Sifangshan Botanical Garden

Sifangshan Botanical Garden

Sifangshan Botanical Garden is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Sifangshan Botanical Garden, a national 2A-level scenic area, is located in the northern suburbs of Shiyan City, Hubei Province. It is 6 kilometers from the city center, just 10 kilometers from the Hanshi Expressway, and 15 kilometers from the Xiangyu Railway. This comprehensive botanical garden integrates scientific research and education, leisure and entertainment, as well as tourism and sightseeing. Established in 1992, the garden covers an area of over 2,800 acres. It now features more than 20 uniquely designed and thematically rich attractions, including the “He Pavilion” overlooking cliffs and winds, the “Heavenly Pool Divine Bath” that remains unaffected by drought or rain, the “Drunken Stone Forest” filled with peculiar rocks, the “Pine-Watching Pavilion” where you can admire the moon on clear days and listen to the pine waves in strong winds, the “Taiji Altar” where the Taoist deity Zhenwu is said to have practiced martial arts, the mysterious and deep “Fushou Valley” echoing with valley sounds, and the “Shuyu Pavilion” showcasing classic Jiangnan-style garden architecture. There are also 20 other architectural sites such as pavilions, terraces, corridors, and trellises, each with distinct forms and profound artistic meanings. The Ming and Qing Stone Carving Garden houses over 30 stone carvings and statues from temples and monasteries around Mount Wudang dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. A 13-kilometer main touring road has been built, and running water has been introduced into the garden. The garden is home to 570 species of plants from 370 genera and 127 families, including more than 20 types of nationally protected plants (Class I and II). Four specialized botanical gardens have been created: the Osmanthus Garden, Bashan Waxberry Garden, Firethorn Garden, and Pomegranate Garden, blending sightseeing with flower appreciation. These areas ensure flowers bloom in three seasons and evergreen foliage all year round, filling the air with fragrant blossoms. The garden also includes two well-decorated hotels equipped with comprehensive facilities, able to accommodate over 100 guests for dining and lodging simultaneously. Currently, the botanical garden is part of the larger Sifangshan Scenic Area. The planned Sifangshan Scenic Area spans 1.5 square kilometers (Note: likely intended as 150 hectares or similar large area; "1.5亩" would be only about 1,000 sqm, which seems too small—context suggests larger scale) and is divided into eleven zones: the Sightseeing Orchard Zone, Yixiu Scenic Zone, Ornamental Plants Zone, Comprehensive Amusement Zone, Waterscape & Mountain Activity Zone, Deer Park Zone, Camping & Recreation Zone, Hunting Zone, National Defense Education Base, Plant Introduction & Domestication Zone, and Administrative & Residential Zone. Once completed, the Sifangshan Scenic Area will serve not only as a multifunctional recreational destination integrating scientific research, education, tourism, sightseeing, vacationing, and leisure, but also play a vital role as a green ecological barrier for the urban environment.