Longquan Mountain Forest Park

Longquan Mountain Forest Park

Longquan Mountain Forest Park

Longquan Mountain Forest Park, sometimes serene and elegant, tranquil and transcendent; other times roaring with the sound of waves, bustling and lively. No matter the mood, it is an Eden-like paradise in people’s hearts. Approaching the forest, even the most vulgar person becomes gentle and well-behaved, unwilling to disturb the mountain’s lady-like serenity.

The forest park on the outskirts of Meitan is the pride of the locals. It is the lover of the masses, a treasure trove of ecology, and a green botanical garden. The clear plateau rivers Taohua River and Meijiang, like affectionate maidens, selflessly nourish its lush greens and vibrant blooms with their pure springs, accompanying it forever while keeping their love buried deep in their timeless hearts. Even as it grows more handsome and majestic, they willingly let the world share that love. Thus, people step out in the morning dew and sunrise, gathering friends to come to the forest—to listen to the waves, stroll along the streams, pick wildflowers on secluded paths, and turn the forest park into a vibrant playground.

— Clear springs gush forth from fissures in the mountain, sacred and peaceful. Hence the name Longquan (Dragon Spring).

The water of Longquan is among the finest, and when bottled, it becomes drinking water for countless households. Flowing down the mountain, Longquan carves out wells and lakes, adding spirit and charm to the landscape. With this scenery, people have built houses and planted flowers and bamboo by the lake, creating a harmonious and delightful leisure environment. On the flat land by the lake, a sculpture of a soaring roc has been erected, inspiring awe and endless imagination.

— It is a treasure trove of green plants. The mountains are covered with pines and cypresses, interspersed with osmanthus, crabapple, bamboo, and more. Halfway up the mountain are peach and plum orchards and nursery bases. The diverse wild grasses can be used for medicine or as wild vegetables. This is the domain of wild chrysanthemums, blooming in vibrant yellow clusters, naturally and beautifully.

A gentle breeze brings the faint fragrance of flowers. Hiking up the path overgrown with wildflowers, you’ll find a sacred spot. Deep in the woods lies a basketball court. Though dim and lacking a complete hoop, the court’s scale remains, hinting at its former glory. Past the court stands an old wooden building, surprising visitors—who would leave such an old house unrepaired? Getting closer, a wooden sign reveals the truth: this is the former site of Zhejiang University’s Livestock Farm.

This is a weighty piece of history. During the War of Resistance, Zhejiang University, led by President Zhu Kezhen, relocated several times before settling in Zunyi and Meitan, where it operated for seven years. This was the university’s livestock farm, and the wooden building was where students of the Department of Animal Husbandry studied and lived. This quiet place welcomed many distinguished guests. Scientists who once studied here returned to Meitan from afar, standing before the wooden building and pouring out their nostalgia to the structure and the forest. Their youth, their college lives, were all left here. The past hasn’t faded into dust with time—in fact, for them, this place remains a lifelong attachment and love. This wooden building, along with several other cultural sites in our county, carries a unique history. After Zhejiang University left, this became the site of the Meijiang Forest Farm. Later, when the farm moved out, the building stood empty. When nine sites related to Zhejiang University’s westward relocation in our county were collectively approved as National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units, the wooden building gained newfound significance.

The path up the mountain is steep but offers endless scenery. At the mountaintop ridge lies a flat clearing in the woods. Sitting on the soft pine needles, listening to the rustling trees and chirping birds, worries vanish and spirits lift. Down the mountain is the upper reaches of the Taohua River—the Yiquan River—another beautiful world. On either side of the mountain, one path leads to the forestry department’s nursery, where spring blossoms and autumn fruits thrive. The other leads to Tunziyan Tea Slope, where, at the summit, you can overlook the surrounding peaks. The TV transmission tower stands tall, its towering antenna and mysterious control room exuding a unique atmosphere. Many people hike Tunziyan Tea Slope on weekends just to see the TV tower.

Longquan Mountain Forest Park is a provincial-level forest park. Its verdant pines and cypresses are its eternal attire, its red flowers and green leaves its beautiful adornment, its tranquility and depth its noble character, and its vast richness its great essence. It is a green screen for the county town, a feast for the eyes, a stunning landscape painting.

In every season—spring, summer, autumn, or winter—it remains our eternal love.