Wuhu Heping Ecotourism Area

Wuhu Heping Ecotourism Area

Have you been to southern Anhui? There, you’ll find a beautiful, clear river—the Qingyi River. It originates from the northeastern foothills of Huangshan Mountain, flows into Taihu Lake, passes through Jingchuan and Chungu (Nanling), then through the Hongyang area of Wuhu County, before finally joining the Yangtze River. At the scenic edge of this rural countryside, the river widens and becomes gentle, with vast fertile fields and numerous wetlands, outlining several gently undulating mountain skylines. This interplay of green fields remains a paradise for herons to this day.

As the river flows to the foot of Henglang Mountain in Wuhu County, there is a high embankment on the opposite bank. On the embankment lies an ancient town that serves as a historical testament to the waterway trade of old. The ancient town of Xihe, once called Chana, contains historic sites such as the Wanniantai Stage, Wenchang Pavilion, and Lvzu Temple.

The Qingyi River runs from south to north through the Hongyang area. Its meandering waters have nourished the people of Hongyang Town on both banks, carrying the accumulation of Huizhou culture. To the south lies the once bustling Xihe Old Street, while to the north it extends all the way to Wuhu County Town. Along the riverbanks are fertile fields and wetlands, and to the east lies a beautiful stretch of hills and ridges in the water-town polder region. (Caption: Forest coverage reaches 20–30%, among other indicators.) The unique geographical location and landform have created Hongyang’s distinctive forest-wetland landscape. It is not only a classic example of Jiangnan pastoral scenery but also a home for heron breeding. “The ancient town of Xihe drifts along the Yi River, while peaceful herons skim over the mulberry fields (flying over Hongyang)”—this line captures the essence of this harmonious green beauty.

With the improvement of external transportation networks, its tourism industry is about to enter a new era of rapid development. Wuhu City has joined the Yangtze River Delta Tourism Cooperation body. Hongyang Town is located at the forefront of Wuhu’s integration into the “Yangtze River Delta,” connected by water to the “Two Mountains and One Lake” area, enjoying a uniquely advantageous tourism location.

Based on the resources and locational advantages of Hongyang Town, we propose the following planning concept: to develop Hongyang into a comprehensive tourism area characterized by agricultural sightseeing, rural leisure, and forest ecology. Through tourism, agriculture will be invigorated, with tourism serving as a catalyst for agricultural transformation, an economic booster for regional development, and a leading industry for achieving sustainable social, economic, and environmental progress. In 2004, Heping Ecological Park was approved by the National Tourism Administration as a National Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Site. This marked the first brand for Hongyang in promoting interactive development between agriculture and tourism.

As a habitat and breeding ground for herons, Heping Ecological Park offers the spectacular view of “thousands of herons flying together, snow weighing down the green pines.” The park features rolling green mountains, clusters of sturdy pines and bamboos, and flocks of herons. Surveys indicate that the park encompasses over 6,000 acres of forest, with more than 120 species of trees, over 460 species of other plants, and more than 100 species of wild animals.