Zhenzhu Mountain Forest Park

Zhenzhu Mountain Forest Park

Zhenzhu Mountain Forest Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

The provincial-level Zhenzhu Mountain Forest Park is located in Houlou Village, Yangzhong Town, and Xibin Town of Youxi County, Sanming City. It lies just across a slope from the Youxi River and is known as a "natural ecological park." The park is situated between longitude 118°21′59″ and 118°23′23″, and latitude 26°17′03″ and 26°19′17″, stretching in a northeast-southwest direction. Seen from afar, the mountain resembles a pillow — hence its name.

Covering a total area of 398.67 hectares, Zhenzhu Mountain Forest Park has its highest point at Wangyantou (Xianlingding) with an elevation of 976.4 meters, and its lowest at Pingkeng Stream at 180 meters. The mountain is covered with over 5,800 acres of towering ancient trees, achieving a forest coverage rate of 97%. The park mainly encompasses the southeastern slope of Zhenzhu Mountain, featuring numerous streams, undulating terrain, steep peaks, jagged ridges, and competing summits. There are many uniquely shaped rocks, a wealth of rare trees, and protected wildlife. The climate is pleasant, without intense heat in summer or severe cold in winter. Surrounded by mist, the mountains appear and disappear like a fairyland; on sunny days, clouds rise in resplendent colors, presenting a breathtaking scene. At the mountaintop stands the Penglai Pavilion, which has been a sacred site for pilgrims throughout history, with incense burning all year round. On the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month, worshippers flock to the mountain to pray. Additionally, there are the ruins of two ancient hilltop strongholds from the late Ming and early Qing dynasties — Ma Yao Fort and Suanzao Fort (also called Xinglong Fort). Legend has it that these were once gathering places for righteous warriors. In the 1940s, underground Communist guerrilla forces operated here, spreading revolutionary ideals. Visitors can still discern the thick, narrow walls of the ancient forts among the ruins, indicating their former grandeur and prosperity.

Based on the park’s resource conditions, the overall plan divides the scenic area into: a comprehensive service zone, an agricultural experience zone, a mountaintop sightseeing zone, and a forest adventure zone. The area boasts numerous natural attractions such as Ma Yao Waterfall, Cliff Waterfall, and Maiden Peak. It is known for its “seven ridges, eight peaks, seven turns, eight bends, seven ancient sites, and eight wonders,” making it an ecological tourism destination that combines danger, wonder, serenity, and elegance. In 2016, Zhenzhu Mountain was rated as a national AAA-level tourist attraction.