Jinsixia National Forest Park

　　Jinsixia National Forest Park is located in Shangnan County in the southeastern part of Shaanxi Province, under the jurisdiction of Shangluo City. It lies at the southern foot of the Qinling Mountains, extending to the northern slope of the Bashan Mountains, situated in the middle reaches of the Danjiang River, a tributary of the Han River in the Yangtze River basin. The terrain here is undulating, with valleys and ridges interspersed, predominantly characterized by low mountains and hilly landforms. The Danjiang River flows from west to south into Henan and Hubei. Within Shangnan County, the Danjiang River area is divided into two main parts: Danbei (north of Danjiang) and Dankun (south of Danjiang). Danbei is the eastern extension of the Mangling and Liuling mountain ranges, featuring rounded peaks and rolling hills; Dankun lies within the heart of the Xinkailing range, where the mountains are steep, river valleys are deep, water systems are well-developed, forests are dense, flowers and plants are abundant, and vegetation coverage is high, resulting in a beautiful natural environment. The Jinsixia Grand Canyon is located within this area.

　　The Jinsixia Grand Canyon consists of Bailong Gorge, Qinglong Gorge, Heilong Gorge, and Shiyanzhai.

　　Bailong Gorge, commonly known as Qili Gorge or North Gorge. On the left side of the gorge entrance stands Fengshan Mountain, which resembles a phoenix spreading its wings; on the right is Hou Shan (Monkey Mountain), whose peak features a stone monkey — giving rise to the legend of the immortal monkey playing with the phoenix. On the left slope, there is also a peculiar rock that rises abruptly from the ground called the Immortal Rock, also known as the Immortal Peak. The slope is covered with oddly-shaped rocks and hanging vines, creating wonderfully whimsical natural scenery.

　　Qinglong Gorge, commonly referred to as East Gorge, is extraordinarily precipitous. On both sides of the canyon, cliffs rise thousands of feet high, adorned with dangling vines. Even more remarkable are the cliffs on either side, densely covered with precious evergreen trees such as pittosporum, camphor, and hemlock, their lush crowns forming a cool retreat ideal for visitors seeking respite from the summer heat.

　　Heilong Gorge is located at the western end of the grand canyon. Venturing westward through Shiyanzhai leads to the perilous and mysterious Heilong Gorge, which stretches approximately 10 kilometers. Due to the narrow and elongated shape of the canyon, water rushes through stone grooves, swirls in rock pools, and glistens under sunlight like golden threads strung with pearls. This section is known as the Heilong Gorge of Jinsixia, often described as the epitome of both extreme danger and breathtaking beauty. The landscape features of Jinsixia mainly include: deep and narrow valleys, sheer cliffs and perilous peaks, fantastical waterfall clusters, continuous streams and pools, and an atmosphere of pristine seclusion.

　　Shiyanzhai runs from north to south, with cliffs on its east, west, and south sides, leaving only a narrow path on the northern slope. The mountain stronghold is composed of five terraces. The first terrace features towering cliffs on both sides, forming a strategic mountain pass along the ascent. Known as the South Heavenly Gate, the main stronghold is on the second terrace, a sacred site of Taoism. It enshrines the True Martial Ancestor; during festivals or Taoist gatherings, people flock to the mountain, some to pray for peace and blessings, others to admire the landscape, or simply to enjoy the experience of hiking and panoramic views. The fifth terrace is the Jade Emperor Summit. From the summit, one can gaze across the vast expanse of the Chu region, the picturesque scenery of Henan’s waters, and the diverse landscapes spanning dozens of miles within the canyon. Hundreds of species of wildflowers grow here, filling the air with fragrance.

　　The Jinsixia Grand Canyon is renowned for being narrow, serene, elegant, and extraordinary. It boasts dense rivers, lush forests, a rich diversity of wildlife and plants, and well-preserved primitive ecology.

　　The local climate is of the northern subtropical type, with approximately 240–285 days per year having an average daily temperature above 10°C; annual precipitation exceeds 800 mm, classifying it as a region with abundant rainfall and a moist climate. The overall climate characteristics are: ample rainfall, sufficient sunshine, no severe cold in winter, no intense heat in summer, fresh air, and mild temperatures. It is often said that “one can experience three seasons in a single day, and enjoy the fragrance of orchids for ten miles,” making it an ideal tourist destination for leisure, vacation, and exploring nature’s hidden wonders.