Wu Yi Shan, China

1. Requirements to travel

• All U.S. citizens need a valid visa to visit China. You should obtain your visa before you travel.

• Chinese authorities expect you to obey the terms of the visa. (Link). There are many types of visa you can apply to go to China. However, for all the tourists, highly recommend to apply for “L Visa”. In addition, there are three options of numbers you can enter the country; which are single, double and multiple entry in 6 to 12 months. You should plan your trip ahead of the time.

How to apply: (What do you need) passport size/style picture; completed the application of the visa; passport; the cost is $140 for visa only. A travel or visa agent provides this service. (However, travel agent will charge extra money as service fee.) Apply for your visa via China's embassy and consulate service in the United States. (Link) None of the offices accepts postal applications. You must either drop off your application or have someone do it for you. In addition, all travelers should check (website) to ensure you have received all the vaccinations and double check the policy of medications. This website provides some health/safety tips and warnings for tourists.

How to purchase airline ticket: Website: Cheap flight
                   Cheap ticket
                   Fly China                  

There isn't any direct fly to Wu Yi Shan. China Eastern provides a direct airline (Los Angeles to Shanghai, Pudong). Or there is another airline which flies from LAX to Beijing. Be aware when you are purchasing ticket, you may require changing airport from international airport to domestic airport. The price for ticket is around $1500-$2000. The price is highly dependent on “the period of time”; what I mean by that is if you decided to go off-season, it will be cheaper. However, for the poor students like us, we can only go during vacation! The only thing we can do is to book earlier because the longer in advance you purchase, the cheaper it will be. 

2. Shelter 

There are many hotels around near airport. If you do have budget, those hotels are very nice place to stay. However, some of the local residents, they are able to reconstruct their own house and provide a very comfortable place to stay. It is best way to get closer to the local people, culture and nature. You, no more an outsider or visitor, but you are part of the local group who loves the place as they do. For example...

  

Wu Yi Mountain Yeohwa Resort

 Reasons for Recommendation: various choices of foods (western & eastern)

                                                               great views through window

                                                    transportation; N0.6 bus has a stop in front of the  hotel

                                                    well-equipped; internet/TV/pool...etc

English/Chinese Version-Link

Lowest price is CNY 818 

Andi Youth Hostel

Address: N0.16 Sangu Lantang, Wu Yi Shan, Jingqu, China

Tele: 0599-5231369, 13375031369

English/Chinese Version-Link

 3. Transportation 

 Since Wu Yi Shan is neither a major city nor an urban area, most of the local people only speak Mandarin or dialect. Transportation was a major problem for most of foreign visitors. Now, local government adds english translation to all the signs within scenic area. In addition, the public transportation/bus can take you to the place you want to go! It is very convenient! However, learn some basic language skills will be very beneficial too. I will just  take my map and travel guide to "find my way"!

 
My remark: I wish people can be more respectful to the beautiful scenery and local environment. My parents went to Wu Yi Shan several times. They said Wu Yi Shan's environment is lot clearer/better 20 years ago. During their most recent visit of Wu Yi Shan, there is an obvious increase in amount of trash as number of visitor increases.

4. Facts

1. Wu Yi Shan is a county-level city that situated in the municipal region of Nanping, Fujian Province of China. Wu Yi Shan covers an area of 2,798 square kilometers with a population of 208,000. 
2. Wu Yi Shan has been recognized by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as part of the world's natural and cultural heritage. 
3. Wu Yi Shan City has a long history. According to ancient records and archeological evidence, the site of the city was inhabited more than 4,000 years ago. "Boat-shaped Coffins" suspended from cliffs, said to be some 3,800 years old, can still be seen.
4. Wu Yi Shan has a mild and wet climate, without significant temperature changes during its four seasons. The average annual temperature and rainfall are 17.6 Celsius and 1,864 mm respectively. Wu Yi Shan has one airport which is 7km away from downtown.

5. Attractions

1.  Raft Trip & Jiu Qu Xi (Nine Turn) River (Link)

Approximate 2 hrs raft trip; (tips: bring an umbrella/ sun screen, otherwise you may get sun burn) 

The Jiu Qu Stream runs nine kilometers around the mountain with nine turns and eighteen bends. On its two banks, different peaks go up. The Jiu Qu Stream is an amazing place to visit. “One taking a bamboo raft downstream would feel as if cruising in the mysterious universe. You will be amazed by the nature beauty and scenery.” The best view of the mountain is during the bamboo raft trip. It is central piece of Wu Yi Mountains.
“The Nine-Crooked Creek is flanked on either side by mountain peaks and stones of various weird shapes that are entwined with various watercourses. Each crook forms a unique picturesque and poetic landscape and each landscape has its own name.” (Link)
 

Entrance Fee: CNY 100 (for the drift) (tips: make sure you tips the tourist on the bamboo raft trip)
Opening Hours: 07:00-18:00
How to get there: take Buses No. 5 or 6 from the downtown area to the Wuyishan Scenic Area

2. Tea Plantation (Da Hong Pao) ---Village Tour 

Wu Yi Shan is known as a central tea production in South China. The most famous tea they produced is called Da Hong Pao (oolong tea=rock tea). For centuries, the farmers who settle in Wu Yi Shan have developed the methods for making the tea. At present, these methods were elected as the first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and now is a candidate, on behalf of China, of the World Intangible Cultural Heritage.
  As research shows, the growth of the tea is the best demonstration and examination of the local environment. Wu Yi Shan is a rocky region, rivers and beautiful caves. It enjoys a subtropical, warm climate characterized by high humidity and plenty of rain. Here, summers are long and winters are short, providing ideal conditions for growing Dahong Pao tea.
 
