Qingping Forest Park

Qingping Forest Park

Qingping Forest Park is located 20 kilometers southwest of the county town and consists of two parts: the state-owned forest farm and Qingping New Village. It is a newly developed natural ecological forest park, covering an area of 30,000 mu. The original state-owned forest farm spans 15,573 mu, including 12,523 mu of provincially jointly invested high-yield timber forests, with a total standing timber volume of 38,000 cubic meters and fixed assets of 40 million yuan; Qingping New Village covers 14,430 mu, with the original forested area being 10,121 mu.

Speaking of this area in Qingping, we must go back to the Eastern Han Dynasty. At that time, the old course of the Yellow River that flowed through Gaotang County ran from northeast to southwest, cutting through the northern part of Qingping Town. Over time, it gradually formed over 12,000 mu of uneven, barren land. For miles around, there were vast sand dunes, stretching and winding, with very few inhabitants and not even a proper road.

Nowadays, the forest coverage here has reached over 80%, with abundant flora and fauna. The main tree species include poplar, elm, locust, willow, tung, mulberry, pine, cypress, Beijing poplar, Taiqing poplar, Salix × aureo-pendula, chinaberry, cypress, mulberry, paulownia, pine, and more than 100 other varieties. The main fruit tree species include jujube, duck pear, peach, apricot, grape, mulberry, apple, and pomegranate. The wild mammal species mainly include foxes, raccoon dogs, badgers, rabbits, weasels, hedgehogs, and moles. The wild bird species mainly include crows, magpies, woodpeckers, cuckoos, and yellow buntings. There are approximately 77 types of biological medicinal resources and 8 types of animal-derived medicinal resources. Trichosanthes root is one of the renowned local specialties, famous nationwide. There are also dozens of varieties of flowers.

The forest park has four major scenic areas, comprising a total of 12 attractions. The eastern scenic area has been completed and includes four attractions. Covering 5,000 mu, the eastern scenic area features a luxury building with accommodation, dining, entertainment, shopping, and fitness facilities, five classical Chinese-style villas, a 30-mu swimming pool, and a 100-mu horse racing field. The southern scenic area, which is yet to be built, will cover 8,000 mu and will be primarily dedicated to the development of flowers, plants, and trees, making it a truly vibrant world of birdsong and floral fragrance. The northern scenic area will serve as a wildlife breeding zone, while the western scenic area will feature an artificial lake.

Visiting the forest park for sightseeing, you will experience the warmth of rural life and immerse yourself in the joy of pastoral living. When you come here, spring brings blooming flowers, birdsong, and fragrant blossoms; the hot summer offers lush, shady trees that provide cool relief; autumn presents a scene of falling leaves and golden, fragrant air; and winter, with its thick snow cover, allows you to feel the serenity of a snowy plain. You will find the sky here so vast and so blue, with thin clouds and serene beauty. Even the cattle and sheep in the woods appear so leisurely and carefree, and all your worries will drift away, leaving your mind clear and peaceful.