Fangyan

Overview

About

The Fangyan scenic area in Yongkang, Zhejiang, a Danxia landform, has eight parts, Fangyan Mountain, Wufeng, Nanyan, Shiguliao, Lingshan Lake, the Liu Ying martyrs’ cemetery, Wuzhiyan and Taiping Lake, 92 km² in all. Fangyan Mountain, the main sight, rises 400 m straight from the plain, about 3,000 m round, its walls sheer and its summit almost as broad as its base, like a square pillar holding up the sky, hence the name.

The Flying Bridge plank walk clings to the sheer cliff, perilous in the extreme; at its end a huge rock splits in two, the cliffs facing each other as a gate, the “Heavenly Gate”. The rocks are richly coloured with distinctive layering and clear folds.

On the summit is the Hugong Temple, its incense never failing. Hu Ze, a native of Yongkang in the Northern Song, as vice-minister of works in 1032 won the remission of the poll tax in Quzhou and Wuzhou and so earned the people’s devotion as their protector and bringer of good fortune. A wall by the temple bears Mao Zedong’s remark on him, “in office for a term, a blessing to the place”, answered by the Song emperor Gaozong’s inscription “Heling” at the mountain gate.

It is in the fifth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2004.

Travel tips

Getting there: Fangyan lies east of Yongkang, about 20 km from the town. Take a train to Yongkang from Jinhua or Hangzhou, then a bus or taxi on to Fangyan.

Layout: the park has several areas, including Fangyan Hill, the Wufeng Academy, Shiguliao and Lingshan Lake. Fangyan Hill is where most of the sights are, and many visitors go only there.

Climb: Fangyan has sheer sides, with paths and steps, and the last stretch to the top is steep. At the summit is the Hu Gong shrine, where local people honour Hu Ze.

Cliff path: the Flying Bridge path is built along the rock face, with a drop on one side and a narrow way, and there can be queues when it is busy.

Time: the climb takes about half a day. With the outer sights, Wufeng Academy and Lingshan Lake, allow a full day.

Season: clear days in spring and autumn are best. Summer is hot with the sun on the stone steps, and in winter occasional rain or snow makes the steps slippery.

Where to stay: Yongkang has the most hotels, and there are guesthouses near the park. Most visitors stay in Yongkang.

Nearby: Jinhua's Shuanglong Cave and Hengdian, and Xianju and Xiandu, can be linked in a central Zhejiang route.

Photo credits: Fangyan red-rock hills, Yongkang, Zhejiang: HALUK COMERTEL (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons)

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