Qianjiangyuan Forest Park

　　Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park is located in Kaihua County, at the source of the Qiantang River — the mother river of Zhejiang. The park features undulating peaks, narrow valleys with steep slopes, rugged cliffs, cascading waterfalls, murmuring streams, ever-changing clouds and mist, towering ancient trees, lush forests, and a rich diversity of rare birds and animals. It boasts abundant natural and cultural resources. The park consists of scenic areas such as Lianhuatang, Zhuomakeng, Lianhuaxi, Shuihu, and Fenglou, covering a total area of 4,500 hectares.

　　Majestic Rocks and Precipitous Cliffs

　　The park features undulating mountain ranges, with its highest peak, Lianhua Jian, standing at 1,136.8 meters. There are 25 peaks within the park that exceed 1,000 meters in elevation, accounting for 54% of all such peaks in the county. The grandeur of the mountains, the clustered peaks, the crisscrossing valleys, the dense bamboo forests, and the ever-changing forest landscapes form the fundamental framework of the park’s scenery.

　　Waterfalls, Emerald Pools, and the Beauty of the River Source

　　The park contains dozens of streams and mountain springs that gush forth from the crisscrossing valleys. The flow varies with the terrain — sometimes swift, sometimes gentle; sometimes a stream, sometimes an emerald pool; sometimes a waterfall plunging down, sometimes lake waters gently rippling... If the majestic mountains form the structural skeleton of the entire forest park, then the diverse and vibrant water features add life and energy to the park. Major water attractions include: the Three-Tiered Waterfall and Shuizhawan Waterfall at Chuan Cangtou in the Lianhuatang Scenic Area, the Jishang Flying Waterfall, and Lianhuatang; the Hundred-Zhang Waterfall, Immortal Pool, and Tianzi Lake in the Zhuomakeng Scenic Area; the Nine Waterfalls and Eighteen Pools, Qianlong Pool, Hidden Dragon Waterfall, Luosi Pool, and Sanxing Pool in the Fenglou Scenic Area; and the Qixi Reservoir and Gourd Waterfall in the Shuihu Scenic Area. A poem praises the Qixi Reservoir: “High gorges of Qixi give rise to a level lake, surrounded by green peaks reflecting on azure waves. The crystalline waters teem with fish and rice, like a string of pearls shimmering across the Majin River.”

　　Lush Forests, Ancient Trees, and Blooming Mountain Flowers

　　The forest park is extremely rich in forest resources. Many areas still retain vast expanses of pristine secondary forests. With high mountains, dense woods, and ancient towering trees, the forest coverage rate reaches as high as 97.55%. Preliminary surveys indicate there are 720 species of woody plants from 287 genera and 98 families, along with a large number of ferns, vines, and grasses, making it a natural biological gene bank. At the same time, the vegetation distribution shows distinct regional characteristics, making it a rare and excellent site for scientific research.

　　Surging Clouds and Mysterious Skies

　　The park enjoys a climate characterized by “year-round clouds and mist, cool summers, pleasant springs and autumns, and relatively warm winters,” making it a popular summer retreat. The park also offers marvelous atmospheric phenomena such as sunrise over the sea of clouds, sunset glow, rainbows after rain, and landscapes draped in silver or white.

　　The forest park has numerous attractions, mainly including:

　　Qixi Dam (the First Dam at the Source of the Qiantang River)

　　The high and narrow Qixi Gorge gives rise to a level lake, thanks to the Qixi Hydropower Station dam. The dam is 56 meters high, with a crest length of 156.4 meters. The reservoir has a catchment area of 182.5 square kilometers and a water surface area of 2.18 square kilometers. The normal water storage level is at an elevation of 290 meters, and the spillway section is at 280 meters. The installed power generation capacity is 14,600 kilowatts, making it a monumental achievement in Kaihua County’s hydropower history. During the wet season, when the floodgates are opened, water rushes out like four long dragons leaping from the top of the dam, forming a parabolic arc in the air before transforming into snow-white spray scattered everywhere — a majestic sight accompanied by thunderous roars.

