Nanlou Mountain Scenic Area

Nanlou Mountain Scenic Area

Nanlou Mountain Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Nanlou Mountain is the highest peak in Jilin City, located east of the city, covering a total area of 4,112 hectares. It is a developed forest scenic area, primarily known for its unique rocks, gullies, streams, and springs. The area’s main attractions include steep peaks, strange stones, streams, springs, and forests. The scenic spots are relatively concentrated, offering picturesque landscapes, and it benefits from a favorable location: it borders the world-famous Beidahu Ski Resort to the north, which can be reached by crossing a ridge, and lies adjacent to the Ji-Hua Highway to the west, ensuring easy transportation. The highest peak, Nanlou Mountain, rises 1,405 meters above sea level, making it the tallest in the Jilin area. It belongs to the Zhangguangcai Mountain Range of the Changbai Mountain system and is renowned for its peculiar rocks, unusual trees, sea of clouds, and waterfalls (including winter icefalls). The area is also rich in flora and fauna, with 147 plant families and 1,073 species, 6 orders, 13 families, and 35 species of mammals, 17 orders, 45 families, and 202 species of birds, 15 families and 48 species of fish, 1 order, 3 families, and 8 species of amphibians, 2 orders, 4 families, and 11 species of reptiles, and 386 species of insects.

The area’s primary attractions include steep peaks, peculiar rocks, streams, springs, and forests. The scenic spots are relatively concentrated, offering beautiful views, and it has excellent geographical advantages: it neighbors the well-known Beidahu Ski Resort to the north, which can be reached by crossing a ridge, and lies close to the Ji-Hua Highway to the west, providing convenient access. The highest peak, Nanlou Mountain, stands at 1,405 meters, making it the tallest in the Jilin region and part of the Zhangguangcai Mountain Range of the Changbai Mountains. It is famous for its unique rocks, strange trees, sea of clouds, and waterfalls (especially the winter icefalls). The area also boasts abundant wildlife, including 147 plant families and 1,073 species, 6 orders, 13 families, and 35 species of mammals, 17 orders, 45 families, and 202 species of birds, 15 families and 48 species of fish, 1 order, 3 families, and 8 species of amphibians, 2 orders, 4 families, and 11 species of reptiles, and 386 species of insects.

Major Attractions

1. Turtles Playing in Water: Located along one of the upstream tributaries of Nanlou Mountain, this spot features winding streams with large clusters of oddly shaped rocks scattered on both sides of the creek and in the water, resembling turtles that appear to be moving yet remain still.

2. Human Face Rock: Situated upstream on Nanlou Mountain, this rock formation has been eroded by years of wind and rain, resulting in a side profile resembling a human face with a broad forehead and pointed chin. The outline is distinct, the expression resolute, and the resemblance striking.

3. Phoenix Tail Waterfall: This is the highlight of the Nanlou Mountain Scenic Area. With a single-drop height of 17 meters and an overall drop of up to 56 meters, the waterfall spans 24 meters and features a multi-tiered cascade. The roaring sound of the water is so loud that voices cannot be heard from even ten meters away, reaching nearly 100 decibels. The water cascades down a 60-degree rock face, thin streams flowing like wispy strands of hair swaying in the wind, while the splashes at the bottom scatter across the emerald-green rocks. Surrounded by lush green grass and century-old trees covered in moss and lichen, the area resembles an exquisite Jiangnan-style garden. The lower section of the Phoenix Tail Waterfall is dotted with streams, shrouded in mist, appearing and disappearing intermittently with faint views of terraced fields, adding an air of mystery and excitement. It serves as a source of inspiration for painters and poets, as well as a paradise for adventurers and rafting enthusiasts.

4. Dragon Soaring Stream: This stream meanders gently down from the Phoenix Waterfall of Nanlou Mountain, spreading out in a web-like pattern. At times it resembles a thin strand of silk floating above a perilous mountain gorge, and at other times like a delicate mist hovering over a smooth riverbed. The stream flows through a channel that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom, producing a pleasant, rhythmic gurgling sound as the water tumbles down. The melodious dripping sound is refreshing and soothing. The stream appears and disappears along the ground, cascading down in layers, singing all the way.

5. One Page of Heavenly Scripture: Located in the middle reaches of Nanlou Mountain, on the left side of the hiking trail, there is a massive rock approximately 7 meters long and 5 meters high. The side facing the trail is relatively flat, with patches of moss and lichen intertwined with natural cracks, resembling a page of unwritten heavenly scripture.

6. Nanlou Mountain is also the highest peak in Jilin City, standing at an elevation of 1,404.8 meters. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers. To the south lies the scenic area described above, while to the north is the Beidahu Ski Resort. In winter, it becomes a paradise for skiing enthusiasts. The high altitude results in heavy snowfall, and waist-deep snow in winter poses a challenge for hikers. The mountaintop is adorned with stunning rime ice, creating a silvery white world. The rime-covered pine trees are a iconic winter sight in the northeast, distinct from the riverside rime formations.