Yaowang Mountain Scenic Area in Ningbo

Deep inside Ziwei Mountain National Forest Park, just south of downtown Quzhou, lies one of western Zhejiang's most underrated natural escapes: Yaowang Mountain (药王山).

Only about 34 kilometers from Quzhou, the mountain covers roughly 15 square kilometers, with forests accounting for more than 97% of the area. The air is exceptionally fresh, the valleys are filled with streams and waterfalls, and the dense vegetation makes it feel far more remote than its actual distance from the city suggests.

Yaowang Mountain is also a national 4A-level tourist attraction with a fascinating connection to traditional Chinese medicine. According to local legends, Shennong, the legendary Yan Emperor, once gathered medicinal herbs here. Later, famous physicians including Li Shizhen, Bian Que, Hua Tuo, and Sun Simiao are said to have visited or practiced medicine in the area.

Today, traces of this tradition can be found in places such as Shennong Valley and the Residence of the Medicine King.

If you are looking for a quieter hiking destination in Zhejiang combining forest scenery, waterfalls, wildlife, and traditional Chinese medicine culture, Yaowang Mountain is well worth discovering.

Come for the 88-meter-high Mawei Waterfall, watch macaques at Wild Monkey Meadow, and explore the herbal world around the Yaowang Temple.

It is easy to see why locals call this place the “Shennongjia of Jiangnan.”

One Mountain, a Living History of Traditional Chinese Medicine

The name Yaowang Mountain, meaning “Medicine King Mountain,” is closely connected with the mountain's long association with medicinal plants and traditional Chinese medicine.

According to local legend, Shennong once gathered herbs here and left behind sites associated with Shennong Valley and Shennong Alchemy.

Later, legendary physicians such as Li Shizhen, Bian Que, Hua Tuo, and Sun Simiao are said to have collected herbs or lived in the area. The site known as the Residence of the Medicine King is associated with Sun Simiao, one of the most respected physicians in Chinese history.

Historical records also connect Quzhou physicians Liu Guangda and Yang Jizhou with practicing medicine and gathering herbs in this region.

More than 500 species of medicinal plants are found within the scenic area, including over 20 relatively rare varieties. In this sense, the mountain itself can be regarded as a kind of living outdoor museum of Chinese herbal medicine.

Follow the sound of running water through Shennong Valley, explore the plants growing in the Hundred Herbs Garden, and visit Yaowang Temple, where a three-meter-tall statue of Sun Simiao overlooks the visitors below.

You are not simply hiking through a forest—you are walking through a vast open-air herbal garden shaped by centuries of Chinese medical tradition.

Mawei Waterfall: Quzhou's Signature Waterfall

The natural highlight of Yaowang Mountain is undoubtedly Mawei Waterfall (马尾瀑).

The waterfall drops approximately 88 meters and is around 7 meters wide. Its name, literally meaning “Horse-Tail Waterfall,” comes from its resemblance to a white horse's tail cascading down the cliff.

It is widely known as “Quzhou's No. 1 Waterfall” and is also nicknamed “Rainbow Falling from the Ninth Heaven.”

The waterfall changes character throughout the day.

In the morning, fine mist often hangs around the falls.

Around midday, sunlight can create rainbows in the spray.

Toward evening, the falling water can take on a warm orange glow as it catches the setting sun.

From the wooden viewing areas halfway up the mountain, cool spray reaches your face as the waterfall plunges into the valley below.

A section known as the Rain Curtain Corridor leads toward a secluded cave, creating the feeling of entering a hidden mountain realm.

Here, you hardly need to search for the perfect photographic angle.

The waterfall itself is the picture.

Wild Monkey Meadow and the Glass Sky Bridge

Yaowang Mountain offers more than waterfalls and medicinal plants.

Wild Monkey Meadow

About 800 meters uphill from the Yaowang Temple, along a forest trail, lies Wild Monkey Meadow.

Dozens of macaques live in the surrounding forest and can often be seen jumping between trees, moving along the paths, or interacting with one another.

