Zhenwu Peak Scenic Area

Zhenwu Peak Scenic Area

The Zhenwu Peak Tourist Resort is located in Cuizhuang Township and Mashiping Township, Nanzhao County, Henan Province. Situated at the southern foot of the Funiu Mountains and the northern edge of the Nanyang Basin, it belongs to the Zhenwu Peak section of the Nanyang Funiu Mountain UNESCO Global Geopark, covering a total area of 45 square kilometers, including the Zhenwu Peak Scenic Area and the Baichitan Scenic Area. It is 28 km from Nanzhao County town, 250 km from Zhengzhou (the provincial capital), and 99 km from Nanyang. The resort is based on aquatic landscapes, supported by canyons, high mountains, waterfalls, pools, forests, and mountain flowers, and themed around Taoist culture (with representative figures such as the True Martial Emperor and Zhang Sanfeng), making it one of China’s best tourist destinations with distinctive features.

The 800-li (400 km) Funiu Mountain range is designated by the state as a world-class scenic destination to be developed, and the Zhenwu Peak Tourist Resort is located right at its core. Covering an area of 100 square kilometers, the resort boasts majestic and spectacular scenery, with a grand and imposing atmosphere. Its landscape comprises peculiar peaks and rocks, steep cliffs and secluded valleys, mountain ridges and fortresses, cascading waterfalls and deep pools, azalea-covered hills, primeval forests, rare birds and animals, as well as cultural attractions, forming a complete scenic system.

The ecological environment shaped by the transitional climate characteristics between subtropical and warm temperate zones has preserved relatively intact natural secondary forests and biological communities. Vast primeval forests stretch as far as the eye can see, with extremely rich flora and fauna. Many “relict plants,” “living fossils,” and rare animals continue to thrive here. According to preliminary surveys, the scenic area is home to over 2,900 plant species or varieties (including 1,055 medicinal plants) and 264 species of wild animals. Among them, 29 plant species and 21 animal species are listed under national key protection.

The forest coverage rate within the resort exceeds 98%, with an annual precipitation of 1,200 mm. The average annual temperature is 14.6°C, and summer temperatures do not exceed 25°C. Winters are not harsh and summers are not scorching, offering distinctive scenery in all four seasons: in spring, azaleas bloom in vibrant colors amid birdsong and floral fragrance; in summer, the lush greenery provides a cool haven; in autumn, the forests are painted in a riot of colors; and in winter, the landscape is draped in silvery white, with frost-covered trees like jade and crystal. Tourism experts have commented that the area combines majesty, wonder, danger, beauty, and serenity, featuring a dual style of “northern grandeur and southern elegance.” It possesses the grandeur of Mount Tai, the danger of Mount Hua, the wonder of Mount Huangshan, the beauty of Mount Emei, and the charm of Zhangjiajie—some of its landscapes even surpass those of these famous mountains...

As an ancient saying goes: “The bones of a mountain lie in its rocks, its charm in its waters, its form in its trees, and its spirit in its precipices, beauty, and height. Only when all these elements come together can it be truly remarkable.” The Zhenwu Peak Tourist Resort possesses all these naturally formed elements of bone, charm, form, and spirit, making it a true treasure bestowed upon the world by nature.

The aquatic landscapes of the Zhenwu Peak Tourist Resort are most prominently represented by its pools and waterfalls. The Baichitan Waterfall Scenic Area is currently the newly discovered grand waterfall spectacle in central and western China. “Mountains gain beauty from water, and water gains charm from mountains.” The scenic area combines the delicate grace of southern landscapes with the majestic magnificence of northern ones. Compared to nearby scenic spots, it boasts abundant tourism resources and a diverse range of developable products, demonstrating strong competitive advantages in its landscape tourism resources.

The Baichitan Waterfall Scenic Area is a classic masterpiece of the Zhenwu Peak Tourist Resort, offering visitors an initial, intimate encounter with the beauty of nature. The area includes Baichitan (Hundred-Foot Pool), Jiulongtan (Nine-Dragon Pool), Jinchantan (Golden Toad Pool), Dengzuitan (Lantern-Mouth Pool), Xianglongtan (Auspicious Dragon Pool), Yuanyang Xishui Tan (Mandarin Duck Playing in Water Pool), Lovers’ Valley, Wangqing Stream, Tiandao Stream, Sanxin Pool, Caishi Beach, and waterfalls such as Niumotan Waterfall, Shipantan Waterfall, Baichitan Waterfall, Dengzuitan Waterfall, Xuanshuitan Waterfall, Yangjiaotan Waterfall, and Tiandao Waterfall. It presents the rare spectacle of overlapping gorges, connected pools, and stacked waterfalls. Within a 2-square-kilometer area, three layers of canyons overlap, pools intersect, and paths wind around peaks—a spectacle unique to this region in all of China.

Zhenwu Peak, with an elevation of 2,102 meters, is the second highest peak of the Funiu Mountains. A solitary peak rising abruptly, it pierces the sky, with towering cliffs at its summit. The Zhenwu Peak Scenic Area offers breathtakingly beautiful scenery. It features extraordinary peaks and rocks, represented by landmarks such as Dingtian Peak, - Stone, Zhenwu Peak, Guigucheng (Ghost Valley City), Baoxiao Peak, Jiucengyan (Nine-Layer Rock), and Wulong Peak. Among these, the main peak, marked by - Stone and Zhenwu Peak, surpasses in absolute height the Five Great Mountains, as well as other renowned peaks such as Mount Huangshan, Mount Lu, Mount Jiuhua, Mount Qingcheng, Mount Emei, and Mount Wudang. From the summit, one can watch the sunrise and sea of clouds, with mist and rosy clouds creating a magnificent, awe-inspiring view. Gazing across the surrounding area, “all other mountains appear small,” offering stunning views at both dawn and dusk that are a feast for the eyes and lift the spirit. Thousand-Zhang Rock, Tianwang Tower, Guanshinao, and Ten-Thousand-Zhang Stone Waterfall are all towering cliffs and peaks that rise dramatically from the earth, exuding a majestic presence. Baoxiao Peak, Green-Haired Turtle, Awakening Lion Peak, and Camel Peak are so lifelike they seem crafted by the hands of gods. The Zhenwu Peak Scenic Area’s beautiful mountains and waters have inspired many legends: it is said that Zhenwu Peak was where the True Martial Emperor practiced Taoism in his early years. The Holy Mother Palace is where the Holy Mother preached scriptures, located atop a solitary peak, enclosed by stone walls, with rising mists adding to its mysterious allure. The area also features primeval forests and mountain flower landscapes represented by black pine forests, red leaf forests, ironwood trees, red birch pines, thousand-mu bamboo groves, and ten-thousand-mu azalea fields. When the azaleas bloom, their red, white, yellow, and purple blossoms present a dazzling array of colors. There are also landscapes of rare birds and animals, represented by golden eagles, leopards, bighead carp, wild boars, and musk deer. The area is rich in valuable medicinal herbs such as gastrodia elata, eucommia bark, forsythia, magnolia flower, and polygonum multiflorum. The “Three Treasures of Funiu Mountain”—golden hairpin herb, stone bean, and bridge-crossing grass—are especially famous.

The Zhenwu Peak Tourist Resort captivates visitors with its lofty mountains, peculiar rocks, graceful waters, lush forests, brilliant flowers, and carefree clouds, offering immense aesthetic pleasure, joy, and enjoyment, while also tempering the will and cultivating the spirit. With its unique charm and beauty, the Zhenwu Peak Tourist Resort has become a rising star among Central Plains tourism resorts—perfect for leisure, sightseeing, summer retreats, exploration, and scientific research.