Drum Hill

Drum Hill, or Gushan Mountain is the most famous and significant scenic area 8 kilometers away from downtown Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China. It is believed to be one of "The Two Matchless Scenic Beauties” in Fujian Province. Also, it has been a Buddhist holy land in Fuzhou for a long time.

Drum Hill is on the northern shores of Min River, covering an area of 48 square kilometers. The main peak of it is 925 meters above sea level. Lots of natural rock formation like a drum can be found at the hilltop. From ancient times, men of letters and celebrities vied to visit the place, writing poems as well as having their inscriptions carved on rocks.

Drum Hill Scenic Area is quite large. But as Buddhist holy land, Yongquan Temple half-way up the hill is a must visit site for tourists. Walk along the stone steps on the hill, it only takes about 1 hour to reach the temple. You need to buy entrance ticket to get into it. What’s more, there are many other attractions and things on the hill for you to explore. More than 20 spots are in the east part of the hill, dozens of views are in the west, about 50 are in the south; and 45 are in the north. Tourists can hike up the mountain; and absorb the stunning landscapes as well as the pristine natural sceneries surrounding the 1,800-meter long trail.
 

Main Attractions to See in Drum Hill

【Ancient Path of the Hill】Over 2000 steps, it is the only way to climb the hill during ancient times. Also, it is the path to get to Yongquan Temple after passing seven pavilions and walking for 3.5 kilometers. Along the way, you can see stone inscriptions here and there; and enjoying the natural wonders with a few small spots of caves as well as a tea plantation.

【Inscriptions on Precipices】
Inscriptions on Precipices features in high cultural values. You can see such inscriptions here and there in the hill of which most are left by celebrities of ancient times. More than 300 inscriptions are scattered in Drum Hill. They are abundant in styles and also content, which contains nearly all styles of ancient Chinese calligraphy. It is really a focus of stone inscriptions in Fujian, which gives abundant information in the research of ancient Chinese calligraphy history.

【Yongquan Temple】
Yongquan Temple, a grand complex, consists of 25 halls in Ming style and Qing style. It is a temple regarded as "a treasure of Buddhist Sutras". It is said that in its best days, there were more than 1500 monks in this temple; and now four huge boilers built in Song Dynasty still can be found in this temple, of which the largest one believed to be "a boiler for 1000 people" that can boil 250 kilograms rice melt with 1000 kilograms water. It is said visiting the temple can help realize your good wishes, which attracts many believer to make there supplication.

【Eighteen Scenes】
The eighteen various vivid scenes of rocks and caves are extremely attractive in Drum Hill. Each scene tells a beautiful story. Several are lively display the pictures of beasts like the Lion Peak or Tiger-suppressed Rock; several are related to well known myths and legends about Avalokitesvara.

【Overlooking Stand】
Here is an ideal spot to have a good view of the whole Fuzhou City; also, it is a well-liked resting place for tourists to enjoy the cool; have a tea after a tired climbing; relax and enjoy authentic farm dishes with native poultry and fresh vegetables.

【White Cloud Cave】
White Cloud Cave lies in the northwest of Drum Hill. As clouds often flying into the cave from a distance look, it has such name. It is famous for precipitous cliffs and steep; clear springs and waterfalls; as well as celebrities' footprints and legend's sites.

【Waterfalls and Ancient Trees】
There are more than 23 spectacular waterfalls in various shapes in Drum Hill. You can enjoy them in a far or near distance, in an upward view or an overlook view. Also, a few various types of ancient trees are another big feature in Drum Hill. More than 1600 trees with an age over 100 years, even over 1000 years, can be found here.

You may choose to touring around the place by hiking or biking. There are winding hilly road. But biking in Drum Hill must be a challenge for your energy. There are a couple of hiking routes, and each of them leads you to the top of the mountain.
 

Travel guide

How to buy tickets

1. On-site Ticket Purchase

You can go directly to the entrance of Gushan Scenic Area or Gushan Temple and purchase tickets at the ticket window. Typically, ticket prices for Gushan vary based on visitor status (e.g., adult, student, senior citizen), and some attractions may offer group discounts.

2. Group Tour Tickets

If you are traveling with a tour group or booked through a travel agency, tickets are usually arranged collectively by the agency. This method saves time and effort, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with local transportation and attractions.

Recommended Routes:

• Classic Full-Day Route (Hiking): Lower Temple → Ancient Hiking Trail (Seven Pavilions + Stone Carvings) → Yongquan Temple (Vegetarian Lunch) → Heshuiyan (Drinking Water Rock) → Eighteen Scenic Spots → Prajna Garden → Fence/Shuttle Bus Downhill; Approximately 4-5 hours.
   
• Less-day/Family Route: Fence/Shuttle Bus Uphill → Yongquan Temple → Baiyunding Rainbow Trail (Hiking, Rest) → Brief Visit to the Eighteen Scenic Spots Fence →/Shuttle Bus Downhill; Approximately 3 hours.
   

Best time to visit 

The best time to visit Gushan Mountain is spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Spring offers moderate temperatures and blooming flowers, perfect for hiking and photography. Autumn boasts pleasant weather, vibrant autumn foliage, and stunning scenery, with fewer tourists offering a more tranquil experience. Winter (December-February) is warm and less crowded, also a peaceful time for travelers who prefer a quiet environment. Summer (June-August) is hot and humid, attracting many tourists and making it less suitable for hiking. Overall, spring and autumn are the ideal times to visit.

How to Get There

• By Metro: Take Metro Line 2 to Gushan Station, Exit B. Walk about 8–10 minutes to the main entrance.
• By Bus: Take routes 29, 36, 69, 70, 107, 302, 303 to Gushan Bus Terminal.
• By Taxi/Car: Navigate to "Gushan Scenic Area." Parking is available at the foot of the mountain.