For visitors, it can be fascinating to observe their behavior at relatively close range.

But remember that these are wild animals.

Do not feed the monkeys, and keep food, drinks, and water bottles securely stored. Macaques are remarkably quick when they spot something they want.

The Glass Sky Bridge

For a completely different kind of experience, head to the Glass Sky Bridge.

Suspended between two mountains, the bridge stretches approximately 180 meters and sits around 120 meters above the ground.

Its walkway consists of three layers of tempered glass, creating the sensation of walking directly above the valley.

The bridge can move slightly beneath your feet, adding another dose of adrenaline.

On clear mornings, clouds may gather below the bridge. Standing on the transparent walkway with mountains and sky ahead and a sea of clouds beneath your feet makes for one of the most dramatic experiences in Yaowang Mountain.

Yaowang Mountain Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

May–June is an excellent time to visit if you want to see Mawei Waterfall at its most powerful, as mountain streams are generally well supplied with water.

September–October brings cooler weather and lush forests, making it one of the most comfortable periods for hiking.

Winter has its own charm. When temperatures fall low enough, spray from Mawei Waterfall can freeze into icicles, creating an unusual contrast between frozen formations and flowing water.

Opening Hours

• Daily: 08:30–16:30
• Last admission: 16:30

Tickets

According to the current seasonal policy provided, the main entrance ticket is free from November 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

During the normal ticketing period:

• Main entrance: approximately RMB 65
• Students: around 50% off
• Glass Sky Bridge + glass slide package: approximately RMB 126
• Current seasonal package: approximately RMB 79 per person
• Sightseeing shuttle: around RMB 15 one way

The shuttle can be useful for visitors with limited stamina.

Ticket policies and attraction packages may change, so check the latest local arrangements before traveling.

How Long to Spend

Allow around 3–4 hours.

The classic circular route is approximately 8 kilometers, with a hiking difficulty of around 2 out of 5, making it suitable for most reasonably fit first-time hikers.

How to Get There

By bus — most economical

Take Bus 545 from the Quzhou Tourist Transportation Center directly to Yaowang Mountain Station.

• Fare: around RMB 2
• Journey: approximately 60 minutes
• First bus: around 06:30
• Last bus: around 17:10
• Frequency: roughly every 30–50 minutes

Pay particular attention to the last return bus and plan your hike accordingly.

By taxi or ride-sharing

From Quzhou Railway Station, the journey takes approximately 40 minutes.

A taxi generally costs around RMB 80–100, making a shared ride a good option for two or more travelers.

By car

Search for “Quzhou Yaowang Mountain” on your navigation app.

Parking at the main entrance is approximately RMB 10 per day.

Recommended Hiking Route

For a classic route covering the major highlights, follow:

Scenic Area Entrance
→ Shennong Pool
→ Hundred Herbs Garden
→ Mawei Waterfall
→ Yaowang Temple & Hundred Medicines Platform
→ Wild Monkey Meadow
→ Glass Sky Bridge
→ Glass Slide
→ Return

Allow around 3 hours for the core route, or longer if you want plenty of time for photography and wildlife watching.

Photography Tips

Mawei Waterfall

Use a slow shutter speed to turn the falling water into a smooth, silky ribbon.

Early morning is particularly atmospheric, when sunlight passes through the mist around the waterfall.

Glass Sky Bridge

Try a low-angle composition with blue sky and green mountains behind the bridge to emphasize its height.

If clouds are present below the bridge, the result can be especially dramatic.

Forest Trails

The shaded trails, bamboo, streams, and medicinal plants offer plenty of opportunities for more natural photographs away from the major viewpoints.

What to Bring

Yaowang Mountain is a forest and mountain destination, so practical footwear matters more than fashionable gear.

• Non-slip hiking shoes — the most important item
• A light jacket — temperatures can be several degrees lower than in downtown Quzhou
• Sufficient drinking water
• Energy snacks
• Sunscreen during sunny periods
• Insect repellent during warmer months

Some sections of the valley trail can remain damp and slippery.

