Guangdong Tianjing Mountain National Forest Park

Guangdong Tianjing Mountain National Forest Park

Guangdong Tianjing Mountain National Forest Park is a national AAA-level tourist attraction and a national-level forest park.

Established in October 2002 with approval from the Guangdong Provincial Forestry Bureau, Guangdong Tianjing Mountain National Forest Park was upgraded to a national-level forest park in December 2008 through national forestry administrative licensing. Known as the "Cool Fairyland and Summer Palace of South China," the park is situated in the northwest of Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County, Shaoguan City, at the southern foot of the Wuling branch of the Nanling Mountains, covering a total area of 5,593 hectares. The park’s service center, Tianjing Mountain Forest Farm, is 37 kilometers away from Ruyuan County town and the Ruyuan exit of the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway. National Highway 323 runs through the center of the park, providing very convenient transportation. To the east are Danxia Mountain and Nanhua Temple, to the south is the Ruyuan Grand Canyon, to the west are Chengjia Hot Springs and the Lianzhou Underground River, and to the north it neighbors the Nanling National Forest Park, giving it excellent geographical advantages.

Tianjing Mountain National Forest Park features undulating mountains, winding valleys, vast water bodies, lush forests, fragrant flowers and birdsong, and fresh air. It houses the province’s highest FM TV transmission station, as well as a series of environmentally elegant, well-planned, properly managed, and highly efficient cascade small hydropower stations. The park boasts large expanses of mid-subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and abundant wildlife resources, making it one of Guangdong’s largest natural botanical gardens and species treasure troves. With its excellent forest ecological environment and promising tourism development prospects, Tianjing Mountain Forest Park has been included by Ruyuan County as a key tourism area in its recently implemented tourism-driven county development project. It has also been listed by the provincial tourism bureau as part of the four-hour leisure tourism circle and among the best travel routes. It is a national forest park that integrates eco-leisure, sightseeing, scientific research, and science education.

Tianjing Mountain Forest Park currently consists of eight major scenic areas: the Eight Bridges Spring Scenic Area, Niuping Mountain Adventure Scenic Area, Gujie Cave Mountain Village Scenic Area, Tongqiao Forest Science Popularization Scenic Area, Tianqun Eco-Leisure Scenic Area, Tianjing Mountain Alpine Dwarf Forest Scenic Area, Daping Karst Cave Scenic Area, and the Park Tourism Center Management Area. Each scenic area showcases a unique style and distinct character, fully demonstrating the boundless charm of Tianjing Mountain Forest Park.

The rich and dense forest resources and natural environment of Tianjing Mountain Forest Park serve as a natural paradise for rare birds and animals, earning it the reputation of being a dazzling "green pearl" of the south. The park’s forests include primeval forests, natural secondary forests, montane dwarf forests, bamboo thickets, and plantations, among which the natural broad-leaved forests cover over 200,000 mu, making it an important "gene bank" for biodiversity and species conservation in the Nanling region. The park is home to 2,572 species of vascular plants from 946 genera and 216 families. It also boasts a rich and diverse range of wildlife, including nationally protected species such as pythons, Tibetan macaques, pangolins, black bears, sambar deer, large Indian civets, small Indian civets, and silver pheasants—making it an ideal habitat for wildlife.

Tianjing Mountain also preserves many ancient historical sites, including the Xihua Temple, which shares origins with Nanhua Temple but was later destroyed in war; the Xijing Ancient Road, one of the main transportation routes connecting southern Guangdong to the Central Plains from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the early Tang Dynasty (713–741 AD); and the Qin-Han Ancient Road, one of the historic routes facilitating exchanges between Lingnan and northern regions. These historical sites hold significant archaeological value.

The dense forests, numerous streams, fresh air, and elevation of over 700 meters at Tianjing Mountain Forest Park keep the average daily temperature between 17–20°C throughout the year. Even in the height of summer, cool breezes bring a refreshing and comfortable climate. Known as the "Cool Fairyland and Summer Palace of South China," it is an ideal destination for urban dwellers to escape the heat and enjoy a cool, leisurely summer retreat.

The eco-tourism offerings of Tianjing Mountain National Forest Park focus on returning to nature, ecological science education, summer retreats, self-driving tours, and dining and accommodation services. The main target audiences include government departments and institutions at all levels, white-collar workers, primary and secondary school students, and consumers from large and medium-sized cities. Currently, adhering to a scientific development outlook and an eco-conservation-oriented business philosophy, the park is accelerating the development and construction of its various scenic areas, aiming to establish Tianjing Mountain as a uniquely featured forest park that integrates eco-leisure, sightseeing, conference reception, scientific research, and science education. We warmly welcome your visit!(By Li Yuanxue)

Address: Tianjing Mountain Forest Farm, Ruyuan County, Shaoguan City, Guangdong Province

Type: Fruit Picking / Agritainment / Mountain Forest

Recommended Visit Duration: About 1 hour

Phone: 0751-5468388; 0751-5463111

Official Website: http://www.gdtjs.cn/

Opening Hours:

Ecological Corridor Scenic Area: Ascent 9:00–10:00, 13:30–14:30; Descent 11:30–12:30, 16:00–18:00. Yunjin Azalea Scenic Area: Ascent 9:00–10:00, 13:30–14:30; Descent 11:30–12:30, 16:00–18:00.

Ticket Information:

Free admission. The forest park is open to the public free of charge. Entrance to the Natural Science Museum within the park: 15 RMB.

Information Source: Guangdong Provincial State-owned Forest Farm Service Center