Tianyou Peak
天游峰
“The Premier Scenic Spot of Wuyi”: climb more than 800 stone steps to the 408-metre summit for a view of the S-shaped river bends of the Fifth and Sixth Bends of the Nine-Bend Stream and the rafts drifting through them.
Tianyou Peak lies on the north bank of the Sixth Bend of the Nine-Bend Stream, at about 408 m above sea level. It is named for the panoramic view from its summit over the winding Nine-Bend Stream, where clouds and mist make visitors feel as if they are touring the heavens. Xu Xiake called it “the premier scenic spot of Wuyi.” The climb begins at the Yunwo scenic area and passes Chadong and the stone steps at the foot of Yinping Peak. There are more than 800 steps, and it takes about 40 minutes to reach Yilan Pavilion, the classic spot for looking down on the Nine-Bend Stream, where emerald water curves in a great bend around Shaibu Rock and rafts drift slowly through. The summit has the Tianyou Temple (a Daoist temple) and cliff inscriptions at Humajian. You can descend by another path, passing Taoyuan Cave. The whole route takes about 2.5–3 hours and is included in the main scenic area ticket. Getting there: take the sightseeing bus to the Tianyou Peak stop. The Yunwo area at the entrance also has the ruins of Zhu Xi's Wuyi Academy. For timing, consider separating the two: climb Tianyou Peak in the morning to see the rafts on the stream, or in the afternoon, look up at Tianyou Peak from the rafts. Notes: The steps are steep and there is no shade in summer, so climbing before 8 am is most comfortable. Steps are slippery when wet, and the summit is crowded, so be patient when taking photos.
Opening hours
07:00–17:00