【Jiangxi】Sanqing Mountain​

Sanqing Mountain straddles Yushan and Dexing counties in Shangrao. Its name derives from three peaks—Yujing, Yuxu, and Yuhua—resembling the Taoist trinity (Jade Pure, Upper Pure, and Grand Pure) seated atop the summit. As a Taoist sacred site and UNESCO Natural Heritage, its 1.4 billion years of geological evolution forged unique granite forests, home to 1,600+ plant species and rare animals like clouded leopards. The must-see Nanqingyuan Scenic Area features "Goddess of the East," a rock pinnacle shaped like a maiden, and "Python Emerging from the Mountain," a 128-meter granite pillar mimicking a soaring serpent. The 4-km-high West Coast Trail clings to cliffs at 1,600m, offering unmatched cloud-sea views. Sanqinggong Temple preserves Ming Dynasty Taoist complexes, including the Bagua-designed Yanjiao Hall.

Entry costs 150 yuan (Feb-Dec) or 130 yuan off-season; the Jinsha Cableway is 65 yuan one-way. Reach it via bullet train to Shangrao Station, then transfer to a shuttle bus (hourly from 6:30 am). 

Tip: 

① Opt for a 2-day itinerary: Day 1 hike Nanqingyuan and West Coast, stay overnight at Rishang Hotel for sunrise; 

② Food is pricey—pack energy bars; 

③ Wear anti-slip shoes on high trails; 

④ October-November has the most reliable cloud seas.