The name of Dahongpao Scenic Area originates from the Dahongpao mother tree within the area. Currently, only a few Dahongpao mother trees remain, making them extremely precious. Dahongpao, known as the top scholar among Wuyi Rock teas, grows in the Jiulongke region in the northern part of Mount Wuyi.
The main attractions within the scenic area include Niulan Pit, Yongle Zen Temple, Dahongpao, Sanhua Peak, Leishi Rock, Matou Rock, Wuyuan Cave, and Du Xian Rock. The primary focus is on visiting the Tianxin Yongle Zen Temple and the legendary divine tea, Dahongpao. To see the Dahongpao mother tree, one must walk a path, with cliffs on the left and tea gardens on the right. Rows upon rows of various types of tea are present, all of which are rock teas, with Dahongpao being one of them. It is an excellent opportunity to learn about the origin and varieties of Wuyi Rock tea and to gain knowledge.
The mother tree is located on a rock wall and no longer produces tea; its previous yield was also very limited. If you wish to purchase some regular Dahongpao tea leaves, you can do so in the adjacent rest area, where the Dahongpao tea bags are very popular and the business is thriving. They also claim to sell tea eggs boiled with Dahongpao tea leaves.
Apart from the Dahongpao mother tree, another must-see point in the scenic area is the Yongle Zen Temple. The architecture of Yongle Zen Temple is very grand. The temple complex, along the central axis, includes the Maitreya Hall, Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Guanyin Hall, Dharma Hall, Treasury, Dining Hall, Chan Hall, Guest Hall, and Incense Burner Building, among other structures.The towers are majestic and, under the cover of trees, appear profound and elegant, making it a place to stroll at leisure.
The entire area is open year-round from 07:00 to 17:00. A must-see tip: The path from Dahongpao Scenic Area to Shui Lian Dong Scenic Area is very beautiful, and it is recommended to walk it if you have time; the path is flat and not tiring.
