Tongling Mountain

Tongling Mountain

Tongling Mountain is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national forest park.

Tongling Mountain National Forest Park is situated in Wencheng County, within the Yesheng Forest Farm upstream of the Yanmen Grand Canyon. Spanning approximately 5 kilometers and covering 2,755 hectares, the park features tens of thousands of acres of pristine secondary forest—the best-preserved broadleaf forest in southern Zhejiang. It is most renowned for the spectacular potholes carved by millennia of swirling currents in the Tongling Mountain Gorge. The canyon is dotted with cascading waterfalls and layered pools, with roaring rapids that shake the soul, creating a surreal and breathtaking landscape hailed as "a unique wonder of China."

Tongling Mountain Forest Park is located west of the Baitang Scenic Area and consists of three major scenic zones: the Tongling Mountain Gorge, Xiaoyao Pool, and Tongling Fort.

The park is characterized by lush mountains, deep canyons, murmuring streams, dense bamboo forests, rare flowers and plants, and abundant wildlife. It is especially famous for its "pothole" formations, a rare sight in China and truly a "miraculous landscape." With a forest coverage rate of 95%, the air here is fresh, rich in negative ions and various plant-derived bactericidal compounds and terpenes, which are highly beneficial to health, offering both mental rejuvenation and physical fitness.

Tongling Mountain Forest Park is an ideal destination for sightseeing, adventure, leisure, summer retreats, and "forest bathing." It opens its enchanting arms to welcome visitors from all walks of life.

Tongling Mountain National Forest Park is located in Wencheng County, within the Yesheng Forest Farm upstream of the Yanmen Grand Canyon. Covering about 5 kilometers and 2,755 hectares, it features vast tracts of pristine secondary forest—the best-preserved broadleaf forest in southern Zhejiang. The most famous attraction is the remarkable pothole formations in the Tongling Mountain Gorge, where cascading waterfalls and layered pools create thunderous rapids that leave visitors awestruck. The canyon is a surreal wonder, known as "a unique wonder of China." Zhejiang Province is nationally renowned for its stunning landscapes, especially the breathtaking natural scenery of eastern and southern Zhejiang. Tongling Mountain is a lesser-known yet exceptionally beautiful scenic gem in Wencheng County, southern Zhejiang.

Hidden 40 kilometers west of Wencheng County amid towering mountains, the Tongling Mountain scenic area features rolling peaks and deep canyons. Now part of the national Baitang Scenic Area and also a national forest park, it boasts over 95% forest coverage, earning it the title "natural oxygen bar." The beauty of Tongling Mountain lies in two aspects: its captivating forest trails and its uniquely stunning pothole waterfalls.

The forest trail extends over 500 meters, with the air filled with the fresh fragrance of trees. The winding path goes up and down, allowing visitors to enjoy birdsong, insect chirps, and vibrant foliage, creating a uniquely delightful and relaxing experience.

What makes Tongling Mountain even more magical is its nationally unique pothole waterfall. In the S-shaped Tongling Mountain Gorge, a series of massive stone-basin-like pools descend one after another—some nestled in the valley, others embedded in the cliffs, resembling wine jars, shallow wells, perfectly round forms, or interconnected holes. These basins collect crystal-clear water. The emerald-like waterfall flows from one pool to the next, crashing down with a lively gurgle, creating a fascinating spectacle. Renowned Chinese landscape expert and Peking University professor Xie Ninggao, after on-site research, designated this as a "pothole wonder, a unique marvel of China." This natural masterpiece was sculpted over millions of years by the rushing floodwaters of the Tongling Gorge. For visitors' convenience, a steel-welded trail now winds along the left cliffside of the canyon like a dragon, offering a spectacular view from the valley floor.

Traveling from Wencheng County to Tongling Mountain via the old, winding dirt mountain road takes 3 to 4 hours, with a rough ride and dust. However, the journey rewards travelers with the rare sight of the majestic Yanmen Grand Canyon (the new asphalt road bypasses the canyon, missing its scenery entirely). The canyon rises 1,100 meters, stretches over 100 kilometers, and offers sweeping views of layered peaks and the verdant, bamboo-covered valley below.

Features

Tongling Mountain Forest Park is located 49 kilometers west of Wencheng County and is named after a giant cliff resembling a "copper bell." Covering 2,725 hectares with 95% forest coverage, the park is known for its dense forests, rare wildlife, deep valleys, rapid waterfalls, emerald pools, serene lakes, peculiar rocks, and unusual potholes. It serves as a comprehensive forest park integrating landscape sightseeing, forest exploration, leisure vacations, health rehabilitation, and scientific research. The park includes five major scenic areas—Tongling Gorge, Tongling Fort, Xiaoyao Pool, Primeval Jungle, and Shengchuan Peach Stream—with over 150 attractions.

