Shouning County

Shouning County is located in the northeastern part of Fujian Province, under the jurisdiction of Ningde City, at the border of Fujian and Zhejiang. It covers an area of approximately 1,433 square kilometers with a permanent population of about 175,000 (2023 data). The county was established in the sixth year of Jingtai of the Ming Dynasty (1455), named after the meaning of 'longevity, peace, and tranquility'. Historically, it was a vital passage from eastern Fujian to southern Zhejiang. Shouning is renowned as the 'Hometown of Chinese Covered Bridges', with 19 existing贯木拱廊桥 (woven timber arch covered bridges), among which Luanfeng Bridge and Dabao Bridge are listed as national key cultural relics protection units. It is also the 'World Hometown of Woven Timber Arch Covered Bridges', and the construction technique is inscribed as a national intangible cultural heritage. The county features undulating mountains with an average altitude of about 800 meters, boasting the 'No.1 Waterfall in East China'—Xipu Scenic Area waterfall cluster, and the ancient Sanfeng Temple from the Tang Dynasty. Shouning is also the 'Hometown of Chinese Famous Tea', producing high-mountain oolong tea and black tea. Culturally, it is known for 'Shouning North Road Opera' (national intangible cultural heritage) and 'Feng Menglong Culture' (the Ming Dynasty writer Feng Menglong served as Shouning's magistrate). In recent years, relying on the red tourism of 'Xiadang Township' and the 'Covered Bridge Culture' brand, Shouning has become an emerging tourist destination in eastern Fujian.

Shouning County's tourism features 'Covered Bridge Culture', 'Red Tourism', and 'High-mountain Ecology' as core highlights. Tour routes can be divided into three themes:

I. Covered Bridge Culture Quest Shouning is known as the 'World Hometown of Woven Timber Arch Covered Bridges', with 19 ancient covered bridges mainly distributed in Xixi Town, Kengdi Township, and Qinyang Township. - Luanfeng Bridge: Located in Xiadang Village, Xiadang Township, built during the Jiaqing period of the Qing Dynasty. It is 47.6 meters long with a single span of 37.2 meters, the largest single-span woven timber arch covered bridge in China. The bridge hangs over a canyon, majestic in appearance. Free admission, open all day. About 40 minutes by car from the county seat (35 km). - Dabao Bridge: Located in Xiaodong Village, Kengdi Township, built during the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty. Inside the bridge, there is a shrine dedicated to Lady Linshui, a living fossil for studying folk beliefs in eastern Fujian. Transportation: Take a rural bus from the county seat to Kengdi Township (about 1 hour), then walk 15 minutes. - Yangmeizhou Covered Bridge: Located in Xixi Town, with a thousand-year-old camphor tree nearby. In autumn, red leaves reflect the bridge, a must-visit for photographers. Suggested route: Visit Luanfeng Bridge in the morning, head to Dabao Bridge in Kengdi Township in the afternoon, and return to the county seat in the evening to visit the 'Covered Bridge Museum' (free exhibition, displaying bridge-building tools and models).

II. Red Classic and Rural Revitalization Tour Centered on Xiadang Township, combined with Feng Menglong culture. - Xiadang Township: The site of General Secretary Xi Jinping's 'three visits to Xiadang' for research. Now built as the 'Unforgettable Xiadang' Theme Memorial Hall (free, open 8:30-17:00). You can walk the 'Party-Mass Heart-to-Heart Road' (about 3 km stone path) and explore the 'Dripping Water Wears Through Stone' Park. Direct tourist buses from the county seat (50 minutes, fare 15 yuan). - Feng Menglong Cultural Park: Located in the eastern part of the county seat, commemorating the Ming Dynasty Shouning magistrate Feng Menglong. The park features a statue of Feng Menglong and inscriptions of 'Shouning Daizhi', free admission. - Sanfeng Temple: Built during the Xiantong period of the Tang Dynasty, located in the western suburbs of the county seat. The temple houses a Ming Dynasty bronze bell and a thousand-year-old Podocarpus tree, with thriving incense.

III. High-mountain Ecology and Waterfall Adventure Tour - Xipu Scenic Area: Located in Xixi Town, the core attraction is the 'Xipu Waterfall Cluster', with a drop of 120 meters, cascading in three tiers, especially spectacular in summer when water flow is abundant. The area also features the longest glass walkway in eastern Fujian (200 meters, additional ticket 40 yuan/person). Ticket price 60 yuan, open 8:00-17:30. Take a shuttle bus from the county seat to Xixi Town (30 minutes), then transfer to the scenic area shuttle (10 minutes). - Nanshan Peak: Altitude 1,254 meters. Climb to overlook the mountains of Fujian and Zhejiang. At the top, there are ruins of a Ming Dynasty ancient fortress. In spring, azalea flowers cover the fields; in winter, occasional rime ice. Free admission, recommended to drive (20 km from the county seat). - Guantai Mountain: Known for ancient silver mine cave ruins and wild macaque groups, suitable for outdoor hiking.

Local Food and Specialties: - Shouning Rice Cake: Made from high-mountain glutinous rice, steamed with bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and minced meat wrapped in reed leaves, soft and sticky. Recommended shop: 'Old Brand Rice Cake Shop' (No. 25 Jiefang Street) in the county seat. - Mugwort Cake: Made from mugwort picked around Qingming Festival, fragrant. Often sold at street stalls. - High-mountain Cloud Mist Tea: Famous for 'Shouning Oolong' and 'Shouning Red'. You can taste and purchase at 'Longhu Mountain Tea Farm' (eastern suburbs of the county seat). - Specialty Restaurant: 'Covered Bridge Home' (Shengli Street, county seat) offers a covered bridge themed meal, about 60 yuan per person.

Transportation Guide: - External Access: Take a high-speed train to 'Fuding Station' (nearest railway station, about 90 km from Shouning county seat), then transfer to a long-distance bus (every 2 hours, 2-hour ride, fare 35 yuan). Or take a long-distance bus from Ningde city center (8 buses daily, 3-hour ride). - Internal Transportation: Taxi starting fare 5 yuan in the county seat; bus routes cover major towns (fare 2-10 yuan). It is recommended to charter a car for visiting the covered bridge clusters (about 300 yuan/day).