Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park

Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park

Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park is a national-level forest park.

Xishan Forest Park is located in the central part of Xihu District, approximately 10 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou. The entire forest park spans an area of 1,381 hectares with a forest coverage rate of 96.7%. It is a natural forest oxygen bar and the green lung of Hangzhou, offering an average of 7,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter. The forest park boasts many unique features within the Hangzhou urban area, such as the longest mountain hiking trail in China—Xishan Hiking Trail, which stretches 108 kilometers in total. Within the area encircled by the Xishan Hiking Trail, there are countless attractions to explore. Nature enthusiasts can also enjoy rural tourism experiences at places like Longwu Tea Village, Waitongwu Artistic Town, Daqing Village, and Shuangling Black Tea Village. Scenic spots along the way—including villages, temples, parks, and historical sites—are strung together like pearls, offering endless enjoyment. It is an ideal destination for sightseeing, hiking, and leisure. Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park is situated in the central-western part of Xihu District, about 10 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou, just a 0.5 to 1-hour drive away. It serves as the most important ecological barrier within the Hangzhou urban area. The park is divided into three sections from north to south: Longwu, Daqing Valley, and Lingshan, covering a total area of 1,775.2 hectares (26,628 mu). The entrances to Daqing Valley, Longwu, and Lingshan are located approximately 13 km, 15 km, and 30 km from downtown Hangzhou respectively, forming a gradient in distance from the city center and showcasing a rural landscape that transitions from suburban countryside to remote wilderness. This makes it perfect for "short-duration, short-distance, high-frequency" travel. The terrain of Xishan is highly enjoyable for tourism. The mountains of Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park belong to the Tianmu Mountain range, located at the junction of the Tianmu Mountain foothills and the plains, and are situated near the Qiantang River. The hilly landscape showcases delicate beauty, with clear mountain ridges, gently sloping green hills, and serene, deep valleys. The relatively low elevation gives the area an approachable feel, ideal for both exploration and rest, making it extremely tourist-friendly.

The forest ecological environment of Xishan is fresh and pleasant. Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park enjoys a uniquely advantageous ecological environment—with a forest coverage rate of 93.4%, an average annual temperature of 16.2°C, an average annual humidity of around 80%, and an average of 4,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic meter. The mountain breezes are cool, the air is fresh, the environment is pleasant, and the comfort level is extremely high.

The forest park is the nearest natural oxygen bar to downtown Hangzhou. If West Lake is the feast for the eyes, Xixi Wetland nourishes the kidneys, and Xiling is a sanctuary for the soul, then Xishan is the best place for Hangzhou residents to nourish their lungs. It is the largest forest oxygen bar in the urban core of Hangzhou, with high concentrations of negative oxygen ions. Among them, the Bailongtan Scenic Area is particularly outstanding, offering exceptional health and wellness benefits.

Xishan boasts a rich variety of natural landscape resources. Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park represents the essence of the western mountain ranges in the Hangzhou urban area, with breathtaking scenery that has long been favored by poets and scholars throughout history. It has several unique features within the Hangzhou urban area: the highest peak in the urban area—Ruyi Peak, where you can overlook the spectacular convergence of the Qiantang River, Fuchun River, and Puyang River as well as the new and old faces of Hangzhou city; the only geological caves in the urban area—Lingshan Cave, Fengshui Cave, and Xianqiao Cave, which form a cave cluster, with Lingshan Cave being particularly notable for its grand and mysterious interior, housing the world’s second-largest stalagmite; and the only natural large waterfall in the urban area—Bailong Waterfall, which resembles a white dragon soaring through the sky before plunging into the pool, splashing countless droplets. The Longwu Bailongtan area is traditionally known for the “Eight Scenic Spots of Longmen,” consisting of attractions such as Qianzhang Rock, Shiguan, Yushi Rock, Sigu Ping, Laolongtan, Guwang Dian, Yingwu Rock, and Panggu. The Lingshan area features the famous “Ten Scenic Spots of Hubu” since the Qing Dynasty: Cloud Spring Dawn, Dragon Scale Willow, Dong Tomb Pine Waves, Zhuyu Sunset, Hidden Waters Emerging, Winter Warm Summer Cool, Clear Water Hidden Inflows, Woodcutter’s Twin Melodies, Enclosure Stone Walls, and Twin Lions Dripping Pool.

The transitional bio-geographical climate between the northern and southern subtropical zones in the forest park has resulted in a blend of both southern and northern plant species. The forest landscape is typical of the East China region and represents subtropical forest vegetation, featuring broadleaf forests, coniferous forests, bamboo forests, and economic tea plantations. A diverse mix of tree species creates varied textures against the green backdrop, decorated with flowers in spring, lush greenery in summer, and vibrant autumn foliage. The forest's distinct seasonal changes in texture and color are characteristic of subtropical mixed broadleaf forest landscapes, inviting visitors to appreciate its nuances carefully.

Xishan has a profound cultural heritage. The cultural landscapes within the forest park include tea culture, dragon culture, religious culture, and bamboo culture. Among these, Longjing tea culture holds both national and global significance. Xihu District is known as the hometown of Chinese tea culture, and Longwu is one of the main production areas of West Lake Longjing tea. There is also a sacred site of Buddhism and Taoism—Jinlian Temple.

Hangzhou Xishan National Forest Park has a long perimeter, facilitating multi-directional access for residents and tourists. The park has 19 entrances, with major ones including the Xialiangwu Entrance in Liuxia Subdistrict, the Daqing Valley Entrance, the Bailongtan Scenic Area Entrance, and the Lingshan Scenic Area Entrance. The park already offers good conditions for sightseeing.

Hangzhou Xishan Forest Park is located in the central part of Xihu District, approximately 10 kilometers from downtown Hangzhou. It faces the Xixi Wetland National Park and Zhijiang National Tourism Resort across the road and is close to the Hangzhou Ring Expressway and National Highway 320. The entire forest park spans an area of 1,381 hectares with a forest coverage rate of 96.7%.

The forest park has many unique features within the Hangzhou urban area, such as the highest peak in the urban area—Ruyi Peak, where you can overlook the convergence of the Qiantang River, Fuchun River, and Puyang River as well as the new and old faces of Hangzhou city; the only geological cave in the urban area—Lingshan Cave, known for its vast and mysterious interior; and the only natural large waterfall in the urban area—Bailong Waterfall, which resembles a white dragon soaring through the sky.

The forest park is also home to numerous historical, cultural, and ancient relics. Many renowned figures, such as Su Dongpo and Zhu Xi, have left behind a wealth of poetry and cliff inscriptions. The tomb of Hu Xueyan, a prominent red-topped businessman of the Qing Dynasty, is also located within the park. Emperor Zhao Gou of the Southern Song Dynasty once ascended Xiaohe Mountain and was moved to exclaim, “Xixi is truly worth staying for.” Revolutionary leaders of older generations such as Mao Zedong and Zhu De also frequently visited the area to admire the mountain views and tour nearby Waitongwu Village...

In addition, Longwu is one of the birthplaces and main production areas of West Lake Longjing tea, while Lingshan is the main producer of the black tea variety “Jiuxianhongmei.” The renowned Jiangnan Buddhist temple Jinlian Temple on Xiaohe Mountain was historically ranked among the three great temples of Jiangnan, alongside Lingyin Temple and Fahua Temple.