tall or rounded cliffs, and cave systems. In the western part of the Wuyi Mountains, peaks are made of volcanic or plutonic rocks. In the eastern area, peaks and hills are composed of red sandstone, which creates steep slopes with flat tops (a landform called Danxia). The main types of rock in the western part of Wuyi Shan are tuff, rhyolite, and granite. Red sandstone is more common farther east. Elevation ranges from 200 meters (656 feet) to 2,158 meters (7,080 feet). The terrain is rugged, with cliffs and high peaks. There are many caves in the mountains, some of which are open to the public for tourism.
The Jiuqu Xi River (Nine-bend River), about 60 kilometers long, flows through a deep gorge among the hills. In most places, the river is slow and shallow, allowing only small boats like rowboats and canoes to travel on it. However, at one point, the river narrows to just a few meters in width but reaches a depth of 80 meters (260 feet).
The Wuyi Mountains act as a barrier that prevents cold air from the northwest from entering the area and helps keep warm, moist air from the sea. This results in a humid climate with high humidity (80–85%) and heavy rainfall (an average of 2,200 millimeters in the southwest and 3,200 millimeters in the north). Fog is common. Lower areas have average temperatures between 12°C and 18°C.
The area has little pollution. The Chinese government established its first air-quality monitoring station in the region on January 31, 2005. Lower elevations have a humid subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of about 18°C (64°F) and at least 220 centimeters (86.6 inches) of rain each year. Higher elevations are cooler and wetter, and snow may fall on the highest peaks during winter.
Biodiversity
The Wuyi Mountains are the largest and most important example of Chinese subtropical forests and the biodiversity found in southern Chinese rainforests. The area's ecosystem has existed since before the Ice Age, around 3 million years ago. Scientists have studied the region's plants and animals in the field since 1873.
The type of plants in the area changes based on how high you are. Broadleaf evergreen forests are most common at lower elevations. At higher elevations, these trees are replaced by deciduous and needleleaf evergreen trees. The region is divided into 11 main types of forests:
- Temperate coniferous forest
- Warm coniferous forest
- Temperate broad-leaved and coniferous mixed forest
- Deciduous and broad-leaved forest
- Evergreen broad-leaved and deciduous mixed forest
- Evergreen broad-leaved forest
- Bamboo forest
- Deciduous broad-leaved shrub forest
- Evergreen broad-leaved shrub forest
- Brush-wood
- Meadow steppe
Evergreen broad-leaved forests are the most common. Some of these forests are the largest remaining areas of humid subtropical forests in the world. Scientists have recorded 284 families, 1,107 genera, and 2,888 species of higher plants, as well as 840 species of lower plants and fungi in the region. The most common tree families include beech (Fagaceae), laurel (Lauraceae), camellia (Theaceae), magnolia (Magnoliaceae), Elaeocarpaceae, and witch-hazel (Hamamelidaceae).
The Wuyi Mountains are known for having many different types of animals. About 5,000 animal species have been reported in the area. Of these, 475 are vertebrates (animals with backbones), and 4,635 are insects. The vertebrates include 49 species that are found only in China and 3 species that are found only in the Wuyi Mountains. These include the bird David's parrotbill (Neosuthora davidiana), the Pope's spiny toad (Vibrissaphora liui), and the bamboo snake Pseudoxenodon karlschmidti (family Colubridae). Other endangered species in the area include the South China tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), hairy-fronted muntjac (Muntiacus crinifrons), Mainland serow (Capricornis milneedwardsii – a goat antelope), Cabot's tragopan (Tragopan caboti), Chinese black-backed pheasant (Syrmaticus ellioti), Chinese giant salamander (Andrias davidianus), and the golden Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus aureus – a swallowtail butterfly).
Human history and culture
Human settlement on the slopes of Mount Wuyi dates back about 4,000 years, as shown by archaeological remains. During the Western Han dynasty, the ancient city of Chengcun was the capital of the Minyue kingdom. In the 7th century, the Wuyi Palace was built for emperors to perform religious rituals, a site still open to visitors today. The mountains were an important center for Taoism and later Buddhism. Remains of 35 academies built between the Northern Song and Qing dynasties, as well as over 60 Taoist temples and monasteries, have been found. However, most of these structures are incomplete. Exceptions with well-preserved remains include the Taoyuan Temple, the Wannian Palace, the Sanqing Hall, the Tiancheng Temple, the Baiyun Temple, and the Tianxin Temple. The area is the birthplace of Neo-Confucianism, an influential philosophy that became prominent in the 11th century.
Ceremonies called "Mountain Call" and "Mountain Open" take place in the Wuyi imperial tea garden. On Jingzhe Day (惊蛰), the county magistrate presided over the "Mountain Call" ceremony. During this event, tea planters would chant "tea, tea, sprout" together to ask for good harvests.
Special meals called "Liu Qin" (六亲) are held during leap years and leap months. During these times, parents or brothers must invite married daughters and sisters to return home for meals. If parents are alive, they make the invitation; otherwise, brothers do so.
The number of visitors to the area grew from about 424,000 in 1993 to 700,000 in 1998. A raft trip on the Nine-bend River is the most popular activity. Another attraction is Fuxi Cave, which contains a narrow passage called the "Thread of Sky," less than 40 centimeters (16 inches) wide, opening to the surface above. Nearby, Roaring Tiger Rock produces a loud sound as wind enters a cave. The Tiancheng Temple, built in 1707, has a large rock-relief statue of the Chinese goddess of mercy carved directly into the mountainside. Other caves in the area include Ling Cave and Feng Cave. At least one tour company offers combined trips to these sites. Access to biodiversity-protection areas in the mountains is limited to preserve the environment.
Tea
The Wuyi Mountains have a long history of growing tea. The four most well-known types of Wuyi rock tea are called the Si Da Ming Cong ('Four Great Cultivars'): Da Hong Pao ('Big Red Robe'), Tie Luo Han ('Iron Arhat'), Bai Jiguan ('White Cockscomb'), and Shui Jin Gui ('Golden Water Turtle'). Lapsang souchong tea also comes from this area.
The Wuyi Mountains are the birthplace of tea-picking opera. This art form developed from local dances and songs. The performances are funny and show everyday life in the tea-growing region. Tea-picking opera reflects the simple, rural traditions of Hakka culture. This has made it popular among local people.
Impression Da Hong Pao is the world's only large outdoor show that highlights Chinese tea culture. It tells the story of tea's history and shows how tea is made in the Wuyi Mountain area. The show lasts 70 minutes and takes place in an open natural setting. This makes it the first "landscape surroundings theater" in the world.