Dongxia Green Valley

Dongxia Green Valley

Driving 35 kilometers north from Xining along the Ningzhang Highway, beneath the towering Laoye Mountain, cross the No. 1 Bridge of Datong County, and continue along a straight concrete road northeast for 15 kilometers. Suddenly, a natural green barrier appears before your eyes—misty, graceful, and emerald-green like jade. The refreshing verdure makes you feel as if you’ve entered a mythical, dreamlike realm. The undulating mountain ridges appear and disappear amid the uneven green waves, creating the most striking scenery in the plateau’s midsummer, evoking a sense of wonder and longing.

The Yaizi Gully Scenic Area resembles a winding green dragon, meandering opposite Guanghui Temple in Dongxia Town, Datong County. Nestled by the crystal-clear, jade-like waters of the Dongxia River, the area spans 1,633 hectares and is a mixed secondary forest of spruce, birch, and poplar. There are two theories about the origin of the name "Yaizi Gully": one suggests it was named after the numerous falcons that inhabit the dense woods, freely thriving and regarding the area as their paradise. The other theory says a central ridge divides the gully into two valleys, both densely covered with spruce forests that stretch endlessly under the sun. From afar, the area resembles a giant falcon spreading its wings, hence the name. Regardless of the legend, it is indeed a beautiful natural ecological haven.

About 100 meters inside the Yaizi Gully entrance, the path splits into two—one heading directly east, the other turning south. This is the junction of Yaizi Gully and Gasi Gully, locally called the "Golden Triangle." Here, the trees are sparse, and the grass is delicate, forming a unique savannah-like landscape. You’ll immediately notice fragrant wildflowers, pine needles, and the rustling of pine waves, accompanied by the subtle scent of mountain blossoms, filling you with tranquility and a refreshing forest breeze.

The path turning south leads to the main trail of Yaozigou Scenic Area. Along this road, clusters of dense, tall sea buckthorn bushes thrive, lush and vibrant like potted plants scattered throughout. Locals call this unique sight the "Sea Buckthorn Bonsai Garden." In winter and spring, when covered in snow, the branches are laden with golden-yellow fruits, swaying among the green pines and cypresses under the white sunlight, creating a rustic and extraordinary sea buckthorn scene, as if entering an artful bonsai garden.

Wandering through the ever-changing forests of Yaizi Gully, the towering, dense pines act like natural umbrellas, blocking out the sun. Along the winding forest paths, dappled light sparkles, reflecting off the overgrown weeds and vines, casting shimmering silver dots like blooming flowers, adding layers of mystery. Occasionally, a strip of blue sky breaks through the canopy, where intense shadows and white mist intertwine. Just steps apart, one patch of grass basks in sunset glow, while another remains shaded. Below the mountains, the weather is clear and sunny, yet the forest is wrapped in rain and fog. When sudden storms arrive, thunder and lightning make it feel as though thousands of troops are nearby. After the rain clears, sunlight pours in, and the forest trails and lush greenery instantly become fresh and vibrant.

The colorful wild fruits in the shrubs add liveliness and charm to the vast and serene Yaizi Gully. Bottle-shaped sour berries, white-flowered red-seeded ground berries, plums that bloom in May and ripen in July, along with other mountain delicacies like "flour balls" and "falcon beaks," come in vibrant hues and unique flavors. Clusters of chicken crest grass, deer horn vegetables, hair vegetable, and bracken cover the forest floor and grasslands, abundant and easy to find. Chicken crest grass and pigeon beak are unique specialties of Yaizi Gully. Chicken crest grass is a fungus growing among moss—find one, and you’ll likely find a cluster. Mostly pale yellow, they taste delicious. Pigeon beaks resemble the shape and size of a pigeon’s beak, complete with two nostril-like holes, and have a sweet, fragrant taste. Especially delightful are the mushrooms, ranging from ivory-yellow to tender and plump, with various shapes. Local varieties include nail mushrooms, green cap mushrooms, and white mushrooms—over ten types in total—rich in nutrients and delicious in flavor. While exploring, bend down and gather a handful from the grass—it feels like a truly rewarding, bountiful experience.

Standing atop the high observation tower in Yaizi Gully and looking into the distance, the Qilian Mountain snow line stretches endlessly, with floating morning mist and radiant light. To the south, the Huzhu Valley unfolds below, with fertile plains and villages crisscrossed by fields and cottages, vibrant with colorful blooms. The Nankou Gorge Reservoir, seen from afar, resembles a jade-green gem embedded in a field of yellow flowers. Turning back to Datong County, the towering Nainai Mountain peaks rise in the west, with surrounding hills clearly visible. Looking down at the Dongxia Gorge, a river winds like a jade belt around the mountains toward the west. Layers of wheat fields and rapeseed flowers shimmer brilliantly. The Yaizi Gully mountains compete in beauty, with elegant pines and endless greenery. The snow-capped Dabanshan Mountain reflects on the Dongxia Valley. Leaning on the railing, watch the misty clouds drift by, with distant and nearby peaks emerging and disappearing. It feels like floating above a mythical fairy island, a scene straight out of a celestial realm. As the sun sets, golden rays bathe the majestic peaks in a shining glow.

Gazing down at the lush Yaizi Gully, the varying tree species and ages create a rich tapestry of colors—some deep, some light, some dense, some faint. In the distance, the rolling mountains feature abrupt peaks, deep ravines, sudden barriers as if sliced open, and cliffs as if carved by knives, each with bizarre shapes. Some parts of these mountains and ridges appear sharp and clear, others hazy, and some seem to appear and disappear intermittently. Each layer shines with its own brilliance, vividly portraying Yaizi Gully’s landscape of “pines touching the white clouds without end, and forests connecting peaks into rolling green waves.”

Deep within the dense woods of Daquanwo lies a crystal-clear spring, cool, mellow, and as pure as jade—locals call it Dew Spring. If you fill a cup to the brim and drop in a few coins, the water rises above the rim without spilling, leaving onlookers amazed. Nearby, there’s also a serene pond surrounded by ancient trees, with clear waves and vibrant wildflowers. The pond’s surface and surrounding grasslands gather thousands of colorful butterflies. The fluttering butterflies, dazzling in their hues, bring liveliness and magic to the tranquil pine forest.

Yaizi Gully National Forest Park is naturally exquisite, like a graceful maiden emerging from the Dongxia Gorge of Datong. With her unique charm and enchanting aura, she captivates the hearts of travelers from all over. Her beautiful silhouette constantly shines by the emerald valley. Her pure emerald hues flow between the peaks and into the hearts of every visitor.