White Snake Valley

　　The White Snake Valley Natural Scenic Area is situated one kilometer north of the Huangyaguan Great Wall in Jixian County, Tianjin, bordering Xinglong County of Hebei Province to the north, and lies on the west side of the Jinwei Highway, 28 kilometers from Jixian County town. The scenic area features peculiar peaks, deep valleys, mysterious caves, rare trees, and fascinating legends, as well as ancient Great Wall ruins. It is a pristine ecological scenic zone integrating nature exploration, leisure and summer retreat, fitness and adventure, and eco-scientific study. The full tour covers 6 kilometers and takes about 2 to 3 hours round trip. The area is named after the legend that the White Snake and Green Snake from the tale "Legend of the White Snake" once inhabited the White Snake Cave and Green Snake Gully here.

　　The White Snake Valley Natural Scenic Area boasts lush vegetation and numerous rare plants. With its fresh air and high negative oxygen ion content, it is known as a “natural oxygen bar.” Taking a deep breath here will surely refresh your mind and body. Through hundreds of millions of years of crustal movement, nature has masterfully crafted these steep cliffs, unique peaks, and ancient caves—including Cat-Ear Peak, Divine Dragon Waterfall, Twin Dragon Pools, Mother-and-Son Rocks, Gourd Cliff, Cool Valley, Natural Stone Murals, Hanging Rocks, One-Line Sky, White Snake Cave, General Ridge, Corn Peak, Fortune Turtle Welcoming Stone, Mysterious Caves, Dense Forest Wilderness (a pristine forest area), ruins of the Northern Qi Dynasty Great Wall, and watchtowers from the Ming Dynasty, among many other captivating natural attractions.

　　Folklore

　　The White Snake Valley Scenic Area gets its name from the folk tale “Legend of the White Snake,” in which the White Snake and Green Snake once resided here. According to the legend, the White Snake and Green Snake were born on Mount Emei and cultivated themselves in the White Dragon Cave—the White Snake for 1,000 years and the Green Snake for 800 years. Later, in pursuit of the sunshine, rain, moonlight, and essence of the north, they journeyed together to two valleys at the foot of the Yanshan Mountains. After attaining immortality, the snakes traveled south back to their old grounds on Mount Emei, where Lady White met Xu Xian and fell in love at first sight, leading to a series of stories such as “Borrowing an Umbrella by West Lake.” Eventually, the White Snake was imprisoned under the Leifeng Pagoda. To rescue her, the Green Snake returned to the Yanshan Mountains to continue her cultivation. Five hundred years later, she saved the White Snake and the two returned to their former home in the Yanshan Mountains. Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor sent heavenly soldiers to pursue them, but they were never victorious. In the end, the Heavenly King Li Jing removed his crown, which transformed into a mountain and trapped the White and Green Snakes beneath it. This mountain is now called Wangmaoding Mountain. The valley below it has the Green Snake Gully on the left and the White Snake Valley on the right—hence the name “White Snake Valley.” Strangely enough, even on clear days, whenever the weather changes, wisps of green smoke first rise from the bottom of the Green Snake Gully, creeping up the mountainside, gradually spreading to cover the hillsides, mountaintops, and sky. Soon after, sudden rain follows. Once the rain clears, a band of mist resembling a jade belt wraps around the mountainside, lingering for a long time—a remarkable natural spectacle.

　　Transportation Routes

　　Address: Xiaying Town, Jixian County, Tianjin (north side of Huangyaguan Great Wall)