Dadukou Ecotourism Area

Dadukou Ecotourism Area

The Dadukou Ecotourism Area is located at the northern end of the Caimushan Nature Reserve and the southern edge of the Hunshandake Sandy Land, over 50 kilometers from the county seat. It is where typical grassland, meadow steppe, and sandy land converge, as well as a transitional zone from grassland to forest. The area boasts 350,000 mu of natural forests. The centerpiece of this scenic zone is the Dadukou Tourist Area, with endless sandy land to the north, grassland to the south, and the serpentine-like Snake Skin River and natural forests stretching for dozens of kilometers east and west. The unique terrain and diverse vegetation provide natural conditions for various wild animals to seasonally inhabit and breed.

Snake Skin River: Historical records indicate that the Luan River was anciently called the Ruo River. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, Li Daoyuan referred to this area around Duolun as “Luan Yuan,” meaning the source of the Luan River. Where is the starting point and water conservation area of this abundant water source? Satellite remote sensing images reveal a lush green river winding through the yellow, continuous sandy land in the northeastern part of Duolun, like a green “dragon” swimming beneath the yellow sands. On the surface, it appears to be undulating sandy terrain, but entering the valley reveals a winding river — the Snake Skin River. It is one of the important tributaries of the upper reaches of the Luan River, and Dadukou is one of the crucial areas for conserving its water source and maintaining water quality.

Underground Forest: In the deep gully formed by the downward cutting of the Snake Skin River, approximately 25 kilometers in length, the surface shows rolling sand dunes, but within the river valley lies dense forest. The riverbed hosts trickling streams, and both banks are covered with lush green belts of trees extending from east to west — this is the so-called “Underground Forest” of the Snake Skin River in Duolun. In this underground forest, trees, shrubs, and vines grow intertwined with a rich variety of colorful wildflowers dotting the landscape. Colorful butterflies flutter, birds sing, fragrant flowers bloom, and streams babble, while various wild animals make their homes here. In late autumn, wild fruits such as mountain cherries, hawthorns, and wild apricots hang abundantly from the branches. The Underground Forest of the Snake Skin River is an extremely rare green expanse within the vast sandy land and also a remarkable ecological landscape where sand, water, plants, and animals coexist harmoniously. It is a pristine ecotourism destination awaiting development and utilization.

The Dadukou area mainly features mixed forests of aspen and birch, along with accompanying shrubs and tall trees, covering a forestation rate of 13.6%. The forest plays a significant role in regulating the microclimate of the Duolun region, conserving water sources, and preserving soil and water. Additionally, this natural forest produces abundant nutritious wild fruits such as mountain apricots, hazelnuts, autumn pears, hawthorns, sea buckthorn, and mountain cherries. It is also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, roe deer, Mongolian gazelles, wolves, rabbits, and squirrels, as well as numerous bird species such as pheasants, wild geese, eagles, partridges, great bustards, grey cranes, swans, and larks — too many to count.

Pine Tree Pit: On either side of Dadukou are two places commonly known as the Eastern and Western Pine Tree Pits. Legend has it that in ancient times, vast pine forests thrived here, but a massive mountain fire burned them all down. Due to the collection of mountain water in these two deep pits, over 200 pine trees survived. Another theory suggests the role of migratory birds — the mountain waters attract these long-distance travelers to rest and drink, and through their droppings, they disperse seeds brought from afar, eventually forming small pine groves.

According to expert research, the surviving pines are “sandhill spruce,” a nationally rare species known as a living fossil. They provide physical specimens for studying the geological changes and biological evolution of Duolun County.

Surrounding the Pine Tree Pit, the landscape is distinctive. Hundreds of sandhill spruce trees form a cohesive unit clearly demarcated from the surrounding environment. From the grassland, they are entirely invisible, but upon climbing to the mountaintop, you find yourself standing above a vast, deep expanse of mysterious pine forest. Alongside the surprise it brings, you can’t help but marvel at the wonders crafted by ancient nature.