Qingdagou Forest Park

Qingdagou Forest Park

Drive 25 kilometers north from Yajiang County, cross the Yalong River suspension bridge, and you’ll enter Qingdagou Provincial Forest Park. Covering an area of 27,513 hectares, Qingdagou Forest Park includes a pristine forest scenic area, a highland lake cluster stretching from Zhuoma Yongcuo Lake to Luocuo Lake, grassland areas, Pama Ling Scenic Area, Mixi Scenic Area, and features a harmonious blend of forests, grasslands, lakes, streams, and waterfalls.

Due to the dramatic terrain that influences the local climate, significant variations in hydrothermal conditions occur, nurturing diverse forest vegetation and displaying a vertical distribution of plant species ranging from warm temperate zones to cold…

…and even frigid zones. The forest boasts a spectacular array of species, serving as a modern distribution center for alpine pines. It’s so vast that it would take three days on foot to reach its edge, making it a truly enchanting place to explore.

　Qingdagou is home to many highland lakes. The famous Zhuoma Yongcuo (Fairy Lake), at an altitude of just 2,700 meters, features crystal-clear waters and lush green shores year-round, living up to its name as a picturesque "green mountain and blue water" destination. It is said to be the home of a beautiful fairy, surrounded by magical legends. Boating on the lake or resting in the surrounding primeval forest offers a unique and delightful experience. At the lake’s outlet lies a large waterfall, whose roaring sound can be heard from afar—often you hear it before you see it. Beside the waterfall is a vast area of mud forest, where some formations resemble tour guides, known as the “Fairy Pointing the Way,” while others look like elders standing atop the hill, dubbed the “Five Elders Peak.” Above the mud forest is a massive sinkhole, with its bottom and surroundings covered in pine trees. It’s often frequented by musk deer and deer, as well as herds of sika deer, earning it the nickname “Deer Mountain.”

Above the lakeshore lies a pristine poplar forest, where many trees have trunks over two meters in diameter, creating a dense canopy that stretches for three kilometers. A stream winds through the forest, its shimmering waters resembling a white hada (traditional Tibetan scarf). Stepping into the forest gives you a feeling of returning to nature, awakening a deep sense of primal wildness.

From Zhuoma Yongcuo Lake, you can ride a horse along the creek and slowly walk through the forest to Taibai Village. To the left of the village are vast hillsides covered with tall, robust oak trees, some too thick for a single person to hug. Sunlight filters through the dense foliage, and the trees are covered with “woolly fluff” that sways in the wind, resembling the veils on the faces of Arabian maidens or the long beards of old men who seem to tell tales of the ages to every visitor. Below the oak grove lies the primeval forest, with massive tree trunks—some hollowed out in the middle—where visitors can take shelter from wind and rain. Here, you truly experience the “pristine” essence of a primeval forest.

The Pama Ling Scenic Area of the park is shrouded in mystery. From Danguzi Village (Horse Head Village), cross the Wolong River, pass through a grassy field, and you’ll come across a waterfall that closely resembles the Water Curtain Cave described in Journey to the West. After the waterfall, ride a horse uphill through the fragrant, bird-filled primeval forest to reach Pama Ling Monastery. There, the sounds of bells and drums resonate, incense wafts through the air, and rows of golden prayer wheels stand in place. On the mountainside beside the monastery lies Nairi Mountain (Fairy Mountain), which is steeped in religious stories and legends. Climbing Nairi Mountain, you can gaze at the snow-capped Gongga Mountain and Dapao Mountain (Yala Mountain). At sunrise, the two peaks shine like golden mountains; as the sun rises higher and clouds gather, they transform into silver mountains. Pama Ling is also an exceptional spot to witness Buddhist halos—when they appear, you might even see reflections of yourself in various forms. When mist flows in together from Bajiaolou Valley and Mixi Valley, the misty Pama Ling resembles the Mona Lisa in a painting—an absolutely breathtaking sight.

The Gesigou Nature Reserve within the park is primarily dedicated to protecting wildlife such as the Sichuan partridge and Lady Amherst’s pheasant, as well as their natural habitats. The reserve is densely forested, with babbling streams, fresh air, and a tranquil environment where humans and animals coexist peacefully. It’s a perfect destination for leisure and summer retreats.