White Snake Valley

White Snake Valley

The White Snake Valley Natural Scenic Area is situated one kilometer north of the Huangyaguan Great Wall in Jixian County, Tianjin, bordering Xinglong County of Hebei Province to the north. It lies on the west side of the Jinfeng Highway, 28 kilometers from Jixian County town. The scenic area features peculiar peaks, deep valleys, mysterious caves, unique trees, legendary tales, and remnants of the ancient Great Wall. It is an eco-friendly destination that combines nature exploration, leisure and summer retreat, fitness adventure, and ecological study, spanning a 6-kilometer hiking route with a round trip taking approximately 2 to 3 hours. The area is named after the legendary White Snake and Green Snake from the tale "Legend of the White Snake," who were said to have inhabited the White Snake Cave and Green Snake Gully here.

The White Snake Valley Natural Scenic Area boasts lush vegetation and numerous rare plants. With its fresh air and high negative oxygen ion content, it is often referred to as a "natural oxygen bar." A deep breath here is sure to invigorate your spirit. Over hundreds of millions of years of geological changes, the forces of nature have sculpted dramatic cliffs, steep peaks, and ancient caves, including Cat-Ear Peak, Divine Dragon Waterfall, Twin Dragon Pools, Mother-and-Son Rocks, Gourd Cliff, Cool Valley, Natural Stone Wall Murals, Hanging Rocks, One-Line Sky, White Snake Cave, General Ridge, Corn Peak, Fortune Turtle Welcoming Rock, Mysterious Caves, Dense Forest Wilderness (a pristine forest zone), ruins of the ancient Great Wall from the Northern Qi Dynasty, and Ming Dynasty watchtowers—among many other captivating natural attractions.

Folklore

The White Snake Valley Scenic Area derives its name from the folk tale “Legend of the White Snake,” in which the White Snake and Green Snake once resided here. According to the legend, the White Snake and Green Snake were born on Mount Emei and cultivated themselves in the White Dragon Cave—the White Snake for 1,000 years and the Green Snake for 800 years. Later, in pursuit of the sunlight, rain, moonlight, and essence of the north, they journeyed together to two valleys at the foot of the Yan Mountains. After attaining immortality, the snakes traveled south back to their old grounds on Mount Emei, where Lady White and Xu Xian fell in love at first sight, leading to a series of stories beginning with “Borrowing an Umbrella by West Lake.” Eventually, the White Snake was imprisoned under the “Leifeng Pagoda.” To rescue her, the Green Snake returned to the Yan Mountains to continue her cultivation. Five hundred years later, she saved the White Snake and the two returned to their former home in the Yan Mountains. Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor sent heavenly soldiers to pursue them, but they were never able to capture the snakes. In the end, Heavenly King Li Jing removed his crown, which transformed into a great mountain and trapped the White Snake and Green Snake beneath it. This mountain is now known as Wangmaoding Mountain. Below it, the valley is divided into Green Snake Gully on the left and White Snake Valley on the right—and thus, the name “White Snake Valley” was born. Strangely enough, even on clear days, whenever the weather changes, wisps of green smoke begin to rise from the bottom of Green Snake Gully, creeping up the mountainside, gradually spreading to shroud the hillsides, summit, and sky. Soon after, sudden rain follows. Once the rain clears, a long, ribbon-like cloud hovers around the mountainside like a jade belt, lingering mysteriously—a spectacular sight to behold.

Transportation Routes

Address: Xiaying Town, Jixian County, Tianjin (north side of Huangyaguan Great Wall)