　　Dragon Mountain Divine Spring

　　Originating from the valley of Dalong Mountain, the spring has a drop of 112 meters and flows continuously year-round. In the wet season, it resembles a silvery ribbon hanging straight down the valley. The valley is elegant, the rocks are beautiful, the spring water is clear, and the forest is lush.

　　Flying Sky Waterfall

　　With a drop of about 120 meters and formed by four tiers, the waterfall cascades down in a mix of drifting, dangling, breaking, and hanging flows. The waterfall’s mouth is hidden behind a huge horizontally suspended cliff, like a mysterious heavenly gate whose origin seems unfathomable — as if the waters of the Qiantang River come from the heavens. At the top, only mist and drizzle shroud the view, while at the bottom lies a crystal-clear pool surrounded by natural stone steps where visitors can sit and admire the view.

　　Ancient Pine Listening to the Sound

　　About 100 meters from the waterfall lies a flat and tidy stone beach, with red and white colors intermingling. A spring trickles across the beach, covering an area of 400 square meters. In the center stands a towering 20-meter-high pine tree with a girth of 1 meter. Leaning against the pine, one can hear the murmuring sound of the waterfall. The Boat Cangtou Waterfall Group

　　Located at Lianhua Jian, along the valley are three-tiered waterfalls with drops of 30 meters, 12 meters, and 22 meters respectively. They are not far apart, with large water volumes and clear water, making them a must-visit spot on the journey to explore the river’s source.

　　Hundred-Zhang Magic Cliff

　　Located in Zhuomakeng, this cliff is 200 meters high. Looking down, the rock face is sheer and the depth is unfathomable.

　　Nine Waterfalls and Eighteen Pools

　　Stretching from Fenglou Tian to the entrance of the Immortal Valley, this section is less than a kilometer long. Originating from the same source, it features nine waterfalls with drops of over 10 meters each, all with unique forms.

　　Linked Waterfall Group

　　This is the highlight of the scenery in the Fenglou Scenic Area, located in the Immortal Valley. Six waterfalls with drops ranging from 10 to 31 meters follow one after another. Towering peaks rise on both sides, shaded by dense trees, creating a cool and pleasant atmosphere. Some are known for their serenity, others for their height, and some for their beauty — each showcasing its own charm.

　　Hidden Dragon Wall

　　A walk of about a li along Longwu will take you past two waterfalls to the bottom of the valley, where you’ll see a steep cliff face about 100 meters high and 30 meters wide standing before you. At the top of the cliff, two springs trickle down the rock face, as if two dragons were lying close against the wall. At the base lies a flat stone platform that could be slightly modified to form a large pool. Lush trees on both sides provide a tranquil environment—cool and pleasant in the heat of summer, and in winter, when frozen, the waters from the cliff freeze into dozens of meters-long icicles, hanging like bead curtains—an extraordinary and unique sight.

　　Qianlong Pool

　　It is one of the Eighteen Pools scenic area within the Fenglou Scenic Zone. The stream is flanked by steep cliffs and ancient trees that block out the sun, forming a pot-shaped valley entrance with both waterfalls and pools, where the waterfall and pool complement each other. The sound of the waterfall is like thunder or drums, audible over a kilometer away. The pool is so deep that its bottom is invisible, revealing only a body of emerald-green, clear spring water, which folklore refers to as the Dragon Pool.

　　Qianjiangyuan Forest Park is characterized mainly by being “the source of the Qianjiang River, with lush and ancient forests, majestic peaks and flying waterfalls, complemented by cultural elements.” As the poem goes: “Crystal-clear waters rush into the sea; the Qianjiang River traces its origin here for a thousand li. The dense old woods are full of natural charm, and this pristine scenery awaits visitors.” As the source of the Qiantang River, the forest park holds a unique allure and boasts a rich, distinctive local character. It is a comprehensive forest park integrating tourism, summer retreats, convalescence and fitness, scientific research, and educational purposes.