Hebei Lincheng National Geopark

Hebei Lincheng National Geopark

Hebei Lincheng National Geopark is a national geopark.

Hebei Lincheng National Geopark is located in the middle section of the Taihang Mountains within Lincheng County, covering a total area of 298.2 km², with the main geological heritage area spanning 198 km². It is a "paradise on earth" primarily characterized by karst caves, integrating peak forest landforms, Zhangshiyan landforms, standard stratigraphic sections of important geological units, typical shallow marine sedimentary features, water landscapes, and cultural and historical relics.

The park consists of five parts: the Kongshan White Cloud Cave Scenic Area, Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area, Xiaotianchi Scenic Area, Qishan Lake Scenic Area, and the Ancient Continental Nucleus Geological Heritage Scenic Area. The core area of the park houses rare limestone karst cave wonders underground, while the surface serves as both a picturesque leisure and resort tourism destination and an important base for studying Earth sciences and exploring ancient cultural origins. This ensures the effective protection of various precious and non-renewable geological heritage sites and landscapes, promoting the sustainable and harmonious development of the economy, society, environment, and resources.

Major Scenic Areas

Kongshan White Cloud Cave Scenic Area

— The Best Place to Study Northern Temperate Karst Caves and Their Landscape Formation

Known as the "No. 1 Cave in North China," this cave is located 6 km west of Lincheng County and developed within the thick-layered oolitic limestone of the Zhangxia Formation from the late Middle Cambrian period of the Paleozoic era. The cave has a sac-like (pouch-like) structure, featuring a comprehensive variety of carbonate karst formations, high density of scenic carriers per unit area, and a dazzling array of colorful and well-preserved natural formations. The enclosed space is filled with a profusion of vividly colored stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, curtains, waterfalls, flowers, grapes, shields, and soda straws. Five interconnected cave chambers have been preliminarily explored and developed: "Human World," "Heaven," "Hell," "Dragon Palace," and "Mystery Cave." The largest chamber spans approximately 2,170 square meters, with over 200 major attractions. Its main characteristics include special formations made of dissolution remnants, relatively small-scale secondary calcite deposits, fewer thick stalactites, stalagmites, and columns but more smaller ones, particularly notable for its helictites, soda straws, and cave flowers. This karst cave has been praised by domestic and international cave experts as "a marvel of the north," an "underground karst sculpture museum," and a "world expo of karst scenic caves."

Tiantai Mountain Scenic Area

— A Natural Museum of Sedimentary Rock Science

Located 8 km northwest of Kongshan White Cloud Cave, this scenic area covers 23 km² and is composed of quartz sandstone from the Mesoproterozoic Changcheng System, deposited around 1.8 billion years ago. The mountain is upright with a flat top resembling a platform. The main peak consists of five table-like mountains standing majestically in a row. At the mountain’s base, 500 acres of ancient cypress woods complement historic temples and serene surroundings, while clear valley streams and red-rock waterfalls abound. Major attractions include the iconic "Tiantai Reclining Buddha," "Five Grain Barns," "Stairway to Heaven," "Dragon Head Gorge," and the ruins of eight temples and nunneries such as Ciyun Nunnery. The quartz sandstone layers preserve numerous uniquely shaped sedimentary structures such as ripple marks, mud cracks, flute casts, and cross-bedding, displaying diverse forms and types.

Qishan Lake Scenic Area

— The Hometown of Human Ancestors’ Thriving Existence

Situated 2.5 km southwest of Kongshan White Cloud Cave, the lake was originally built in 1958 and formerly known as the Lincheng Reservoir. It is a large irrigation reservoir in the county with a capacity of 176 million cubic meters. The water quality is excellent, classified as Grade II national drinking water. With a surface area exceeding 10 km², it is the only large artificial lake around Shijiazhuang, the provincial capital, not designated as a drinking water source. The surrounding area features vast hills and is currently being developed into a high-end government and business reception center. Historically, this was the cradle of human ancestors' existence, with lakefront sites including Longshan Culture ruins and Shang-Zhou ancient city ruins.

Xiaotianchi Forest Scenic Area

— The Greenest Place in the Taihang Mountains

Located 27 km west of Kongshan White Cloud Cave, the area's rock composition mainly includes low-grade metamorphic sandstone, slate, metabasalt, Changcheng System quartz sandstone, and later intrusive dikes. Through the combined effects of tectonic uplift, erosion, and weathering, the mountain has been sculpted into a variety of landforms such as peculiar peaks, strange rocks, high mountains, and deep valleys. Covering a total area of 50 km², the scenic area has an average elevation of over 900 meters, with 67,000 mu of forest and 40,000 mu of primary secondary forest, resulting in a forest coverage rate of over 80%. The average summer temperature is just 23°C. It boasts over 700 species of higher plants and more than 100 types of wildlife.

Ancient Continental Nucleus Geological Heritage Scenic Area

— A Base for Geological Heritage Protection, Geological Science Research, Popular Science, and Tourism

Located in the heart of the park, this area holds significant importance for geological tourism and scientific exploration. The entire zone comprises four scenic groups: the Zanhuang Rock Group Stratigraphic Scenic Group, focusing on the Shijialan–Shanghonghe area in Haozhuang Township; the Paleoproterozoic Guandu Rock Group Stratigraphic Scenic Group, centered around the Guandu area in Haozhuang Township; the Paleoproterozoic Gantaohe Group Rock Stratigraphic Scenic Group, highlighting the Qiyu–Xiaotianchi area in Zhaojiazhuang; and the Mesoproterozoic Changcheng System Changzhougou Formation Sandstone–Cambrian-Ordovician Scenic Group, focusing on the Tiantai Mountain–Wangjiazhuang area in Heicheng Township, Shizheng Town.

Ancient Cultural Relics Scenic Area

Over the course of more than 4,000 years of civilization, Lincheng has nurtured and formed cultural relics such as the Puli Temple Pagoda, Tang-Song Xing Porcelain Kiln Ruins, Xibo Pavilion, - Bridge, and the Guchang Ancient City Ruins. Among these, the Xing Kiln Ruins and Puli Temple Pagoda have been listed as Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level, with the Xing Kiln Ruins also included in the National Major Site Conservation Planning Project.

Lively Agricultural Ecological Park

The park includes two National Agricultural Tourism Demonstration Sites (Xingtai Fengleyuan and Luling Company), one Provincial Eco-Tourism Agricultural Demonstration Site (Yanzhuangjia), and one Provincial Rural Tourism Demonstration Site (Xingtai Fengleyuan). Luling Company has established China’s largest production base of thin-shelled walnuts.