Yong'an

Yong'an, "China's Home of Bamboo", offers the thrilling Yixiantian slot of Taoyuan Cave and the Linyin Stone Forest, while the Anzhen Fortress and the ancient town of Gongchuan tell the history of central Fujian.

Yong'an is a county-level city under Sanming in Fujian, located in the mountains of central Fujian on the upper Sha River (Yan River). It is known as "China's Home of Bamboo" and "China's Home of Bamboo Shoots". During the War of Resistance against Japan, Fujian's provincial capital was relocated here for more than seven years, leaving behind many wartime historic sites that make Yong'an a key destination for wartime heritage in Fujian. Main areas: about 8 km north of the city, Taoyuan Cave is the signature sight – its Yixiantian ("Thread of Sky"), a slot between Danxia cliffs, is said to be among the longest and narrowest in China; northwest of the city, the Linyin Stone Forest is a rare karst stone forest that pairs well with Taoyuan Cave. About 15 km north, the ancient town of Gongchuan keeps its Ming–Qing walls and old streets; about 40 km east in Huainan, Anzhen Fortress is one of the largest and finest earthen fortresses in Fujian; and Jishan Village west of the city has the greatest concentration of wartime provincial government sites. Nature lovers can head southeast to the Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve for old-growth forest and sphagnum bogs, or to the Jiulong Bamboo Sea National Forest Park east of the city for bamboo forest trails. Best seasons: Mar–May for spring bamboo shoots and green Danxia scenery, and Sep–Nov for crisp autumn weather; in summer the valleys are cooler but afternoon thunderstorms are common. Getting there: high-speed trains from Yong'an South Station connect with Fuzhou, Xiamen, Nanping and Longyan (about 2 hours from Fuzhou); buses or taxis run from the city to Taoyuan Cave and Gongchuan, while a car or hired driver is recommended for Anzhen Fortress and Tianbaoyan. Allow 2 days: one for Taoyuan Cave and the Linyin Stone Forest, and one for Anzhen Fortress plus Gongchuan or Jishan. Note: the Yixiantian slot is very narrow, so larger visitors and those with claustrophobia should think twice; distances between mountain sights are long, so allow for driving time; local treats to try include taro balls, dried bamboo shoots and Jishan aged rice wine.

Top sights

• Taoyuan Cave Scenic Area – A Danxia landform scenic area about 8 km north of Yong'an city, famous for its 'One Line of Sky' gorge, which is so narrow in places that y…
• Anzhen Fort – A Qing-dynasty earthen fortress in Huainan Town with over 300 rooms, balancing defense and decoration. It is one of the largest and most or…
• Linyin Stone Forest – A karst stone forest rare in East China, its peaks taking countless shapes and nicknamed the 'natural stone zoo', sharing a scenic area wit…
• Gongchuan Ancient Town – A thousand-year-old town on the Shaxi River, preserving a Ming city wall, old streets and lanes, the Chen Clan Grand Ancestral Hall and an…
• Tianbaoyan National Nature Reserve – A national nature reserve known for its primeval long-bract hemlock forest, monkey-head rhododendrons and sphagnum bogs, well suited to for…
• Jiulong Bamboo Sea National Forest Park – A bamboo forest park about 14 km east of Yong'an City, where tens of thousands of mu of moso bamboo roll across the hills, with bamboo trai…
• Jishan Village (Wartime Sites) – An ancient village where Fujian's provincial government offices relocated during the War of Resistance against Japan, with wartime sites an…
• Yong'an Confucian Temple – A Ming-era Confucian temple in central Yong'an whose Dacheng Hall timber frame is well preserved, the most worthwhile historic building in…

Where to eat

• Yanjianglou (Yandong Branch) – A century-old Yong'an institution where you can sample thirty to forty traditional local snacks in one visit, including…
• Granny Chen's Cha Cha Guo (Old Shop on Daxiao Street) – An old cha cha guo shop tucked into the alleys of Daxiao Street, busy with morning queues. Rice rolls are dipped in gar…