A seriously underrated hidden paradise! Fangshan in Wenling, Taizhou!

Fangshan, a Global Geopark and National Scenic Area, is a huge lava plateau left by ancient volcanic eruptions! The summit is actually a wide, flat "sky plain," surrounded by vertical cliffs hundreds of meters high! Walking on the thrilling suspended plank road, with an abyss beneath your feet and endless mountains shrouded in mist before your eyes, it feels like strolling in the clouds! · 🚗 Transportation Plan (How to get there?) Location: Daxi Town, Wenling City, Taizhou, Zhejiang Province (Note: Navigate to "Wenling Fangshan Scenic Area" or "Fangshan Scenic Area - South Heavenly Gate") 🚗 Highly recommend driving! Most convenient and flexible. Navigation settings: "Wenling Fangshan Scenic Area Ticket Office" or "Fangshan Scenic Area - South Entrance" (main entrance). From Wenzhou direction: Shenhai Expressway -> Wenling West (Daxi) exit -> same as above. From Taizhou city center: City center -> Lu Zetai First-class Road/Coastal Expressway -> Wenling West (Daxi) exit -> same as above. 🅿️ Parking: Large parking lot at the south entrance of the scenic area (paid). 🚌 Public transportation (feasible but a bit troublesome): Take the bullet train/high-speed train to "Wenling Station." At Wenling Station bus stop, take Wenling Bus No. 203 or 204, get off at "Macheyu" stop (about 40-50 minutes). At "Macheyu" stop, transfer to the Wenling direct urban-rural bus to Fangshan (limited schedules! Be sure to check the timetable in advance or ask the driver. About 20 minutes ride). Or take a taxi/ride-hailing from "Macheyu" to Fangshan Scenic Area (about 6 km, 15-20 minutes). ⚠️ Tips: Public transport takes longer and requires transfers; pay attention to the last bus time for the return trip! If time is tight or in a group, it’s recommended to take a taxi directly from Wenling Station (about 30 minutes, cost around 40-60 RMB). · 🥾 Route Planning (What to do? How to go?) Core activities: Reach the "sky plain" summit + challenge the suspended plank road + overlook the lush mountain ranges! 📌 Classic easy loop (about 3-4 hours, suitable for most): Enter and exit from the south entrance Buy tickets at the south entrance: main gate of the scenic area. Hiking trail / sightseeing bus (optional): You can choose to hike up (about 40-60 minutes, gentle slope, shaded by trees) or take the sightseeing bus (save energy, goes near the summit platform, about 10 minutes, extra fee). Arrive at the summit platform - Fangyan Academy: This is the core area with a broad view. Visit Fangyan Academy (learn about geology and culture). Highlight: Suspended plank road! Starting near the academy, walk along the plank road built on the cliff face! This is the essence of Fangshan! Thrilling and stunning views! Take photos along the way 📸 (stay safe!). Queqiao Bridge, Yuanmeng Rock, and other spots: The plank road connects several viewpoints, such as Queqiao (small suspension bridge), Yuanmeng Rock, etc. Yunxiao Temple: An ancient temple on the cliff edge, good for blessings and sightseeing. Return to the south entrance: After circling the summit platform, you can choose to walk back down the same way or take the sightseeing bus down. 📌 Deep hiking route (connecting to Nansongyan, for enthusiasts): Fangshan and Nansongyan Scenic Areas are adjacent and connected (joint ticket available). You can trek from Fangshan to Nansongyan (or vice versa) to experience more pristine forest canyon scenery. This is more challenging (about 5-6 hours hiking), so allow plenty of time and bring enough supplies. (Be sure to check the route and opening status between the two areas in advance). · ⚠️ Pitfall Guide (Tested and effective!) 🎫 Tickets and sightseeing bus: Fangshan tickets are purchased separately but joint tickets with Nansongyan are more cost-effective (if planning to visit both). The sightseeing bus is not mandatory but recommended for going up (especially with elderly or children) to save energy for the summit plank road. Going down can be chosen based on your energy. ⏰ Sightseeing bus operating hours: The bus has fixed operating hours (usually last bus down around 4:30 or 5:00 pm), be sure to confirm in advance! Missing it means walking down. 