Introduction

Yandangshan is famous for its spectacular and elegant natural scenery.

It has long been acclaimed as "A Famous Mountain on the Sea" and "A Peerless Wonder Under Heaven",and is also known as Yanyan and Yanshan.

Historically, it has been called "The First Mountain of Southeast China".Its name derives from the lake at its summit covered with dense reeds,where wild geese returning south in autumn often roost, hence the name Yandang.Mount Yandang Scenic Area is a tourist attraction located in Yueqing City, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, with parts extending into Yongjia County and Wenling City. It comprises three independent sections: North Yandang, Middle Yandang, and South Yandang. The total area covers 343.50 square kilometers, of which the core scenic area spans 90.99 square kilometers.

Photo by Ye Jintao

Yandangshan development as a scenic attraction began in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, and reached its prime in the Song Dynasty.

The development of Mount Yandang began in the Northern and Southern Dynasties, flourished in the Tang Dynasty, and reached its peak in the Song Dynasty.
Crown Prince Zhaoming of the Liang Dynasty (Xiao Tong) founded temples and built pagodas at the foot of the Furong (Lotus) Peak, marking the initial development of the mountain. In the Tang Dynasty, the eminent Indian monk Arahant Mahākāśyapa (Nuojuna), drawn by Yandang's reputation as a "Village of Flowers, Mountain of Birds," came here with 300 disciples to propagate Buddhism. He is revered as the founding patriarch of Yandang Mountain.
By the Song Dynasty, large-scale development unfolded: eighteen temples, ten monasteries, and sixteen pavilions were constructed, ushering in the golden age of Yandang.
Numerous scholars and literati throughout history visited here, leaving behind immortal poems and inscriptions: Xie Lingyun, Guan Xiu, Shen Kuo, Xu Xiake, Kang Youwei, Zhang Daqian, Sha Menghai, Pan Tianshou, Yu Dafu, Guo Moruo, Deng Tuo, Shu Ting, among others. In modern times, Party and state leaders including Jiang Zemin, Li Peng, Zhu Rongji, Qiao Shi, and Li Ruihuan have all inspected Mount Yandang.

Attractions

500 +

Scenic Area Coverage

450 km²

Poems and Paintings

7000 +

Cliff Inscriptions

400 +

Wenzhou Yandang Mountain Scenic Area is a typical representative of Cretaceous volcanoes in the giant volcanic belt along the margin of the Asian continent, with rhyolite from magma forming the main geology of Yandang Mountain. The scenic area has abundant rainfall and a mild climate, with no severe cold in winter and no scorching heat in summer. Yandang Mountain Scenic Area mainly consists of eight major scenic zones: Lingfeng (Spirit Peak), Lingyan (Spirit Rock), Dalongqiu (Great Dragon Pool), Sanzhepu (Three-Tier Waterfall), Yanhu (Wild Goose Lake), Xianshengmen (Magnificent Victory Gate), Yangjiaodong (Ram's Horn Cave), and Xianqiao (Immortal Bridge), featuring over 500 scenic spots. The area is renowned both domestically and internationally for its unique and grotesque peaks and rocks, flying waterfalls and flowing springs, ancient caves and strange caverns, majestic ridges and grand gateways, and verdant pools. Among them, the three scenic zones of Lingfeng, Lingyan, and Dalongqiu are known as the "Three Wonders of Yandang."

Photo by Lu Yongshun

Photo by Chen Xiangzhi

On November 8, 1982, Wenzhou Yandangshan Scenic Area was listed by the State Council among the first batch of national key scenic areas.
In 2005, Yandangshan was named a UNESCO World Geopark in the second batch.
In May two years later, Yandangshan was rated as a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction.