Guancen Mountain

Guancen Mountain

Guancen Mountain is a national-level forest park.

Guancen Mountain National Forest Park is located in Dongzhai Town, Ningwu County, Shanxi Province, encompassing parts of counties such as Wuzhai, Shenchi, Kelan, and Jingyue. It includes regions such as Dashidong, Qiuqiangou, Majiazhua, Gaoqiaowa, Yanjiacun, and parts of Huaida Forest Farm, spanning a total area of about 44,330 hectares, with forests covering 50% of the land. Situated at the southern end of the Guancen Mountain range, the park covers an area of 651,600 mu. In September 1992, approved by the Ministry of Forestry, Guancen Mountain National Forest Park was established within the operating area of the Guancen Mountain Forest Management Bureau. The park’s jurisdiction includes areas from Dashidong, Qiuqiangou, Majiazhua, Gaoqiaowa, Huaida, Yanjiacun Forest Farms, and parts of the Luya Mountain National Nature Reserve. Stretching 42 kilometers from north to south and 22 kilometers from east to west, the park has a total area of 44,230 hectares, with 22,700 hectares of forest. The total timber volume accounts for 40% of the Guancen forest region, approximately 2.08 million cubic meters, and the comprehensive forest coverage reaches 73.7%. The park boasts abundant flora and fauna. Spruce and North China larch are densely concentrated, earning it the reputations of “Home of Spruce” and “Homeland of North China Larch.” There are 152 species of wild animals, including 36 species of mammals and 116 species of birds, among which inhabit first-class nationally protected animals such as the brown eared-pheasant, leopard, sika deer, and golden eagle. Green edible resources such as forest mushrooms and bracken are also extremely rich. The park features towering high mountains, uniquely shaped peaks, continuous mountain ranges stretching thousands of miles, picturesque landscapes, and over 50 tourist attractions such as Luya Dripping Emerald, Fen Source Lingzhao, Elephant Trunk Pot, Tianchi (Heavenly Lake), Ten Thousand Year Ice Cellar, Ten Thousand Buddha Cave, Little Hanging Temple, and Guancen Mountain. It is a national-level forest tourism destination composed of rugged mountains, unique peaks, forests, lakes, and rare wildlife.

The climate in the park is cold in winter and cool in summer and autumn. The mountains are majestic and the scenery is beautiful. The highest peak, Wolongyang, stands at an elevation of 2,603 meters, where the Fen River and Sanggan River originate. The vegetation here is relatively intact, with dense forests, mostly consisting of natural secondary forests, along with some sparse forests, shrublands, and young forests, exhibiting typical characteristics of the North China plant community. The park is home to about 560 species of wild plants, including over 60 species of woody plants and more than 500 species of herbaceous plants. The main tree species are North China larch and spruce, whose forest landscapes are highly renowned in Shanxi Province and North China, earning the titles “Homeland of Spruce” and “Home of North China Larch.” The area is rich in medicinal plants and also hosts precious wild animals such as the brown eared-pheasant.

The entire national forest park is composed of seven major scenic areas, each with distinct scenery, unique flavors, and distinctive characteristics. These include the Luya Mountain Scenic Tourism Area, Heyeping Subalpine Meadow Ecological Zone, Tianchi (Heavenly Lake) Mountain Lake Tourism Area, Huangcaoliang Geological Scenic Area, Fen Source Secondary Forest Scenic Area, Censhan Fault Geological Sightseeing Area, and Lianhuapan Precious Animal Observation Area. Within these sightseeing zones, there are approximately 50 scenic spots. The areas feature beautiful mountains and clear waters, stunning landscapes, fresh air, birdsong, floral fragrance, and misty clouds. Luya Mountain, the most famous peak in Shanxi, rises like a bamboo shoot piercing the sky. The park is also a free kingdom for wildlife. It hosts over 60 species of woody plants, more than 500 species of herbaceous plants, 36 species of wild mammals, and 116 species of birds. Among the mammals are sika deer, musk deer, leopard, golden eagle, and roe deer. Among the birds, in addition to beautiful species such as cuckoos, mandarin ducks, stone martens, Eurasian sparrowhawks, golden pheasants, and black storks, the world’s rare bird and first-class nationally protected animal—the brown eared-pheasant—also inhabits the area.

Over the past decade since its establishment, Guancen Mountain National Forest Park has adhered to the principles of deepening reform and expanding opening up, using openness to promote development. Development and construction have proceeded simultaneously, enabling a swift transition from a closed-type to an open-type park, and from simple forestry production to a combined focus on tourism and conservation with comprehensive development and utilization. The park’s infrastructure construction and the development of scenic areas and attractions have significantly accelerated, and its reputation has grown steadily. In 1995, Guancen Mountain National Forest Park was awarded the honorary title of “Top Ten Forestry Construction Units” by the People’s Government of Shanxi Province. In 1997, it was recognized as one of the “National Top Ten Model Forest Parks” by the former Ministry of Forestry. In 1999, Luya Mountain was named a “Provincial Youth Patriotic Education Base” by the provincial government due to its unique and rich landscapes, and was included in the book Selection of Patriotic Education Bases in Shanxi Province. In December of the same year, it was approved by the State Council to be elevated to a national nature reserve.

