Suyang Plain Forest

Suyang Plain Forest

A sea of poplar trees and an ecological haven.

The Suyang Plain Forest Scenic Area, a national agricultural tourism demonstration site, spans the Suyang Farm, Linhe Town, and Xingxing Town, nestled along the ancient Yellow River and the Grand Canal. Here, vast poplar forests stretch as far as the eye can see, blending seamlessly with water bodies, creating a pristine and serene ecological environment. The scenic area features a self-drive sightseeing route approximately 14.8 kilometers long that runs through the interior of the park, presenting an “1124 layout”: one museum—the China Poplar Museum; one festival—the China Poplar Forest Culture Tourism Festival; two routes—the self-drive tour route and the ancient Yellow River water tour route; and four zones—poplar forest culture tourism, forest leisure sightseeing, forest vacationing, and sightseeing agriculture.

In recent years, Suyang County has used the Plain Forest Scenic Area as a platform, following a thematic development approach and adhering to the principle of “effective protection and rational development.” It has integrated the poplar forests and the ecological and cultural tourism routes of the “two rivers,” highlighting the characteristics of forest ecological leisure and self-drive tourism. The county has actively developed tourism products such as forest ecological sightseeing, leisure vacations, and rural experiences, establishing the Suyang Plain Forest Scenic Area as a flagship product of Suyang’s tourism offerings.

Introduction to Scenic Spots in the Area

1. Poplar Culture Park

The Poplar Culture Park serves as the starting point of the Suyang Plain Forest Scenic Area and the self-drive tour route. It is the iconic attraction of the scenic area and the main venue for the China Poplar Festival. The park includes a visitor service area, a poplar culture exhibition area, a forest leisure area, a horse racing field, a water activity area, and a livestock breeding and agricultural demonstration experience base. It is a comprehensive tourism and experience destination that showcases poplar culture, experiential culture, water culture, and agricultural culture.

2. Ancient Yellow River Plank Walkway

Stretching a hundred meters across the ancient Yellow River, this winding and flat walkway offers a smooth and stable path. During the summer rainy season, the walkway is situated just below the water surface. Walking barefoot here provides a refreshing coolness. Ahead lies the Egret Viewing Pavilion, where visitors can enjoy the picturesque scene of “egrets flying with the sunset glow, poplars blending with the endless sky.” Unknowingly, visitors are drawn away from the hustle and bustle of the world, immersing themselves in nature’s tranquility and harmony, as if merging into a borderless painting.

3. China Poplar Museum

The China Poplar Museum officially opened to the public on June 2, 2007, and is the only poplar culture exhibition hall in China. The museum utilizes modern techniques such as sound, light, electricity, images, text, and physical displays. It incorporates virtual landscapes and a regularly rotating automatic sculpture display platform to showcase the global distribution of poplar trees, their cultivation history, the process of breeding superior varieties, and other aspects of poplar culture, as well as poplar-related products and cultural artworks. The museum holds significant value for sightseeing, leisure, and academic research.

Within the park stand four towering poplar trees planted in the spring of 1976. These are the tallest and oldest poplar trees in China, often referred to as the “living fossils” of Chinese poplars.

4. Forest Oxygen Bar

Located by the ancient Yellow River, the Forest Oxygen Bar is one of the dozens of large-scale poplar forests in Suyang, boasting an exceptionally high concentration of negative air ions. Walking beneath the shaded canopy and listening to the birds’ melodies, visitors can truly experience the feeling of “negative ions cleansing the lungs, and beautiful scenery invigorating the spirit.” It offers a perfect opportunity to immerse oneself in nature and enjoy the pleasures of a natural oxygen bar.

5. Forest Sea Fishing Village

Nestled along the graceful ancient Yellow River, the Forest Sea Fishing Village is an ideal “leisure club” for urban dwellers seeking ecology and green living, as well as an important functional service area of the Plain Forest Scenic Area. Here, the themes of “green,” “rustic,” and “wild” are distinct, with signature dishes such as Suyang roast chicken and Xinyuan mutton. The village offers a variety of agritainment activities, including lotus viewing, opera performances, and fishing, allowing visitors to fully experience the fisherfolk lifestyle in harmony with nature.

6. Farmer’s Manor

The Farmer’s Manor is located within the Suyang Farm, boasting beautiful scenery and fragrant surroundings. The manor’s theme emphasizes greenery, drawing inspiration from nature to create a pastoral landscape that is natural, fresh, simple, and full of rustic charm. The natural scenery and cultural elements blend harmoniously, with lawns, ponds, streams, and garden architectural features complementing each other. The manor features nearly ten farmhouse courtyards, including a rose garden, plum garden, bamboo garden, magnolia garden, and lilac garden, offering services such as dining and board games. The Farmer’s Manor serves a variety of authentic Suyang local specialties and home-style dishes, making it a true paradise for rural cuisine.

7. Yundu Peach Blossom Land Scenic Area

The Yundu Peach Blossom Land Scenic Area is situated by the ancient Yellow River in Yundu Village, covering an area of 75 acres. It includes a riverside manor and a hundred-acre peach orchard, recreating the ancient beauty of “thousands of acres of blooming peach trees” in Yundu. Within the peach grove stands the Peach Carving Artists’ Guild Hall, which houses a peach carving artists’ exchange center, training center, sales center, and an outdoor peach carving workshop. Visitors can witness the peach carving process and even try their hand at carving their own peach ornaments. (Provided by the Suyang County Tourism Bureau)