Liangping Dongshan National Forest Park

　　Liangping Dongshan is a national forest park and a national science education base. It is situated southeast of Liangping County in Chongqing, about 180 kilometers from downtown Chongqing and 60 kilometers from Wanzhou. The Yu-Yi Expressway and National Highway 318 run through the scenic area. It is a natural scenic area that combines forest and lake landscapes. Dongshan, historically known as Gaoliang Mountain, is part of the Daba Mountain Range and was named for its location east of the Liangping Basin. In 2001, it was officially approved by the State Forestry Administration as Dongshan National Forest Park.

　　The total area of Liangping Dongshan Forest Park is 3,780 hectares. The scenic area features dense forest vegetation with a rich variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses, and is characterized by an integrated landscape of mountains, water, and forests. It embodies the qualities of “majesty, wonder, beauty, serenity, and wilderness,” and offers a blend of peaks, pools, waterfalls, lakes, mist, caves, and forests in the outskirts of Chongqing. It is renowned for its grand mountains, unique forests, exquisite waters, mysterious caves, mystical mists, and a harmonious integration of natural scenery with mountain fortress culture, temple culture, historical legends, modern orchards, and ecological and humanistic elements. It is an important part of the “Yangtze River Three Gorges International Golden Tourism Belt.” The park hosts 135 plant families, 363 genera, and 492 species, including a wide variety of ornamental plants in addition to numerous woody and herbaceous species, creating a captivating landscape of wild fruits, colorful foliage, and rare flowers. The favorable ecological environment provides an ideal habitat for wildlife, with over 10 species of mammals, more than 100 species of birds, over 10 species of reptiles, and a large number of forest insects.

　　With numerous ancient mountain fortress ruins, it has become a cultural corridor of fortress heritage in Liangping and even Chongqing. Liangping Dongshan serves not only as an important site for scientific research, camping, and education but also as a destination for eco-tourism, leisure, summer retreats, adventure sports, and health retreats. Major attractions include: Gaoliang Soaring Greenery, the ruins of the Bodhisattva Summit Temple, watchtowers, Turtle Rock, South City Mist, Shuangbao Fortress, Huayuan Fortress, Anning Fortress, Nanhua Fortress, Luodou Fortress, Panlong Cave (one of the Eight Scenic Spots of Liangshan), Bailian Cave, Laolong Cave, Cliff Spring Waterfall (another of the Eight Scenic Spots of Liangshan), Baozhu Mountain, Hundred Steps Stairway (an ancient post road), Fangweng Gorge, ancient ginkgo trees, huge vitex bushes, Shuanggui Lake, Panlong Lake, Fragrant Valley, and Eden. The Bodhisattva Summit features undulating mountains and towering heights like the clouds, with ancient fortresses and modern military facilities that are both majestic and spectacular. Panlong Cave boasts a network of karst caves, steep cliffs, bizarre rock formations, rare ancient trees, ancient post roads, cliff inscriptions, the coiling dragon cave, cliff spring waterfalls, and a gathering of historical figures who have composed poems in its praise—making it a legendary and mysterious site. The tranquil Dongming Lake is like a bright mirror, reflecting the blue sky, white clouds, steep peaks, and green trees, presenting a scene of breathtaking beauty. The scenic area holds flower appreciation tours from March to April, mountain fortress culture and forest bathing tours from June to September, the Shuanggui Tourism Culture Festival and senior fishing competitions in October, and fruit-picking sightseeing tours (Liangshan pomelo and navel oranges) from November to December.

　　Major Attractions:

　　Gaoliang Soaring Greenery: Located on Dongshan within the scenic area (historically known as “Gaoliang Mountain”), it is one of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Liangshan” and has a history of over 1,400 years. Legend has it that this was a place where dragons and tigers once dwelled. With towering trees and lush greenery stretching to the sky, its emerald hues connect with the heavens, resembling orange clouds hanging from the sky, hence the name “Gaoliang Soaring Greenery.” A poem praises it: “Soaring greenery graces Gaoliang, the eastern hills stretch long and fair. Twenty li of rocky walls, misty shades dye the green expanse.”