🚶‍♀️ Plank road safety! The suspended plank road is the highlight but also a risk point! Some sections are narrow with cliffs on the outside! Always walk close to the inner side, hold the handrails, no running or climbing the railings! Those afraid of heights should carefully assess. The plank road is more slippery and dangerous when wet! 🌧️ Weather impact: On foggy days, the summit is a whiteout with no visibility! Rain makes the plank road slippery and dangerous! Check Wenling weather before your trip and choose clear days with good visibility! 🚾 Restrooms: Available at the entrance, summit platform (near Fangyan Academy), and near Yunxiao Temple. No restrooms on the plank road. 🚌 Last bus! If relying on public transport for return, be sure to check and allow enough time for the last bus! Missing it may make getting a taxi difficult. · 🍽️ Food Recommendations (Wenling & Daxi Town) Inside the scenic area: Only simple snack shops, basic needs only. Recommended to eat after descending! Daxi Town (at the foot of the scenic area): Wenling Qiangao: A must-try! The soul breakfast/snack of Wenling! Soft glutinous rice cake skin filled with lots of fillings (fried rice noodles, shredded potatoes, braised pork, eggs, etc.), topped with a ladle of meat broth, super satisfying! (Recommended: old-established Qiangao shops in Daxi Town). 🍜 Mung bean noodles / Mountain powder porridge: Wenling specialty snacks, mung bean noodles are smooth, mountain powder porridge (made from sweet potato starch) can be savory or sweet, worth trying. 🦞 Seafood: Close to the sea, find a well-reviewed seafood stall or restaurant in Daxi Town to try fresh sea fish and shellfish. 🍢 Other snacks: Pickled shrimp, fish balls, steamed rice balls, etc. Wenling city center: More options, about 30-40 minutes by car. · 🏡 Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 Wenling city center: Most recommended! More choices, convenient dining and shopping, also relatively convenient for other attractions (like Changyu Dongtian, Dongxia Beach). High-end: Wenling International Hotel, Wenling Yaoda International Hotel. Cost-effective: All Seasons, Hanting, Home Inn and other chain hotels (choose near Yintai City or shopping centers for convenience). 🏨 Daxi Town: Close to the scenic area (about 10 minutes by car), but fewer choices, generally basic economy hotels or inns. Suitable for visitors who want to enter the mountain very early or leave late. 🏡 Homestays near the scenic area: A few farmhouses/homestays at the foot of Fangshan or nearby villages, quiet environment but limited facilities and dining options. Check reviews carefully. · ⚠️ Important Notes (Key to a pleasant trip) 👟 Wear: Be sure to wear non-slip, durable sports shoes/hiking shoes! Needed for the plank road and some mountain paths. No high heels, slippers, or leather shoes! 🎒 Gear: Backpack (free your hands). Enough drinking water (at least 1-2 bottles), energy snacks (chocolate, nuts, bread). Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses (strong UV at the summit). Raincoat/umbrella (mountain weather changes quickly). Mosquito repellent (many mosquitoes in summer forests). Phone, camera, power bank (too many beautiful scenes to miss). Some cash (signal may be unstable). 💊 Medicine: Band-aids, disinfectant wipes, common medicines (motion sickness, stomach medicine). 🚮 Environmental protection: Respect geological relics and ecology, carry out all trash! 📶 Signal: Most of the summit has signal, but some corners of the plank road may be weak. 👴 👶 Elderly and children: The overall route is easy for those who exercise regularly, but extra care is needed on some plank road sections for elderly and children, hold hands well. The sightseeing bus can greatly save energy. · 💚 Conclusion The beauty of Fangshan lies in its grandeur and danger shaped by hundreds of millions of years of geological movement. When you stand on the flat volcanic plateau, surrounded by cliffs carved like with knives and axes, walking on the suspended plank road, feeling the mountain breeze on your face and clouds rising beneath your feet, you will sincerely admire the wonders of nature.