Due to the park’s abundant tourism resources, it has now formed a tourism network with other renowned attractions such as the Buddhist holy site Mount Wutai, the Yungang Grottoes in Datong, the Wooden Pagoda in Ying County, the Hanging Temple in Hengshan, and the Yuwang Cave in Xinzhou.

Major scenic areas include:

Luya Mountain Scenic Tourism Area. Based on the Luya Mountain Nature Reserve, the area uses Bingkouwa as its “spine,” with the Qinglian River flowing north into Wuzhai and the Wujiagou River flowing south into the Fen River. It is rich in flora and fauna and features numerous historical sites. The area contains nine major natural attractions, including Jialvshi, Hulin Laoweng, Shihou Hulin, Kanhua Tai, Nantianmen, and Jiangjunshi, as well as the magnificent Prince Hall atop the mountain, surrounded by temples and nunneries, making for an exceptionally beautiful landscape. It is the main component of the forest park.

Heyeping Subalpine Meadow Ecological Zone. Heyeping Mountain is named for its lotus leaf-like shape. The mountaintop features a vast meadow plain of ten thousand mu, said to be the military training ground of the Yang family generals from the Northern Song Dynasty, with relics such as Beijiangtai, Nanjiangtai, Shimashi, and Paomawan. A television transmission tower also stands atop the mountain, and plans are underway to develop tourism activities such as horseback riding, archery, and herding.

Tianchi Mountain Lake Tourism Area. Located in Dongzhuang Township, Ningwu County, this area features the rugged yet beautiful high-mountain lake known as Tianchi (Heavenly Lake). Covering an area of 0.8 square kilometers with a depth of over 10 meters and a water storage capacity of 8 million cubic meters, Tianchi’s waters “do not overflow during prolonged rain nor dry up during droughts, remaining clear as a mirror.” It is a natural destination for fish farming, water sports, and fishing. To the east lie the ruins of Emperor Yang of Sui’s Fenyang Palace, which are being developed into a comprehensive cultural landscape. This is also an excellent subalpine plateau, ideal for developing sports and high-altitude training programs.

Fen Source Secondary Forest Scenic Area. The area is densely forested with neat forest landscapes, beautiful mountains and clear waters, birdsong, and floral fragrance. It is the homeland of North China larch, a unique feature in China. It is also the source of the Fen River, known as “Fen Source Lingzhao.” Gurgling springs burst forth with sounds like striking bells, near the ruins of the Leiming Temple, where the remnants of over 300 buildings can still be faintly seen. Other natural and cultural attractions include the Nangoumiao Waterfall, Huashiban Viewing Platform, underground spring flows, Huodigou Viewing Spot, Shizinao Viewing Platform, Shilaoren (Stone Elder), and a single-tree-piercing-rock formation. There are also newly built facilities such as a high-altitude meteorological station and the Chashang Hydrological Station.

Guancen Mountain Fault Geological Sightseeing Area. Key attractions include: Bazgouwan Oblique Fault, Elephant Trunk Pot, Purple Great Wall, Xiaoshimen Horizontal Fault, Ten Thousand Year Ice, Immortal Cave, Qingzi’an, Dayu’s Order-issuing Platform, and Xiangshui Waterfall. It serves as an ideal high-altitude shooting range and fault geological research area.

Huangcaoliang Glacial Geological Scenic Area. Located in the northern mountain range of Luya Mountain, this area lies within the Quaternary glacial erosion zone. The mountains here are covered in silvery and jade-like ice, glittering brilliantly, with icy peaks everywhere, presenting a spectacular sight.

Lianhuapan Tiger Habitat Observation Area. The presence of Northeast tigers in North China has attracted the attention of experts from China and abroad. Research indicates that approximately five or six Northeast tigers are hidden in the deep mountains and dense forests, often active in an area extending southwest from Beijiangtai through Shanshenmiao, Danangou, to Lianhuapan. Plans are underway to establish a safe observation zone at Lianhuapan to satisfy visitors’ curiosity.

The park’s central town, Dongzhai, is 30 kilometers north of Ningwu Railway Station and 220 kilometers south of Taiyuan. It offers facilities such as hotels, guesthouses, and dance halls to meet travelers’ needs.

Dongzhai Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Ningwu County. Established as Dongzhai Commune in 1958 and upgraded to a town in 1984. Located in the central-western part of the county, 30 kilometers from the county seat, it covers an area of 184 square kilometers with a population of 12,000. The town is accessible by road. It administers the following villages: Shangluanqiao, Dongzhai, Madigou, Dongshishang, Er--, Nanliangshang, Xiaoxigou, Houjingwugou, Jiangzhuang, Yaozigou, Mogenying, Nanshangshan, Shiyaogou, Heshanggou, Yaowanzhuang, Weijiagou, Yanjialadi, Qianjingwugou, Siergou, Nancha, Shihuigou, Wangjiagou, Gongjiazhuang, Bazgouwan, San--, Tanjiaping, Xialiangqiao, Lijiagedong, CheDaoGou, Dian... Detailed information on Dongzhai Town++