The Tongling Gorge is 3 kilometers long, ranging from over 100 meters to just 4–5 meters wide, forming an S-shape. Towering, steep mountains line the canyon, with smooth, miraculously shaped cliffs. The highlight is the ancient riverbed potholes—rare wonders in China. Numerous waterfalls of varied forms cascade through the area, resembling dragons spouting water, silver snakes emerging, or a galaxy hanging upside down, forming deep, emerald pools. The pools, shaped like wine jars or teapots with small mouths and large bellies, are called the "Twelve Jars." Walking along the thrilling high trails, visitors look up at the sheer cliffs as if they were floating ribbons, a magical sight. Looking down, they see cascading waterfalls and interconnected pools, with fascinating rocks and beaches. Renowned Chinese landscape expert Professor Xie Ninggao of Peking University praised it as "the unparalleled pothole wonder of the world."

Surrounding the Tongling Rock are hundred-meter cliffs. A small path leads north to the summit (Tongling Tip), where a flat area hosts the Tongling Fort, a former outpost of the late Yuan Dynasty rebel leader Wu Chengqi. Ruins such as roof tiles and ceramic fragments remain. Standing atop, visitors feel as if on top of the world with panoramic views. A cave halfway up the mountain, known as the "Gold-Hiding Cave," is said to have stored Wu’s treasures. A local folk rhyme goes: "Wu Chengqi’s fort holds gold in nine rows, each row with nine jars, each jar with ninety thousand." From the fort, visitors can see six to seven waterfalls, the most spectacular being the Baishuitan Waterfall. An ancient poem describes it: "White water tumbles from cliffs in the clouds, unchanged by mist or rain. Like a shy maiden, its beauty stirs joy."

Xiaoyao Pool sits atop a mountain at 1,090 meters in the Hutou Forest Area. Legend says it was the heavenly Queen Mother’s bath, hence the name "Jade Pool." Covering over 4 acres, the pool is fed by perennial springs, its waters always emerald green, like a mirror reflecting the blue sky, green trees, and red flowers, transporting visitors to a fairyland. An ancient verse reads: "Lush grass and deep lake water flow westward, peaks frame the tranquil scene. Long embankments merge sky and water, distant shores hold rain-washed gulls. Fish seek transformation among aquatic plants, while birds freely swim. The Shengchuan Stream originates here—why seek other fishing spots?" A short hike uphill leads to the Sunrise Viewing Platform, where visitors can watch the sun rise over the mountains or set behind the forests. In spring, flowers bloom; in summer, clouds drift; in autumn, the moon shines bright; in winter, snow blankets the land. 200 meters west of the pool stands the Zhao Lie Pavilion, built in 1997 to commemorate Red Army martyrs who fought bravely against overwhelming odds in 1936.

The park preserves 1,000 hectares of pristine evergreen broadleaf secondary forest. It is rich in biodiversity, with 2,042 plant species across 207 families and 762 genera—including 30+ protected species like silverbell, dove tree, Fujian cypress, and katsura. Animal species include 175 types from 58 families and 119 genera, such as the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey, yellow-bellied tragopan, Chinese giant salamander, owls, and pangolins. The Zhengkengyuan Forest Area features towering, century-old hardwood trees with trunks 1–2 meters in diameter, draped in thick vines, forming a natural forest ecosystem. Dozens of ornamental plants include 31 flowering species, 20 fruit-bearing, 26 foliage, and 18 tree-shaped varieties. The landscape changes with the seasons: spring brings blooming flowers, summer lush greenery, autumn fiery leaves, and winter snowy silence. Rare wildlife like the yellow-bellied tragopan and wild boars inhabit the area. The rugged, unpolluted trails are perfect for adventurous forest exploration, while the clean air, water, and fragrant flora make it an ideal forest bathing destination.

The Shengchuan Peach Stream Scenic Area borders Feiyun Lake, home to vast bamboo forests and a long-flowing stream. Visitors enter a world of swaying bamboo, rustling woods, gentle breezes, and murmuring streams. In spring, post-rain bamboo shoots shoot up vigorously; in summer, thunderous waterfalls roar like dragons or flutter like white ribbons, splashing against rocks and creating rainbows in the sunlight. Along the way, enjoy natural wonders like the Sky Pillar, Wooden Fish Rock, Golden Toad Rock, Tiger Mountain, Water Cave Mountain, Upside-Down Immortal Stairs, Jar-Yao Plain, and Dragon Well, as well as quaint rural scenes of bridges, streams, fields, and farmhouses.

After years of development, the park’s infrastructure has significantly improved. Over 60 kilometers of external access roads and internal trails, a 300-meter suspended walkway, and hiking paths have been completed. New facilities like the Tongling Mountain Resort and Osmanthus Village parking lots are now open to visitors.

Attraction Introduction

Adjacent to Zhejiang’s largest lake—Feiyun Lake, Tongling Mountain Forest Park consists of the Tongling Gorge, Xiaoyao Pool, and Tongling Fort. It features pristine forests, deep valleys, waterfalls, and the famed pothole formations—a rare, breathtaking wonder. With 95% forest coverage, the air is rich in health-boosting negative ions and plant compounds.

Tongling Mountain is an ideal destination for sightseeing, adventure, summer retreats, and forest bathing, welcoming all visitors.

Attraction Overview

Location: Tongling Mountain Forest Park is situated in the western part of the Baitang Scenic Area.

Climate: Wenzhou enjoys a mild, humid climate suitable for diverse flora and fauna. With an annual average rainfall of 1,800 mm, a temperature of around 18°C, and 280 frost-free days, the region is pleasant, fertile, and rich in resources.