Ning'an Bohai Folk Culture Park

Ning'an Bohai Folk Culture Park

The Bohai Folk Culture Park is a renowned scenic tourist area newly developed by the people of Bohai in recent years. Shortly after its opening, it gained fame both within and beyond the province. During each tourist season, visitors flock here in an endless stream, and leaders from municipal, provincial, and even central governments have come to visit and inspect.

The Bohai Folk Culture Park is located to the north of the royal palace of the Shangjing Longquanfu, the capital of the Bohai Kingdom during the Tang Dynasty. The main scenic area, Xuanwu Lake, spans 800,000 square meters. Legend has it that this area was originally the royal garden behind the palace; other experts believe it was once a quarry for building materials when the palace was constructed. Excessive extraction of basalt created a large deep pit, which later filled with water from the Hulan River, forming the expansive Xuanwu Lake. Before the Cultural Revolution, Xuanwu Lake was merely a fishing ground, but it was later abandoned, leaving the shore strewn with jagged rocks and overgrown weeds, presenting a desolate scene.

However, in today’s era of reform and opening up, and in this new period of developing a socialist market economy, the descendants of Bohai, under the leadership of the town and city governments and with strong support from insightful members of society, have drawn on the cultural heritage of the ancient Bohai Kingdom. They have vigorously promoted historical and cultural elements, highlighted ethnic customs and local characteristics, and made full use of this uniquely rich natural resource. Viewing tourism development as a rising sun industry, they engaged in repeated research, scientific planning, and meticulous design, adopting a “who builds benefits” approach. This led to a successful path of community-led tourism development. The park broke ground in March 1997, officially opened on June 28 of the same year, and achieved the miracle of planning and construction within 100 days, yielding over ten million yuan in revenue in its first year.

The entrance gate of the Bohai Folk Culture Park is simple and rustic. Above the lintel, the bold and striking characters “Bohai Folk Culture Park,” inscribed by Xu Youfang, Secretary of the Heilongjiang Provincial Party Committee, are fresh and eye-catching. Inside the park, various scenic areas such as the Baishan Western Stockade, Heishui Ancient Fort, Ge Mo Water Village, Shangguan Fishing Village, Royal City Street, Water Curtain Cave, Korean Folk Culture Garden, and Jurchen Courtyard each possess their own unique charm and form distinct layouts. Facing the primitive-style wooden houses built from linden trees, the ancient streets and fortress towers imbued with Tang Dynasty aesthetics, the waterfront complexes adorned with fluttering flags, drawbridges, and warships, as well as the totems displaying the religious beliefs of the Bohai people, you feel as though you’ve traveled through a historical tunnel into the ancient Bohai royal city and the primitive tribes of its early inhabitants. It is impossible to escape the rich folk atmosphere and the profound historical and cultural ambiance.

The park's landscapes are dazzling and fantastical, overwhelming your senses with their variety. The lake spans thousands of acres with crystal-clear waters, dotted with islands. Water pavilions and corridors curve gracefully toward the lake’s center, while pavilions and towers are elegantly constructed and thoughtfully arranged. The lakeside is shaded by lush trees, covered in blooming flowers, and alive with buzzing bees and dancing butterflies. Outside the park, waterwheels turn slowly, and rice paddies stretch as far as the eye can see, presenting a tranquil rural scene. When night falls, the park—both inside and out—is illuminated with sparkling lights that resemble stars, creating a breathtaking view. Leaning on the railing, you’ll find the scenery before you surreal and dreamlike, like a mirage. In this enchanting setting, visitors can’t help but linger, enthralled and captivated.