Pangquangou Nature Scenic Area

Pangquangou Nature Scenic Area

Pangquangou Scenic Area, a national nature reserve, is located in the heart of Guandi Mountain, 100 kilometers northwest of Jiaocheng County, Lüliang. Situated in the midsection of the majestic Lüliang Mountains, Pangquangou is a well-preserved green treasure in the vast Loess Plateau and the source of Wenxiu River, one of Shanxi’s major rivers. Pangquangou mainly protects China’s unique and globally rare brown eared pheasant and its habitat. The nature reserve features high mountains, dense forests, crisscrossing valleys, beautiful scenery, and a pleasant climate.

Pangquangou Scenic Area is a forest ecological nature reserve primarily dedicated to protecting the brown eared pheasant, a Class I nationally protected wild animal. It is one of Shanxi’s main forested areas, covering four townships and two state-owned forest farms, with a total area of 157,000 mu and a forest coverage rate of 74%. The area has high mountains, dense forests, and crisscrossing valleys, making it an ideal habitat for wildlife. Currently, there are over 2,000 brown eared pheasants, a Class I nationally protected wild animal, living in the scenic area.

Pangquangou is the native habitat of the North China larch and features a mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest dominated by North China larch and Chinese pine. In addition to larch, there are also species such as white elm, white birch, and poplar. The trees are well-aligned with high timber yield per unit area, making it the most economically valuable forested area in Shanxi. The area also boasts abundant wild plant resources, including a large number of medicinal plants such as codonopsis, astragalus, licorice, calamus, forsythia, platycodon, and bupleurum.

Without visiting Pangquangou, it is hard to appreciate the antiquity, vastness, and mystery of a primeval forest; once you are there, even the urban landscapes seem dull in comparison.

The beauty of Pangquangou lies in its simplicity and natural charm, untouched by any artificial carving. The fresh and pure air embraces and nurtures every visitor who comes from afar; the blue sky, the earth, and the hills are pristine and spotless, a delight to the eyes; the murmuring streams flow gently, like slender fingers bringing a sense of life’s tranquility to travelers; the ancient and solemn primeval forest stands like rows of soldiers ready for battle, emitting deep and reverent roars; the towering pines and cypresses, graceful birches, and lush shrubs stretch their branches toward the sky as if dancing, creating moving and breathtakingly beautiful scenes; the uniquely shaped rugged rocks maintain an ancient ruggedness and strength, forming wonders that seem crafted by the hands of gods; perhaps because this enchanting Pangquangou is too serene and peaceful, the cool mountain waterfalls, though not spectacular, joyfully and passionately rush forth, splashing beads of water and scattering musical notes. The valley echoes, vibrates, and beats, playing extraordinary heavenly music, making visitors feel as if they are in a fairyland.

Pangquangou Scenic Area features perilous peaks, unique scenery, and continuous mountain springs, attracting visitors with its highly scenic natural and cultural landscapes. Inside the mountain, there are "Xiaowen Ancient Stele," "Sunrise at Cloud Summit," "Sunset of the Lion," "Auspicious Air at Heaven’s Gate," "Radiance of the Writing Desk," "Evening Greenery of the Cultural Source," "Dragon Spring Waterfall," and "Ancient Tree Pagoda," forming the "Eight Major Sceneries" of Pangquangou—colorful and dreamlike.

Address: Chengguan, Jiaocheng County, Lüliang City, Shanxi Province