Zanglongshan Forest Park

Zanglongshan Forest Park

Zanglongshan Forest Park is located at the border of Hebei and Shanxi provinces in the southwestern part of Jingxing County, Hebei Province, only 10 kilometers from Cangyan Mountain, 75 kilometers from Xibaipo, and 60 kilometers from Shijiazhuang City. Legend has it that at the end of the Western Han Dynasty, when Wang Mang led tens of thousands of troops to suppress Liu Xiu, Liu Xiu and his men escaped into the cave-riddled "Jiulong Mountain" (Nine Dragons Mountain) deep in the mountains and survived the ordeal. Later, people named the mountain "Zanglongshan" (Hidden Dragon Mountain).

The Phoenix Summit within the park stands at an elevation of 1,237 meters, also known as Yaoyaojian, and is the highest peak in the southwestern part of Jingxing. The summit features a flat area of about 20 acres, serving as a renowned alpine pasture and the best vantage point to enjoy the panoramic views of the entire park.

The park covers a total operating area of over 12,000 acres, with a forest coverage rate of 72.4%. Its natural ecosystem remains well-preserved, boasting abundant wildlife and plant resources and remarkable biodiversity. There are 586 species of wild higher plants across 82 families, and 112 species of wild animals from 43 families. Scenic plant landscapes such as "Fairyland Apricot Source," "Emerald Valley Pine Waves," "Ten-Mile Golden Flowers," "Phoenix Mountain Peach Blossoms," "Ancient Path Red Leaves," and "Phoenix Cliff Pines" are spectacular. Breathtaking peculiar peaks, exotic rocks, and steep cliffs and valleys leave visitors in awe. Majestic mountains like Zanglongshan, Phoenix Summit, Camel Hump, and Rooster Mountain stand tall, while unique rock formations such as "Goddess of Mercy Presenting a Child," "General Paying Homage to the Seal," "Turtle Carrying the Mountain on Its Back," and "Heavenly Pot" are strikingly lifelike. The main valley in the park, Caidigou, stretches 10 kilometers in length, with the widest point at 256 meters and the narrowest at 10 meters. Along the valley, massive rocks abound — walking through it feels like traversing a world of stone forests. Stay in stone houses, observe stone beasts, and marvel at the wonders crafted by nature.

Zanglongshan Park is adjacent to the ancient village of Gulan, which has a history of a thousand years. Gulan Village has perfectly preserved the stone-paved six streets, seven lanes, and eighteen hutongs from the Ming and Qing dynasties, along with stone furniture such as stone tables, benches, water tanks, and mortars. The stone courtyard homes and cave dwellings offer coolness in summer and warmth in winter, resembling fairyland abodes. The village’s Goddess of Mercy Pavilion, Catholic Church, and ancient yellow rosewood trees from the Han Dynasty offer a glimpse into the past. The ancient Grain-Horse Road runs east-west through the park and was one of the main routes from Shanxi, Shaanxi, Sichuan, Gansu, and Ningxia to the capital in ancient times. It was also a vital hub for cultural exchange and economic trade between the east and west. The deep horse hoof prints on the bluestone slabs reveal the bustling prosperity of the area in days gone by. This region is also a red revolutionary base and a major battlefield during the Hundred Regiments Offensive, leaving behind numerous military relics and revolutionary stories from the War of Resistance against Japan.

Zanglongshan presents ever-changing scenery throughout the four seasons. In spring, forsythia blooms cover the mountains, and peach blossoms flourish. In summer, thousands of hills are clad in green, and trees provide ample shade. In autumn, the forests are painted in vibrant hues. In winter, the landscape is draped in silvery white, with ice forming exquisite sculptures. Come and visit Zanglongshan — walk the ancient Grain-Horse Road, admire the perilous peaks of the Taihang Mountains, explore the Ming and Qing ancient villages, discover the Taiji Cave, feast your eyes on the sea of red leaves, and enjoy the beauty of hanging vines. The hospitable people of the Taihang Mountains are waiting to welcome you.