Xiaopingshan Forest Stream is serene and clear, with a waterfall, stone bridge, and flowing light

As the morning light just spreads over the canopy of Xiaopingshan in Xiamen, step into the depths along the morning dew. Beneath your feet is a soft carpet of fallen leaves; as your hiking shoes crush the leaves, the rustling sound mingles with the earthy, moist scent, making even your breath feel pure. A secret realm is never marked on a map; it is the patches of light filtering through the leaves guiding the way ahead, the chirping of birds gradually fading, replaced by the faint sound of flowing water—that sound starts as a whisper, but the deeper you go, the more it resembles mountain winds playing on strings. Turning past a moss-covered steep slope, the scene suddenly brightens: between the blue-gray rocks, a water channel winds like a silver ribbon. Water splashes against the stone edges, scattering droplets that catch the morning light like scattered diamonds. Further ahead, at the end of the channel, a small waterfall is hidden, water falling from a cliff about three meters high, crashing into the pool below. Mist rises into the air, weaving a fleeting rainbow in the sunlight. Beside the waterfall stands a bluestone slab bridge, its surface polished smooth by time. Faint carvings can be seen on the railings, likely marks left by early mountain villagers. Though the inscriptions are unclear, they add a touch of human warmth to this natural scene. Leaning on the stone bridge railing, pause to admire the waterfall’s grandeur and the gentle flow of the water channel. The wind passes through the forest, carrying moisture that brushes your cheeks, and even the stray hairs at your temples feel the cool dampness. Occasionally, a fallen leaf drifts into the channel, spinning with the current, and when it passes under the stone bridge, it is gently caught in a crevice, as if bidding a brief farewell to the ancient bridge. Closing your eyes to listen, the roar of the waterfall, the babbling of the channel, and the rustling of the forest wind blend together, more comforting than any melody—this is the unique rhythm of Xiaopingshan, harboring a tranquility and grandeur you won’t find in the city. Only when the sunset dyes the cliff a warm orange do you reluctantly turn away. If you want to keep this mountain forest’s tranquility and convenience with you on your journey, consider staying at Jinjiang Pinshang Airport T4 Jimei Aesthetic Village Hotel on your return. The hotel is not far from Xiaopingshan, and the warm light and soft bedding in the rooms can ease your hiking fatigue, letting you fall asleep with memories of the forest, carefully preserving Xiaopingshan’s serenity and magnificence in time.