Taihang Longquan National Forest Park

Taihang Longquan National Forest Park

Taihang Longquan National Forest Park is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a national forest park.

Longquan National Forest Park is located within the four townships of Baoze, Tongyu, Matian, and Zecheng, situated 10–35 kilometers southeast of Zuoquan County. Stretching 5.4 kilometers from east to west and 45 kilometers from north to south, the park covers a total area of 360,000 acres. It features 87 scenic spots including mountains, water bodies, forests, springs, caves, rocks, temples, and shrines. The Qingzhang River and National Highway 207 run through the area from north to south, offering superior conditions.

Scenic Spot Introduction

Based on the characteristics of its natural landscapes and cultural attractions, the park can be roughly divided into four scenic areas:

The first scenic area is located within a 12-square-kilometer radius around Longyao Temple, about 1 kilometer from the park entrance. Surrounded by mountains, this area boasts lush forests, fertile grasslands, crystal-clear springs, and birdsong everywhere. It features as many as 26 scenic spots. The highlight is the Longyao Temple complex, built during the Northern and Southern Dynasties and nestled inside a cliffside cave. Other attractions include the Ten Dragons Temple from the Tang Dynasty, Longdong Waterfall, sliding rock bonsai, and mist-covered peaks. The Longyao Temple cave is 50 meters high, 36 meters wide, and 51 meters deep. It originally had three levels of courtyards with over 30 rooms, each housing Buddha statues. At the top is a "skyline crack" with faintly visible inscriptions, known as the "divine dragon’s manifestation." As early as the 1920s, an American missionary preached here for over a decade and even raised a family. In the early 1980s, he revisited the site, calling it his second home and providing old photos of Longyao Temple. Legend has it that this was the retreat of Huang Feihu, the God of War in the Shang Dynasty, after being deified, and many mysterious tales are associated with it. At the foot of the temple cliffs lies Lingquan Cave, which forms a 20-meter-high Lingquan Waterfall. The cave is shrouded in mist and unfathomably deep. Not far away is Wolong Pool, whose mirror-like waters reflect the surrounding mountain shapes, resembling dragons playing in the water. Surrounded by cliffs, the area is incredibly serene. It is said to have strong geomagnetic and geoelectric fields, making it an ideal spot for qigong practice.

The second scenic area is atop the cliffs near Longyao Temple. This is the highest elevation in the park, offering views of the vast Taihang Mountains. The rolling green landscape resembles a lush barrier, while ancient pines and cypress trees seem to soar between the cliffs. Vast stretches of verdant valleys look like emerald carpets, evoking a sense of nature’s grandeur and openness. Attractions here include the "Bottomless Cave" where Sun Wukong subdued demons, the "Zhou Family Tomb" where King Wen of Zhou feigned defeat in the Qianmu Valley, as well as the "Little Skywell," "Fairy Bridge," and "Dragon Colt Rock." The area is home to Class I protected species like the brown eared pheasant, Class II protected animals such as the Temminck’s tragopan and leopard, as well as medicinal herbs like Wu Ling Zhi and numerous other traditional Chinese medicinal plants. An amusement park and viewing pavilions are planned for future development.

The third scenic area is located at the southern end of the forest park. Towering cliffs rise abruptly, as if carved by knives and axes, featuring prehistoric cliff paintings. Following a 2-kilometer stone path along the cliffs leads to the Ma Wu and Cen Peng mountain strongholds. The surrounding peaks are bizarre, with countless rocks creating a primordial and untamed atmosphere. Legend has it that during the Eastern Han Dynasty, General Ma Wu, humiliated in a duel with Wang Mang, stormed out of the imperial examination grounds in Chang’an, fled to the Taihang Mountains, and established his stronghold here due to its defensible terrain. Later, when Emperor Guangwu of Han, Liu Xiu, was captured by Wang Mang and escorted back to Chang’an, he passed by the stronghold, leading to the legendary "Taihang Rescue" battle where rolling logs and boulders defended the mountain. Today, remnants of the stronghold remain, along with the "Shock-Relieving Stone" and "Drinking Platform" where Liu Xiu rested. Exiting the mountain pass, across the river lies "Painted Buddha Rock," a rare water-eroded petroglyph. After years of water erosion, the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva sitting in meditation emerged, along with faint inscriptions like "Prosperity Together," making it highly valuable for sightseeing and historical research.

The fourth scenic area is a revolutionary memorial site in the Matian Town area. During the War of Resistance, the Eighth Route Army’s forward headquarters was located here and is now preserved as a museum. Nearby are also the former residences of key figures, the Northern Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party, the Taihang Party Committee, the former site of the Xinhua Daily, and over 20 cultural landmarks for revolutionary education, including the "Taihang News Martyrs Memorial Hall" and the "Zuoquan Sacrifice Memorial Pavilion." The natural scenery here is also unique. Rolling mountains such as Saxun Mountain, Wu Jun Mountain, Rabbit Mountain, Turtle Mountain, Monkey Mountain, Rooster Mountain, Doghead Mountain, Tigerhead Mountain, and Camel Mountain are interconnected, each vividly shaped and rich in legends passed down through generations. For example, Camel Mountain is said to be the incarnation of a celestial deity who crushed a local turtle demon underfoot. Today, the camel’s humps stand prominently on the mountain, while the turtle demon’s form can still be faintly seen at the base, creating a moving sight. Overall, Longquan’s scenery blends the rugged grandeur of northern China with the delicate beauty of the south, encompassing the elegance of Huangshan, the peril of Huashan, the majesty of Taishan, and the steepness of Lushan. Among the forest parks in Shanxi Province, it stands out as the finest.

Scenic Spot Location

Longquan National Forest Park is located within the four townships of Baoze, Tongyu, Matian, and Zecheng, situated 10–35 kilometers southeast of Zuoquan County.