Laoxiong Mountain Forest Park

　　　　Laoxiong Mountain, also known as Xiongshan, is located in the southern part of Changzhi County, spanning an area of sixty to seventy square li, with an elevation of 1,419.5 meters, and is regarded as the king of the mountains in Shangdang. The mountain features three peaks standing opposite one another, forming a majestic and layered ridgeline that resembles a giant dragon winding its way among the towns of Yincheng, Xihuo, and Xiannan. According to historical records, its name comes from the meaning “lofty peaks, grand and precipitous.” Laoxiong Mountain is famed for its verdant pines and cypresses. In the height of summer, the mountainsides are covered in lush, dewy greenery, while thousands of butterflies flutter through the woods and grass. Sitting beneath the pines, quietly listening to the rustling of the wind in the trees and watching the butterflies dance creates a uniquely delightful experience. Today, thanks to the adornments of local residents, Laoxiong Mountain has taken on an even more enchanting appearance and has become a forest park within the county. The mountaintop remains green with pines and cypresses all year round, the mountainside fills with the fragrance of five kinds of fruits in autumn, the foothills ripple with green waves in summer, and the valleys are perennially graced by flowing streams. Since ancient times, locals have had the custom of carrying picnic meals and climbing the mountain as a family during the peak of summer to escape the heat, enjoy the cool, and ward off misfortune. Nowadays, mountain hiking has become an important part of the people’s cultural and recreational activities—especially during the Dragon Boat Festival in May, when people from surrounding villages and towns, young and old alike, flock here. The pine forests on the mountaintop teem with visitors, voices soar, and laughter rings out, blending into a joyous sea of happiness.