Guanzhi Mountain National Geopark

Guanzhi Mountain National Geopark in Liancheng County is a landscape of granite formations, clear lakes, and Buddhist cave temples that most foreign visitors to Fujian never reach. The centrepiece is Guanzhi Lake — a large reservoir ringed by eroded granite peaks and green slopes — best explored by boat or on the trails that follow the shoreline. The Qingliangshan scenic area within the park has dense forest and a series of temples built into rock outcroppings.

Liancheng County is about 70 kilometres north of Longyan city. The journey takes 90 minutes by bus from the long-distance bus station. The geopark is large enough to justify a full day, and simple accommodation is available in Liancheng town for those who want an early start. The area is cooler than the coast in summer and can be foggy in winter, which adds atmosphere if it limits visibility.

things to do sight
A story
Guanzhi Mountain is often called "the Guilin of Fujian" — a comparison that does the place no favours, since the landscape here is entirely different: granite peaks rather than karst towers, a large reservoir instead of the Li River, and none of the tourist infrastructure that now clogs Guilin. The geopark attracts almost exclusively domestic visitors, which means the trails are maintained but the signage is Chinese-only. A local guide or a Chinese companion transforms a confusing ramble into a genuine mountain day.