Dabingou Forest Park

Dabingou Forest Park

“The sunlit Censer Peak exhales incenselike cloud; / Like an upended stream the cataract sounds loud. / Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet from high / As if the Silver River fell from the blue sky.” These timeless verses were penned by the great poet Li Bai as he described the breathtaking scenery of Mount Lu. Though written about Mount Lu, they seem equally fitting as praise for the Dabingou Waterfall. This newly discovered gem, hidden within a pristine forest and long kept “in its boudoir,” is akin to a peerless beauty who has captivated all who have laid eyes on her.

Some say calling this place a “miniature Lushan Waterfall” is no exaggeration. Those who have seen the Huangguoshu Waterfall liken Dabingou to a smaller version of it. Thanks to its well-preserved vegetation and favorable microclimate, Dabingou thrives. Dense primeval forests nurture these alpine streams, creating gurgling waterfalls that cascade dramatically over dozens of meters. Formed by three tiers, the waterfall boasts a grand total drop of nearly 100 meters. In times of abundant rainfall, its width spans over 10 meters, while in the dry season, it still measures more than 2 meters. The spray tossed into the air by the cascading water resembles flying snow or thick mist, which refracts the midday sunlight into a dazzling rainbow—this is the Dabingou Waterfall. Like a bottle of “Moutai” aged for hundreds or even thousands of years, the moment the cork is popped, the “aroma” wafts out from the alleyway, intoxicating all who come to “taste” it. This is the magical Dabingou Waterfall.

In addition to boasting the city’s largest waterfall cluster, Dabingou Scenic Area also offers many other fairyland-like wonders bestowed by nature, waiting for us to explore.

Within Dabingou Scenic Area lies its highest peak, Yuhuangding (Jade Emperor Summit), standing at 1,181.5 meters above sea level. From the summit, the surrounding landscape unfolds in its entirety: to the west is Yuding Mountain, and to the north are Shuanglong Peak and Tian nv Peak. Gazing into the distance, one can see Fengcheng City, the White Pagoda in Liaoyang, and even the outskirts of Shenyang.

Shuanglong Peak, at 1,164 meters above sea level, is the second highest peak in the scenic area. It earned its name due to its undulating ridges, which resemble two dragons rearing their heads.

Yitongbei (One-Bucket Cup), located to the left of Yuhuangding, rises to 1,111.5 meters above sea level, making it the third highest peak in the area. Named for its resemblance to a wine cup, this formation stands 30 meters tall with a diameter of 10 meters. Filling it would require railcars more than two wagons long—it’s yet another spectacular sight in Dabingou.

Venturing into the heart of Dabingou, visitors are greeted by vast expanses of primeval forest. The forest coverage here reaches 97.8%, home to over 500 species of plants including oak, purple linden, amur cork tree, and michelia figo, as well as more than 50 species of wildlife such as brown bears, wild boars, and Mongolian gazelles. The area also includes a 2,200-acre forest botanical garden, a 643-acre forest science experimental zone, and a 3,600-acre forest and wildlife reserve. This marvel of nature, Dabingou, is a true treasure bestowed upon us by the natural world.

For residents of towering skyscrapers, industrial workers surrounded by the roar of machinery, white-collar professionals hunched over keyboards in government offices, and students buried in their studies at universities—it’s hard to imagine that beyond the cacophony of human noise, car horns, and the din of heavy equipment, there exists such a hidden paradise. There, tucked away like a “well-bred lady,” she wears no makeup yet possesses a beauty so stunning it could “dazzle fish and geese into falling from the sky” and a purity so enchanting it could “outshine the moon and put flowers to shame.” In this untouched “virgin land,” you’ll find towering ancient trees so massive it takes two people to encircle them, and vast carpets of soft, velvety moss. Even in the sweltering heat of July and August, stepping into this leafy canopy, you’re greeted by dappled sunlight filtering through rustling leaves, butterflies and dragonflies dancing over flowers and streams, the crisp, oxygen-rich air gifted by photosynthesis, and the faint fragrance of myriad wildflowers in hues of red, purple, white, and blue. Listen closely to the joyful melodies of mountain streams babbling like liquid jade as they race toward the valley depths, and the heavenly songs of cuckoos echoing through the woods. It’s truly one of life’s most blissful experiences.

When we break free from the clamor of daily life and reconnect with nature, when we open our hearts to converse with the natural world and allow our tense minds to unwind and our weary brains to find rest—remember that Dabingou Scenic Area in Nangou Village, Sishanling Township, Nanfen District, Benxi City, is your trusted Eden. Immersed in this mountainous wilderness brimming with natural charm, you’ll bid farewell to fatigue and find solace for both body and soul.

Nangou Village: Dabingou Scenic Area is located in Nangou Village, Sishanling Subdistrict, Nanfen District. The area features vast primeval forests, with forest coverage reaching 97.8% and over 500 species of plants such as oak, purple linden, amur cork tree, and michelia figo, as well as more than 50 species of wildlife including brown bears, wild boars, and Mongolian gazelles. The climate of Dabingou Scenic Area is unique and cool—even during spring and summer when flowers are in full bloom, ice can still be found here, a truly magical phenomenon. … More details about Nangou Village ++