After rain, slow down on the stone and wooden paths and take extra care around waterfalls.

Also remember to keep food and water securely stored around Wild Monkey Meadow.

Taste Yaowang Mountain: Herbal Cuisine and Local Flavors

After hiking, try some of the local herbal dishes associated with the mountain.

Yaowang Leisure Mountain Villa is a recommended local restaurant and provincial-level experiential store. Its specialties include:

• Huangjing Yaowang Chicken Soup
• Herbal Free-Range Chicken Pot
• Pig's Trotter with Herbal “Embroidery Needle”

The restaurant uses locally sourced medicinal herbs, and meals generally cost around RMB 50–70 per person.

Near the scenic area entrance, local vendors may also sell bamboo-tube rice and wild vegetable pancakes, which make convenient snacks before or after your hike.

Back in Quzhou city, save some appetite for the city's famous “Three Heads and One Palm” (三头一掌): spicy rabbit head, duck head, fish head, and duck feet.

These dishes are braised until tender and packed with fiery flavor. Pair them with a bowl of plain rice porridge or a cold drink to balance the heat.

Along Zhongheyan, look for freshly baked shaobing (烤饼). These crispy flatbreads cost around RMB 5 each and are typically filled with fragrant, savory ingredients.

More Places to Explore Around Yaowang Mountain

Yaowang Mountain sits within the core area of Ziwei Mountain National Forest Park, making it easy to combine with several nearby attractions.

Tianji Longmen Scenic Area

Tianji Longmen (天脊龙门) is known for its dramatic mountain valleys and unusual volcanic-rock landscapes.

It is a good choice for travelers who want to continue exploring the geological and natural side of southern Zhejiang.

Jiulong Lake

Jiulong Lake Leisure Resort (九龙湖休闲度假区) combines mountain scenery with peaceful lake landscapes.

It is a relaxing complement to a more active day of hiking at Yaowang Mountain.

Ziwei Xinggu

Ziwei Xinggu (紫微星谷) is another forest-based attraction near Yaowang Mountain, with a reported forest coverage rate of around 98%.

Its proximity makes it convenient to combine several mountain attractions in a single day.

Mount Lanke

If you prefer cultural experiences, consider combining Yaowang Mountain with Mount Lanke (烂柯山).

Mount Lanke is closely associated with the origins of Go (Weiqi) culture in China. The famous Lanke Stone House and various Go-themed landscapes provide a completely different experience from the forests and waterfalls of Yaowang Mountain.

After returning to Quzhou, spend the evening around Shuiting Gate for the illuminated old-city scenery, followed by a spicy local dinner around Mazhandi.

Why Visit Yaowang Mountain?

From the first medicinal herb supposedly gathered by Shennong to the stories surrounding Sun Simiao and the Medicine King's Residence, Yaowang Mountain has woven traditional medicine into its mountain landscape for centuries.

The 88-meter Mawei Waterfall fills the valley with cool mist.

Macaques leap through the trees at Wild Monkey Meadow.

Hundreds of medicinal plant species grow throughout the forest.

And from the glass sky bridge, the mountains suddenly drop away beneath your feet.

Yaowang Mountain brings together traditional medicine, dense forests, waterfalls, streams, wildlife, and outdoor adventure in one remarkably compact destination.

With more than 97% forest coverage and more than 500 species of medicinal plants, it is easy to understand why the mountain has earned the nickname “Shennongjia of Jiangnan.”

If you are searching for a quieter hiking destination in Zhejiang where nature and Chinese medical heritage meet, Yaowang Mountain is an excellent choice.

Here, the waterfall feels like Shennong's mountain rain, the medicinal plants are part of the forest's breath, and every trail seems to carry the footsteps of physicians who came here centuries ago.

Come to Yaowang Mountain, slow down beneath the forest canopy, listen to the waterfalls, and discover one of western Zhejiang's most fascinating hidden mountain landscapes.