Yufengshan Forest Park

　　Chongqing Yufengshan Forest Park is a municipal-level forest park approved by the Chongqing Forestry Bureau and first developed by the People's Government of Yubei District as one of its “Six Major Series Projects.” The park covers a total area of 10 square kilometers and is located in the southeastern part of Yubei District (behind Tieshanping), 23 kilometers from downtown Chongqing. The elevation of Yufengshan Forest Park ranges from 270 to 848.8 meters (with Dingjiazhai on Nanshan, the highest point, at 687 meters). Its national forest coverage spans 18,000 mu, making it currently the largest suburban forest park in Chongqing in terms of forested area and the best-preserved in vegetation. The forest vegetation belongs to the tropical warm temperate evergreen broad-leaved forest zone. The park is home to 326 species of plants and nearly 200 types of wild vegetables and medicinal herbs. Although tigers and leopards have disappeared from the woods, the area still hosts a variety of wildlife such as rabbits, squirrels, pheasants, snakes, and azaleas. The annual average temperature in the park is 17°C, which is about 5°C lower than the urban area year-round.

　　The park is planned to be developed into four functional zones: the Yufengshan Ancient Exploration and Sightseeing Zone, the Damoping Countryside Scenic Zone, the Yuquanhu Lake Forest Tourism & Convention Zone, and the Maple Lake Recreational Resort Zone. It also includes 13 uniquely styled scenic areas and 44 individual attractions such as pavilions, mountain resorts, natural bathing beaches, and botanical flower gardens.

　　Here stands Yufengshan, known as the “Number One Peak of Yubei,” described as “where the wind carries the essence of jade, deep and serene.” On the mountain, remnants of an ancient wall and city gates built with strip stones during the Guangxu era—over 3,000 meters in length—can still be found, including Tianchengzhai and Renhe Gate. Numerous stone Buddha statues atop the peak are faintly visible, and at the center lies a stone pool, said to hold pure water that never dries up throughout the year.

　　At the foot of Yufengshan lies the ancient Yongfo Temple, built in the 27th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign. According to the Jiangbei County Annals, Yongfo Temple was a sacred site for worshipers from the surrounding areas in those days, attracting tens of thousands of devotees at its peak. Related relics include the Pure Bottle Immortal Well, Lotus Pond, and Willow Pool. Although Yongfo Temple no longer exists, historical stone steles, incense burners, and stone statues with documented inscriptions remain.

　　Here you’ll find Maple Lake, Yuquan Lake, and Longdan Pool, all fed by pure spring water from the original valleys—so clean and sweet that locals and visitors often drink directly from them. Tofu pudding made with Yufengshan spring water is said to be far more fragrant than that made with city water.