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 Deng Xiaoping, 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

5000 +

Cliff Inscriptions

400 +

Yandangshan Scenic Area in Wenzhou is a typical representative of Cretaceous volcanoes in the giant volcanic belt on the edge of the Asian continent. Rhyolite from volcanic magma forms the main geological structure of Yandangshan.
The scenic area enjoys abundant rainfall and a mild climate, free from severe cold in winter and extreme heat in summer.
Yandangshan Scenic Area consists of North Yandang in Yueqing, Middle Yandang, and South Yandang in Pingyang.
It comprises eight major scenic zones: Lingfeng Peak, Lingyan Rock, Dalongqiu Waterfall, Sanzhepu Waterfall, Yanhu Lake, Xianshengmen Gate, Yangjiao Cave and Xianqiao Bridge, with more than 500 attractions in total.
Other notable sites include Sanzhepu Waterfall between Lingfeng and Lingyan, Huiwen Academy where the brothers Chen Jingzheng and Chen Jingbang studied during the Northern Song Dynasty, as well as Pearl Spring, Stone Axe Rock, Jade Liquid Pool, Yixin Courtyard, Santai Taoist Temple and Sky-Facing Carp.
Famous worldwide for its unique grotesque peaks, strange rocks, flying waterfalls, flowing springs, ancient caves, majestic cliffs and green pools, the scenic area highlights its top three wonders: Lingfeng Peak, Lingyan Rock and Dalongqiu Waterfall, known as the "Three Wonders of Yandang".

Photo by Lu Yongshun

Photo by Chen Xiangzhi

On November 8, 1982, Wenzhou Yandangshan Scenic Area (referring to North Yandangshan) was listed by the State Council among the first batch of national key scenic areas.
In 1989, with the approval of the State Council, South Yandangshan and Middle Yandangshan were also included in the 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.