Dushan Forest Park

Dushan Forest Park

Dushan Forest Park is situated in the southern part of Kuancheng Manchu Autonomous County, Hebei Province, within the eastern section of the Yanshan Mountain Range. It is home to the highest peak of the eastern Yanshan Mountains (the second principal peak of the Yanshan Range), with the main peak reaching an altitude of 1,846.3 meters. Legend says that Dushan is the embodiment of the Dragon Princess of the East Sea. After begging the Dragon King to bring rain to the lands of Yan and Zhao, she was cast out of the Dragon Palace. Filled with sorrow, over time she transformed into a grand mountain. Her green robe became the lush forests covering the hills, her tears turned into two long rivers—the Dahei River and the Duanyin River—and the white veil on her head became the silvery, snow-covered peaks of Dushan.

The mountains of Dushan undulate with steep peaks, deep valleys, and dense forests teeming with rich biodiversity. There are over 300 species of plants, and vast areas of natural forest cover 94.2% of the park. The forest is home to rare ancient spruce trees seldom seen in northern China, as well as first- and second-class nationally protected tree species such as Phellodendron amurense, Juglans mandshurica, and Tilia amurensis. The area hosts over a hundred animal species, including first-class nationally protected animals such as the leopard, red-crowned crane, and golden eagle. It is a vast botanical garden and a diverse wildlife sanctuary. The park boasts a rich variety of plants, including precious ornamental flower species like the Magnolia sieboldii from the Magnoliaceae family, wild fruits such as kiwi berries and mountain grapes, as well as valuable medicinal herbs like ginseng and ganoderma. There are also numerous forest by-products such as wood ear mushrooms, mushrooms, and bracken. The animal population is equally diverse, with wildlife such as blue sheep, roe deer, and badgers frequently spotted in the woods. Scenic spots in the area include Hundred Pleats Lady, Maiden’s Spring, Camel Peak, Niuyu Valley, Three Guardians Sacred Pines, White Ape Gazing at the Moon, South Ice Channel, Long Ridge Flower Sea, Sea-Viewing Goddess Temple, and Dushan Snow. Each of these is a marvel of nature, enriched by beautiful legends that transport visitors into a fairyland. Long Ridge Flower Sea is one of Dushan’s highlights—a mountaintop meadow covered in lush green grass and blooming flowers, with dozens of plant species competing in a vibrant display, especially the rare and exquisite Magnolia sieboldii, seldom seen anywhere else in the world. Dushan Snow is honored as the foremost of the “Eight Outer Scenic Spots” by Emperor Kangxi. From afar, parts of the mountaintops appear covered with thousands of white boulders, with only sparse vegetation in between, giving the illusion of snow-capped peaks. The view up close is even more magical. Chen Suoli, a Ming Dynasty border official, wrote a poem about it: “Where the Qilian ends, rouge blooms all around; looking back, the North Star seems low. In June, snow still crowns the mountain’s head, blown westward by the mighty wind.” The uppermost layer is made of massive rocks, commonly known as the “Big Stone Cave.” The middle layer consists of accumulated rocks washed down over the years from above, while the lower layer is a fertile soil basin formed by eroded earth from the layers above, suitable for wild weeds—commonly called the “Meadow of a Hundred Herbs.” The Sea-Viewing Goddess Temple sits atop a ridge just a hundred meters below the main peak. The entire temple structure, from walls to roof, is built from granite slabs and remains well-preserved to this day.

In spring, Dushan bursts into bloom with flowers, buzzing bees and butterflies, and birds singing joyfully. In summer, clouds drift and curl, creating a dreamlike fairyland. Autumn brings abundant fruit and fiery red maple leaves that dazzle the mountains. In winter, the land is blanketed in snow, presenting a pure, silver-white beauty. It is an ideal destination for those seeking to reconnect with nature, embrace simplicity, enjoy forest bathing, and breathe in the benefits of negative ions.

Standing atop the mountain, you overlook all others below. The sky feels within arm’s reach, and the sea of clouds is just a hand’s stretch away. Magpies flit by your side, while ranges of peaks stretch endlessly beneath your feet. At the summit of Dushan, the magnificence and grandeur are overwhelming. Before you know it, your heart swells with emotion, imagination takes flight, and a thousand thoughts arise…

When you look back, the rolling clouds obscure the path you came from; when you look ahead, countless mountain ridges converge beneath your feet. This is Dushan—the gathering place of mountains, the capital of peaks, connecting all corners of the land across China.