Getting Around Fuding
Fuding is a county-level city in northeastern Ningde, Fujian Province, sitting right on the border with Zhejiang. It's a mountainous place with a good deal of seacoast, and its towns and scenic spots are spread out enough that you'll want to think about transport before you arrive. The good news is that the city is well connected by high-speed rail and has a workable local bus network, plus plenty of rental bikes for short hops.
Arriving by Train
Fuding railway station is your most likely entry point. The city sits on the main fast train line from Fuzhou to Shanghai, though not all trains stop there, so check schedules when booking. The Wenfu and Yongtaiwen High Speed Railways put Fuding roughly 1.5 hours from Fuzhou, about 30 minutes from Wenzhou, and around 5 hours from Shanghai. Fuding's train station also provides services to all parts of the country, with both short-distance and long-distance trains, including services to Beijing and Shanghai.
Arriving by Car or Bus
The main road, No. 104, passes through Fuding City, making it accessible by car from both the Fujian and Zhejiang sides. If you arrive by long-distance bus, Fuding has two main terminals:
- Fuding South Bus Station (福鼎汽车南站), No. 399, Tianhu South Rd — phone +86 593-7973915.
- Fuding North Bus Station (福鼎汽车北站), Hongbin Road — toll-free +86 5937855907.
Getting Around by City Bus
Buses within Fuding cost ¥1–2 and are very useful once you've figured out which bus goes where. Prices are marked on the outside of the bus and on the bus stop sign, and the sign also lists the stops on one side and a map on the other — a genuinely helpful feature you won't find in Beijing or Shanghai.
Useful routes to know:
- No. 7 bus (¥2) — runs between the train station and the South Bus Station, handy for connections.
- Buses No. 1, 2, 6 and other city buses — pass through the old city, commercial district and cultural district. The alleys, historical buildings and local life atmosphere of the old city are worth visiting.
- No. 9 bus — runs from the city center to Taimu Mountain Scenic Area, passing through villages and fields. The scenery along the way is very beautiful and especially suitable for sightseeing.
Getting Around by Bicycle
Renting a bike is a great way to get around the city. There are many bike parking spots and good quality public bikes around Fuding, and the bike paths are relatively good, so you can ride safely. The fee is ¥2 for ten minutes. You can ride for 24 hours, but you must park the bike you are riding at any bike parking spot every 2 hours and borrow it again. There is also a smartphone app (for iOS and Android) that allows you to easily find the nearest bike parking spot.
Taxis
Taxis are ¥11 for the first 4 km and ¥1 for each 500 m thereafter. After 23:30, prices rise to ¥12 plus a ¥2 gas charge for the first 4 km, then ¥1 for each 500 m thereafter.
A few practical warnings for visitors:
- If you are outside the centre of the city, or in the centre trying to get elsewhere, you will not be able to catch a taxi between 16:30 and 18:00 because of the driver shift change.
- If you are taking a longer-distance ride or travelling during rush hour, expect to "share" your taxi ride with others going to the same section of the city, and pay more — about ¥15 plus ¥2 tax for longer rides.
- Watch out for prices charged by taxi drivers "off the meter" and negotiate the price if it is raining or during rush hour, prior to your ride. Do not allow them to charge you over ¥12.
Walkability
The old city is the most rewarding area on foot, with its alleys, historical buildings and local life atmosphere. Beyond the compact centre, the city is spread out and mountainous, so walking works best for exploring the old city and commercial districts rather than for covering ground between distant towns or scenic areas.
Ferries and Island Trips
Fuding has a deep sea port at Shacheng, which enables large ships to come in and supports trade and economic activity. A ferry service operates across Shacheng Bay, connecting the somewhat isolated town of Shacheng to the Long'an Development Area, which is the port for Dianxia Town.
For sightseeing, Yushan Island is a beautiful island in the waters of Fuding City, famous for its unique natural scenery — especially freshwater lakes and pastures, a combination known as the "Marine Wonderland." You can take a cruise ship from Shacheng Port to Yushan Island; the journey takes about 40 minutes. Cruise ships usually operate in the morning, with return ships usually in the afternoon, though the specific time needs to be adjusted according to the weather and tidal conditions of the day. Ticket prices vary according to season and boat type, and round trip fares are usually between ¥50–100.
Airport Access
Fuding does not currently have its own airport. Taimu International Airport is under construction for the future, and once built it will make Fuding more and more open to the outside world. For now, visitors should plan to arrive via the high-speed rail network or by road, using the connections described above.
Practical Summary
- Best arrival mode: high-speed rail to Fuding railway station, then the No. 7 bus to the South Bus Station or local buses into town.
- Cheapest local option: city buses at ¥1–2, with clear pricing and route maps posted at stops.
- Most flexible short-hop option: public rental bikes at ¥2 per ten minutes, with the two-hour re-parking rule in mind.
- Taxi caveats: avoid the 16:30–18:00 shift-change window, expect shared rides at peak times, and insist on the meter.
- Day trips: No. 9 bus for Taimu Mountain; cruise from Shacheng Port for Yushan Island.