　　Bodhisattva Summit: At an elevation of 1,062 meters, it towers into the clouds from afar, shrouded in mystery. From the summit, all other mountains appear small, and the splendid cityscape to the south and the vast, picturesque plains unfold before your eyes. Li Ding wrote in “A Brief Talk on the ‘Eight Scenic Spots of Liangshan’”: “Standing atop the mountain, wrapped in mist and clouds, the fragrance of nature will intoxicate and enchant you. Gazing forward, the mountains, rivers, and landscapes for dozens of li around come into view, with rolling ranges and boundless forests, like dragons playing amid the sea of woods.”

　　Fo Dong Mountain: At an elevation of 742.1 meters, it features steep cliffs and a narrow gorge path leading straight to the mountain’s base. Climbing up feels like ascending to the heavens. The mountain is evergreen with pine and oak trees, and its slopes and cliffs are dotted with peculiar rocks. At the summit, there are also a few rare tall iron-blue pines. There used to be a small temple built during the Qing Dynasty’s Daoguang era, with dozens of stone carvings and statues still in existence. Fo Dong Mountain is surrounded by continuous mountain ranges, with sheer cliffs to the east and west. The panoramic views from the summit are delightful and have long been a popular destination for people of all ages to visit in spring and hike in autumn.

　　Ancient Cave Panlong: One of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Liangshan,” it consists of a water cave and a dry cave. The two caves are arranged vertically, with the water cave flowing year-round with mysterious, unfathomable depths that no one has yet fully explored. The dry cave features “two stones resembling a coiled dragon lying in the water, with scales so lifelike.” The stalactites at the cave entrance resemble a dragon’s tongue, descending almost to the ground, creating a spectacular sight. Inside the cave, stalagmites and stalactites take on various forms, resembling a dragon’s organs—liver, gallbladder, heart—with striking resemblance, as if a dragon were coiled within. An ancient poem reads: “Many sought the flame to explore its wonders, the dark cavern’s illusions frightened the brave, asking elders of seven layers deep, none dared to fully explore its countless mysteries.” During the Three Kingdoms period, the Shu general Zhang Bian once lived in seclusion and practiced Taoism in the cave and was posthumously honored as the “True Man of Beneficence.” The Southern Song poet Lu You passed through here and left behind the legend of his three visits to Panlong Cave.

　　Cliff Spring Waterfall: One of the “Eight Scenic Spots of Liangshan.” The spring water cascades down the Spray Cliff, falling about two to three hundred zhang (approximately several hundred meters), like thousands of white silk ribbons scattering across the sky, magnificent and grand. The Southern Song poet Lu You praised it: “From afar it looks like scattered pearl tassels, up close it roars like thunder, they say the water’s wonders are strange, meant to astonish travelers.” Fan Chengda also called it “the world’s number one waterfall.” Standing before the cliff, one gazes at the Milky Way-like ripples, a heavenly painting, an earthly paradise, instantly washing away the noise of the world and immersing one in nature’s embrace.

　　Ancient Post Road: The only passage from Liangping to Wanxian (now Wanzhou) in the past, the Yangsen Avenue, was first built in the Western Han Dynasty and has a history of 2,000 years. Within Chengdong Township, this ancient post road—the “Ten-Thousand-Meter Green Leisure Corridor”—is still well preserved. The entire road is paved with bluestone slabs, averaging about 1.5 meters in width. It was originally used mainly by porters carrying rice down to Wanxian to trade for salt, and by wealthy individuals riding horses to Wanxian. Today, the people of Liaoyehe have planted tens of thousands of fruit trees along the road, greening the barren hills, adding flowers, setting up pavilions, and building rest stops (guest stations) specifically for urban visitors to enjoy walking tours. Tourists can get exercise while taking in the scenery of Liaoyehe, and can even ride a sedan chair.

　　Qili Gorge Reservoir: Located in Qili Gorge, Chengdong Township, Liangping County, 8 kilometers from Chengdong Township, it can be reached by vehicle or on foot via the “Ten-Thousand-Meter Green Leisure Corridor.” The reservoir’s elevation is 1,000 meters, with a water surface area of 120 mu. The reservoir is surrounded by nearly 10,000 acres of pristine forest and the Qili Gorge Bamboo Sea. At the end of Qili Gorge, there are over 10 households living in primitive dwellings made of earthen walls or wooden plank thatched roofs. Qili Gorge Reservoir boasts beautiful mountains and clear waters, serving as a habitat for various migratory birds and wildlife, as well as a tourist destination for leisure and summer retreats. The main activities in the area currently include fishing, picnicking, hunting, camping, and sightseeing.