Guling Scenic Area (鼓岭, Drum Ridge Scenic Area), located about 13 kilometers from downtown Fuzhou, is a renowned summer resort in Gushan Mountain. Established in 1886 by Western missionaries, Guling sits at an elevation of over 800 meters, where summer temperatures rarely exceed 30°C. This cooler climate has historically attracted many Westerners seeking refuge from Fuzhou’s intense summer heat. By 1935, Guling boasted over 200 distinctive summer villas, along with various public amenities such as churches, hospitals, tennis courts, swimming pools, and a multinational public welfare club.
Guling also holds significant prominence among Christians in the Far East. Following the outbreak of the Pacific War, Watchman Nee purchased several missionary villas here and established the “Home of the Deacons.” In 1948 and 1949, Guling hosted two influential national co-worker training sessions, further cementing its religious importance. Many local villagers are Christians, reflecting the area’s deep-rooted Christian heritage.
Additionally, Guling is home to one of China’s earliest summer post offices. Opened on June 16, 1902, the Guling Summer Post Office operated seasonally from the Dragon Boat Festival until the Mid-Autumn Festival, making it one of the five summer post offices in the country at that time. This historical post office underscores Guling’s significance not only as a summer retreat but also as a hub for communication and community during the early 20th century.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Guling Scenic Area
- Recommended Hiking Routes
- Other Attractions in Fuzhou Suburbs
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 3 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0591-83669008 |
Location and Transportation
Guling Scenic Area is located in Jin’an District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, near Yongquan Temple. To get there, you can take bus 170 and get off at Guling Ancient Path Stop (鼓岭古道站).
Highlights of Guling Scenic Area
Historic Villas
The old villas of Guling are a testament to the area’s history as a summer haven for foreigners. In 1886, a foreign pastor named Mr. Nies built the first summer villa in Guling, inspiring others to follow suit. By the 25th year of the Guangxu era (1899), there were already 80 villas. Although a typhoon in that same year destroyed many of these structures, only 12 remained. However, the community quickly rebuilt, and by 1935, the area boasted 366 uniquely designed villas, earning Guling the nickname “Little Lushan by the Zuohai Lake.” This made Guling one of China’s earliest foreign holiday resorts.
One of the most notable villas is the Yixia Villa, located in Yixia Village, Guling Township. It is the oldest and best-preserved villa in the area. Constructed from stone, the villa is approximately 25 meters long and 35 meters wide. Recent renovations have repaired the cracks between the stones with white lime, and the interior has been repainted, preserving the villa’s historic charm. The villa comprises more than ten large rooms and currently serves as the Guling Photography Exhibition Hall.
Universal Benevolent Society
The Universal Benevolent Society is another significant landmark in Guling. Known as Fuzhou’s first clubhouse, this historic stone building has a storied past. Despite its age, the structure still retains its unique Bohemian character, with walls built from stones of various colors: blue, black, and white. After undergoing some restoration, it now functions as a senior citizens’ center, providing a space for the elderly to socialize and enjoy leisure activities.
The Society was originally a Western-style club with comprehensive facilities, including a ballroom, dressing rooms, and changing rooms. It also established Guling’s first hospital for expatriates, which later became Guling Health Center. However, the club’s prominence dwindled in the 1950s as foreigners gradually returned to their home countries, leaving the club less frequented. At its peak, the Society also featured seven tennis courts, which have since fallen into disuse and been repurposed as vegetable gardens.
Shizhushan (Stone Pillar Mountain)
Shizhushan, also known as Stone Pillar Mountain, is one of the prominent highlights of Guling Scenic Area. From Yixia Village in Guling, you can take the cement road on the right side of Liushanwang Park, passing by a water reservoir and forest trails to reach this newly developed scenic spot.
At Shizhushan, there is a large protruding rock known as “Guangritai” or “Sun Viewing Platform.” This spot offers a panoramic view of Stone Pillar Mountain. To the east, you can see the Baimei Reservoir and the distant Minjiang River Estuary. It is an excellent location for watching the sunrise, where the sky lights up with vibrant colors in the early morning.
From the Sun Viewing Platform, a path leads to “Huangdi Dian Jiangshan” or “Emperor’s River Viewing Point,” a rocky platform offering expansive views of the surrounding mountains and waters. On misty days, the peaks appear to float in the clouds, reminiscent of the mystical landscapes of Huangshan Mountain.
Panda Villa
Panda Villa is another charming highlight of Guling Scenic Area. Every year from July to September, the Fuzhou Giant Panda Research and Exchange Center relocates some of its pandas from the Fuzhou Panda World to the Guling Panda Villa for summer vacation. Due to Guling’s high elevation and cool climate, it provides an ideal retreat for the pandas. The area is surrounded by lush bamboo forests, offering ample food and a natural environment for the pandas to enjoy.
Recommended Hiking Routes
1. Guling to Shizhushan
Start your hike from the Guling Summer Resort. Follow the road beside Liushanwang Park, then take the tractor road to a small reservoir. From there, turn right (east) and follow the trail to the Shizhushan scenic spots, including Guangritai (Sun Viewing Platform), Huangdi Dian Jiangshan (Emperor’s River Viewing Point), and Gaoseng Wang Jiang (Monk’s River Viewing Point). Continue downhill through Shizhu Zhengrong (Majestic Stone Pillar) and reach Nanyang Village. Descend further along the ancient path to Dongshan.
2. Guling to Min’an Town
Start from Yixia Village in Guling. Hike along the road to Niutouzhai, an ancient fort built by Qi Jiguang and now a new scenic spot. Descend through Nanyang Village and Lin Guofang, crossing the mountains to Baimei Reservoir. Continue through Baimei Village until you reach Min’an Town.
3. Guling to Moxi
Begin your journey from Guling Summer Resort, heading east. Descend via a quarry trail, passing through forests and bamboo groves. Follow Moxi down the mountain, passing through orchards and a watermill, eventually reaching Longmen Village.
4. Guling to Old Gushan
Head east from Guling Summer Resort, passing the Agricultural Grand View Garden, which features cliff inscriptions by famous figures like Yang Shangkun. Follow the road to Fengchi and Old Gushan. Descend from Baiyun Cave to Buxing Village.
5. Guling to She Mountain
From Guling, take the road north to the Agricultural Grand View Garden. Then follow the county road from the Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial side path. Descend through She Mountain, observing the She Mountain Waterfall and the Huanyuan Pavilion. Continue down to Dengyun Reservoir and Dengyun Village.
6. Guling to Chongfu Temple
From Guling, head north along the road. Pass through Ending Tea Plantation and Ebi Village. Traverse the mountain path to Chongfu Temple and end your hike at Huashu No. 2 Factory.
7. Guling to Jianghuzhai
Head north from Guling along the road, passing through Ending Tea Plantation and Huanxi Town. Climb the ancient path to Jianghuzhai, a fort built by Qi Jiguang with steep terrain and stunning views. Descend to Lianjiang Pandu and return to Fuzhou via the highway.
8. Guling to Xindian
Head north from Guling through Ending and Huanxi, descending through Fuzhou National Forest Park to Xindian.
