Manghe Nature Reserve

Manghe Nature Reserve

Manghe Nature Reserve is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

Manghe Tourist Nature Reserve. Manghe is located in a forested area 40 kilometers south of Yangcheng County, bordering Jiyuan in Henan Province to the south, covering a total area of approximately 20 square kilometers. The scenic area features overlapping peaks and lush green mountains, including the towering Wangmang Peak that seems to touch the sky, swift-flowing springs as sharp as arrows, waterfalls that splash like flying snow and silver, and playful macaques. Lotus Peak, Water Curtain Cave, Immortal Bridge, and Jade Pool are connected in a series of breathtaking sights, all intertwined with ancient and touching folk legends. The main attraction in the area, Mengshan, is shrouded in clouds and mist all year round, with verdant vegetation cloaked in splendor. From the mountaintop, one can gaze into the distance to see layers of mountain shadows resembling dragons soaring and tigers leaping, and stretches of pine and cypress trees like rolling waves across thousands of miles. At the edge of hundred-zhang cliffs, grotesque rocks stand proudly; in the quiet valleys, clear springs murmur and birds sing, while towering ancient trees grow straight and graceful, and charming wildflowers vie in beauty. Being in the valley of Manghe is intoxicating, lifting the spirits and refreshing the heart and mind. Manghe is also a nature reserve. In addition to the rare animal, the macaque, the area is also home to the Chinese giant salamander, golden eagle, leopard, vegetable garden snake, and large black butterfly. Rare plants include the mountain hundred-tree, songchun wood, blue sandalwood, and yew. These animals and plants add viewing opportunities and an air of mystery to the scenic area. Transportation in the area is convenient, with the Jincheng–Yangcheng Expressway, the Yangcheng–Jiyuan trunk road, and the Yangcheng–Dongcun third-grade oil road all nearby. The public facilities around the scenic area are relatively well-developed, with accommodations, dining, postal services, shopping, and entertainment all available on a certain scale. The services are warm and thoughtful, making it an ideal destination for sightseeing and summer retreats.

Major attractions in the Manghe Tourist Area include Yanshan, Huangcheng, Dongfeng Water Park in Dongfeng, Yunmeng Mountain, and Haihui Temple.

Huangcheng. Located in Huangcheng Village, 40 kilometers northeast of Yangcheng County. Formerly known as Zhongdao Village, it was the former residence of Chen Tingjing, the Qing Dynasty Minister of Revenue and author of the Kangxi Dictionary and Tiao Wen Yun Fu. Because Chen Tingjing’s late-stage courtesy name was “Wuting Shanren,” Emperor Kangxi personally inscribed a large plaque reading “Wuting Shanzhen.” Huangcheng is actually a mountain city, covering a total area of about 15,000 square meters. It is a small town nestled against the mountain and by the water, facing west and sitting east. The city consists of an inner and outer wall. The inner wall was built in the sixth year of the Chongzhen era of the Ming Dynasty (1633) and was called “Douzhu Ju.” The outer wall was built during the Kangxi era. Chen Tingjing’s residence is located here. Existing structures within the city include ancestral halls, the Fengyue Tower, the Zai宰 Mansion, the back garden, stone archways, wells, as well as the study courtyard located just outside the city to the north, all of which are original constructions. Within the city, there are three steles personally inscribed by Emperor Kangxi: “Wuting Shanzhen,” and “Spring Returns with Lush Shade over the Crops, Autumn Arrives with Late-Blooming Chrysanthemums and Fragrant Integrity.”

Dongfeng Water Park. Located in Dongfeng Township, Yangcheng County, it covers an area of about 200 mu (approximately 13.3 hectares), with vast waters and crystal-clear quality. Boating and paddling here make it a well-known water park in the region. The park has now been equipped with additional supporting facilities, further enhancing its functionality and providing greater convenience for visitors. The area’s Yunmeng Mountain and Xiaojiashan are also uniquely enchanting and captivating.

Yanshan. This attraction is famed for its peculiarity. Visiting this spot feels like being inside a giant bowl, with peculiar cypresses and strange pines scattered all around in countless varied shapes. Scattered temples add a poetic touch to this grand “bonsai.”

Yunmeng Mountain. It is a major highlight of the Manghe scenic area. To the north of this attraction lies Xiaojiashan, to the west is Jihuoshan, and in between, the Iron Basin Cliff drips water like pearls, forming a spectacular view from Yunmeng. The beautiful and culturally rich Yunmeng Mountain resembles a flowing, natural painting, full of enchanting scenes that captivate and linger in the heart.