Bingbaling Mountain Forest Park

Bingbaling Mountain Forest Park

Bingbaling Mountain Forest Park is a national-level forest park.

Bingbaling Mountain Forest Park is located within Xifeng County, Tieling City, covering a total area of over 2,200 hectares. Its highest peak stands at an elevation of 870.2 meters, and the forest coverage rate reaches 96%. The park experiences minimal radiation, significant temperature variation, low wind speed, and air negative ion levels that are 3 to 5 times higher than in urban areas. Bingbaling Mountain was once the core area of the forbidden "Shengjing Hunting Grounds" in the early Qing Dynasty and is the birthplace of China’s artificial sika deer domestication.

According to historical records, in the early Qing Dynasty, Nurhaci, the founding emperor of the Qing Dynasty, after conquering the Hulun, Jianzhou, and most of the Jurchen tribes, decided to seal off areas including Xifeng, Dongfeng, and Dongliao to establish a large hunting ground as a military training base in order to protect his territory. Later, when Hong Taiji entered the Central Plains and established the capital in Beijing, the hunting grounds were named the "Shengjing Hunting Grounds" and remained sealed for 277 years. During the sealed period, emperors such as Kangxi, Yongzheng, Qianlong, Jiaqing, and Daoguang of the Qing Dynasty all led troops to the hunting grounds for hunting and military drills. Empress Dowager Cixi also established a "Royal Deer Park" here, which promoted the continuous development of the deer farming industry.

　 Nearly the entire Bingbaling Mountain Forest Park is covered in forest, and the ecological vegetation within the park largely remains in its pristine natural state. Among the vast forests, the most spectacular sight is the larch trees, which rise straight and tall as if sculpted by human hands; the oldest are ancient elm and oak trees, several hundred years old, with lush branches and dense canopies that evoke a sense of timelessness. Bingbaling Mountain gets its name from the rocks, and the unique rock formations are one of its major features. Within the mountain, there are formations such as General Rock, Lion Guarding the Pass Rock, Reclining Dragon Rock, Golden Turtle Rock, and Mother and Baby Penguin Rock. In the valleys, there are clear streams with murmuring waters, the taste of which is sweet and refreshing, like chilled mineral water. Halfway up the mountain, Bing Shan Lake reflects the surrounding mountain hues with its rippling blue waters, offering opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. At the foot of the mountain, the Jude Reservoir boasts lush grass and beautiful waters, with fish swimming near the surface. From the mountaintop, visitors can witness spectacular astronomical phenomena. It is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise and sea of clouds in the morning, and admire the sunset and evening glow. The scenery of Bingbaling Mountain changes unpredictably with the seasons, offering beautiful views in spring, summer, autumn, and winter alike. Currently, while preserving the ecological environment and natural landscape, plans are underway to develop new highlights, including adding over ten attractions such as waterside pavilions, fishing platforms, and the Guanyin Temple, as well as constructing recreational facilities such as a hunting ground, forest bathing area, cable car, forest summer resort, and ice and snow world.

　 The former "Shengjing Hunting Grounds" and today’s Bingbaling Mountain Forest Park will serve as a great classroom for fostering people’s awareness of green conservation, as well as a paradise for leisure, entertainment, and spiritual cultivation.