Xiangtangshan Scenic Area

Xiangtangshan Scenic Area

Xiangtangshan Scenic Area is a national scenic spot, a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, and a national forest park.

Xiangtangshan National Forest Park is located in Fengfeng Mining District, Hebei Province, with a total area of 6,348.8 hectares. It includes five scenic areas divided into three parts: the western mountainous region, the central Gushan Mountain, Yuanbao Mountain area, and the eastern hilly land.

The Xiangtangshan National Forest Park consists of five scenic areas within three parts: the eastern part is the Phoenix Mountain Forest and Flower Garden, covering an area of 909.72 hectares; the central part, from north to south, includes the Xiangtang Temple Scenic Area, Yuanbao Mountain Boutique Area, and Jiushan Eco-Agricultural Scenic Area, with areas of 3,012.51 hectares, 121.96 hectares, and 214.26 hectares respectively; the western part is the Jiulongjiao Green Ecological Area, spanning 2,090.35 hectares.

The park is situated at the southern end of Hebei Province, in the southwest of Handan City, 34.5 km from Handan, 190 km from Shijiazhuang (the provincial capital of Hebei), over 300 km from Zhengzhou (the provincial capital of Henan), and 60 km from Anyang. Its coordinates are between 114°03′–114°16′ east longitude and 36°20′–36°34′ north latitude. Located on the eastern foothills of the southern Taihang Mountains, it lies in the low mountain and hilly transition zone between the Taihang range and the North China Plain. Gushan Mountain runs north-south through the entire district, stretching 18 km east-west and 22.2 km north-south, with the highest elevation at 891 m and the lowest at 107 m. The mining district covers a total area of 35,300 hectares.

Gushan Mountain, historically known as "Jingshan" and also called Fushan or Xiangtangshan, is a spur of the eastern Taihang Mountain range. It lies northwest of the Fengfeng Mining District government seat, starting from Lishan in Wu’an City in the north and extending to Linshui Town in the district in the south. Stretching 21 km in length and 5 km in width from north to south, it is oriented longitudinally. Its western wing is broad and gentle, forming the Cun Basin and Pengcheng Basin, while its eastern wing is narrow and steep, consisting of shallow hills and plains.

Main Attractions

The park’s main attraction, the Xiangtangshan Grottoes, is among China’s first batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level and one of the seven most renowned grottoes in the country. At the mountain’s base lie the ruins of Changle Temple, while Gushan Mountain features additional mountain landscapes such as Liulian Peak, Xiaobangchui Peak, Qidao Wan, Xiaogui Dao, and Yixiantian. The long history of Fengfeng Mining District has fostered a splendid culture, encompassing not only a precious treasure trove of grotto art, the famous Cizhou Kiln culture, and abundant historical sites above and below ground, but also over 30 unique natural features and landscapes such as Longdong Zhuquan (Dragon Cave Pearl Spring), Laoye Mountain Stone Carvings, the Ming Dynasty Beamless Pavilion, and Fengyue Pass. The Xiangtangshan Scenic Area is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and is expected to be upgraded to a national AAAA-level site within the year. With an annual reception capacity of 200,000 visitors, it is an ideal destination for vacationing, tourism, leisure, and recreation.

Scenic Area Development

Xiangtangshan National Forest Park

Date: 2006-12-06

Total Investment: USD 9.697 million

Foreign Investment Proportion: USD 7.2727 million

Cooperation Method: Joint Venture

Project Description: Comprehensive, multi-dimensional development of the Phoenix Mountain Scenic Area to transform it into a true eco-garden integrating tourism, residence, leisure, and entertainment.

Market Economic Benefit Analysis: The completion of this scenic area will significantly boost the tourism development of our district and even the entire city, further expanding our tourism scale and adding new tourism projects. Together with the North and South Xiangtang, Heilong Cave, and Cizhou Kiln historical sites, it will form a comprehensive golden tourism route. Especially now, as ecotourism has become the fastest-growing sector in the tourism industry, this scenic area—with its unique natural landscape, top-tier entertainment and service facilities, and residential environment—will become a highlight in southern Hebei. The investment payback period is 10 years.

Project Progress: As one of the scenic areas of Xiangtangshan National Forest Park, Phoenix Mountain has completed the project proposal and feasibility study report, which have been approved for construction by the Hebei Provincial Forestry Bureau. To date, an investment of RMB 15 million has been made, afforesting 3,000 acres, with water, electricity, and road access all established. Construction has been completed on office zones, poplar forests, torch tree forests, willow forests, linear parks, fruit-picking gardens, science and technology gardens, vineyards, hundred-fruit gardens, Phoenix Tower, northern and southern nurseries, Willow Willow Villa, Bench Mountain Road, Fishing Pond, and Fish Viewing Lake. Water diversion projects, Hidden Dragon Pool, Fengyue Bay, and Dragon Phoenix Lake are also under intensive construction.

Further Reading:

· Eighth Batch of National Scenic Areas