Wu'an National Forest Park

Wu'an National Forest Park

Wu'an National Forest Park is a national-level forest park.

Wu'an National Forest Park is a national-level forest park. Wu'an National Forest Park is located in the Taihang Mountain area to the west of Handan City, approximately 50 kilometers from downtown Handan. The park covers a total area of 618,000 mu. The oak forest within the park boasts a rich diversity of tree species, with lush vegetation including around 67 families, 150 genera, and nearly 400 species of trees, shrubs, and woody vines. Among them, the Dawn Redwood is a Class I nationally protected tree species, while the Ginkgo, Walnut, and Eucommia are Class II nationally protected species. Ancient cypresses, scholar trees, chestnut trees, as well as varnish trees and oaks that are hundreds or even thousands of years old are particularly precious in the Taihang Mountain region. The beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural sites create a vibrant and diverse environment, making this park a well-known destination for forest sightseeing and vacation tourism.

　The terrain of Wu'an National Forest Park features crisscrossing ravines, majestic and varied mountain peaks, undulating landforms, and diverse geological features. The southern and northern branches of the Zao River both originate from the dense forests within the park. The Pinghe and Wuzuo rivers flow through the valleys, merging at the confluence in the plains area. The park is home to ancient passes such as Junji and Huangze, which guard the ancient Jin-Ji trade route. It also carries the beautiful legend of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, who traveled a thousand li to escort the Maiden of the Capital, as well as the story原型 of the Henan opera "Chaoyanggou." The park is characterized mainly by its mountains, water bodies, and trees, and has developed premium scenic areas such as Jingniang Lake, Changshou Village, Ancient Wudang Mountain, Chaoyanggou, and Qibu Gully. The beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural sites create a vibrant and diverse environment, making this park a well-known destination for forest sightseeing and vacation tourism.

Cultural Attractions

Wu'an National Forest Park is also a place rich in legends and historical sites. In ancient times, there were sites such as the ruins of the Zhao Great Wall from the Warring States period and the Dingjin Rock Chan Guo Temple. More recently, there are remnants of the Eighth Route Army's munitions factory, the strategically important passes of Junji and Huangze that guarded the ancient Jin-Ji road, and the famous legend of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, who journeyed a thousand li to escort the Maiden of the Capital. It is also the inspiration behind the Henan opera "Chaoyanggou." The park is characterized mainly by its mountains, water bodies, and trees. It has successively developed premium scenic spots including Jingniang Lake, Changshou Village, Ancient Wudang Mountain, Chaoyanggou, and Qibu Gully. The beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural sites create a vibrant and diverse environment, making this park a well-known destination for forest sightseeing and vacation tourism.

Rare Species

In July 2008, researchers discovered a rare and endangered plant — the Yanmao Taihang Flower — growing on the cliffs of Wu'an National Forest Park in Wu'an City, Hebei Province. After identification by experts from the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, it was classified as a Class II nationally protected plant with valuable medicinal properties. Experts believe that the area around Wu'an, Hebei, is the only natural habitat for the Yanmao Taihang Flower in the world. This species holds significant importance in the evolutionary origin of plants, serving as a transitional link between woody and herbaceous plants. Additionally, its dried leaves are rich in flavonoids, making it an extremely valuable medicinal plant. The Taihang Flower belongs to the Rosaceae family, Taihanghua genus, and is a Class II nationally protected plant. The Yanmao Taihang Flower discovered in Wu'an is an ecotype variant of the Taihang Flower. This plant survives in an extremely unique environment, growing only in the crevices of cliffs in the southeastern Taihang Mountains, and is known for its remarkable resilience.

Transportation and Accommodation

Wu'an National Forest Park is close to National Highway 309 and the Handan-Changzhi Railway. The Pinghe and Wuzuo railway lines pass through the area. Transportation routes include Handan City — Jingniang Lake; Jingniang Lake — Wuhua Mountain — Chaoyanggou — Chaoyang Lake — Shaba Quarry. These form convenient tourist routes. The park has established mobile communication coverage across its area, with telephone and internet services available. There are over 40 hotels and inns offering a total of 1,100 guest rooms. In addition, there are more than 100 family-run lodgings providing around 1,500 beds. In 2005, the park received a total of 500,000 visitors.