I plan to visit Wuyishan Mountain on April or May, so, we can pick the authentic rock tea with the local famers and witness the oolong tea' processing. Take a trip to Wuyishan Mountain to visit some tea plantations; I think we will be amazed by the beautiful scenery.
There are only three original bushes that are still producing the top Da Hong Pao tea. Da Hong Pao tea from one of the mother plants sold for USD $1,250,000 per kilogram in 1998.
Tips: most of “tea show” is free!
Optional: Yi Xiang Da Hong Pao (Impression Da Hong Pao)
Famous Quote from the show: “Your heart determines the taste of the tea.” 

Entrance Fee: CNY 218; VIP: CNY 298
Opening Hours: 08:00pm-9:15pm
How to get there: take Buses No. 5 or 6 from the downtown area. 

3. “Thread of Sky” cave 

  It is also known as “One Line Sky”. It is a magical cave of Wu Yi Mountain. The covering an area of 16 square km, it is famous for the linear view of the sky. At the bottom of valley, you can only see a line of outside world/brightness. The “Thread of Sky” surprises people of the power of nature. It took millions years for these caves to formed. The unique shapes of the rocks opposite the caves become another attraction for visitors as well. (Tips: the hottest time to visit the cave is from April to October.)

Entrance Fee: CNY 140 (the through ticket of Mount Wuyi)
Opening Hours: 08:00-17:00
How to get there: take Bus No. 5 from the downtown area to Shang Pu Nan Ru Kou Station, then transfer to a Tourist Bus to the One Line Sky.

4. Tian You Peak 

Tian You Peak is part of the Mount Wuyi; it is also known as heavenly tour peak. The Tian You Peak Scenic Area is situated around the 5th and 6th bend of the Nine-Bend River. All the visitors must climb the 828 steep stone steps to the top of the mountain and; the views from the top will makes the effort worth it! The steps are very steep.

 (Warning: Don’t get distracted by the beautiful views while you are climbing! If you want to enjoy the scenery, wait until you get to the top of the mountain. Or you can stop and take a rest, look around for the scenery. It is dangerous if you are distracted while you are climbing!)

Usually, the tourists climb up Tian You Peak from its front and walk down its back. It is a risky and tiring adventure. I think the stunning views will make everything worth it! Tian You Peak presents different sceneries in different weather and seasons.
For example: After rain, the sky will be bright, you may see rainbow in between the mountains. 

One foggy morning (it makes even harder to climb the mountain), but you will be above the cloud when you get to the top. (My parents said:  it is a scene they will never forget!)

Entrance Fee: CNY 140 (the through ticket of Mount Wuyi)
Opening Hours: 07:30-17:30
How to get there: take Buses No. 5 or 6 from the downtown area to the Wuyishan Scenic Area

Tips: You only need to pay CNY 140 entrance fee to enter the Mount Wuyi. However, there are many attractions within Mount WuYi area. I would pay CNY 150 or 160; that is the entrance fee for Mount WuYi for two or three days. 

5. Water Curtain Cave (within the Mount Wu Yi)

6. Wu Yi Palace

Resources: http://www.bestchinahotel.com/attractions-in-wuyishan/
                    http://www.aoyou.com/jingdian/f487/jianjie/#%E8%B4%AD%E7%89%A9

6. Shopping/Local Food

(For me, it is hard to accept some the local cuisine. I don't think I will go to a local restaurant and order something I have even heard of...)

Wu Yi Shan Wonton (Bianrou):
Wuyishan wonton (Bianrou) featuring thin and nearly transparent skin and thick stuffing is a very popular food. (The thin skin of wonton is actually made out of meat.) The favor can be easily accepted by most of the tourists. 

Tea Egg

 What should we buy? (Local products)
(always try to negotiate the price with seller! We may save some money; or at least we tried.)

1.       Wu Yi Shan Tea

2.      Wu Yi Shan Mushroom

 
3.      Wu Yi Shan Bamboo Shoot

7. Costs

1.       Airline ticket: USD 1700
2.      Visa: USD 140
3.      Hotel 5 days: USD 200-600 (used 400 to approximate the total)
4.      Food: USD 250
5.      Local Transportation: USD 50
6.      Entrance Fee+Tip: USD 200
7.      Others: USD 200
Total: USD 2940

"To Travel Is To Live"-Let's start saving some money!
           Enjoy you trip~~.