Jixian Huanghua Mountain

　　The Huanghua Mountain Scenic Area is one of the three major scenic zones of Tianjin's Jiulongshan National Forest Park, covering a total area of 7,600 mu, with the main peak, Huixian Peak, at an elevation of 741 meters. With its majestic and winding mountain ridges and lush pine forests, it is one of the ten most historically significant mountains in Jixian. The mountain gets its name from the abundant wild yellow flowers that cover its slopes. The Jixian Forestry Bureau, leveraging the area’s rich forest and natural landscape resources, has adhered to the principles of “people-oriented development, strict protection, comprehensive planning, rational development, and sustainable utilization.” After more than two years of development and construction, with an investment of over 10 million yuan, the bureau completed various tourism infrastructure projects, including 11 kilometers of scenic roads, 4.3 kilometers of hiking trails, a 100-square-meter visitor center, and a 5,600-square-meter parking lot. It also developed scenic spots such as the Viewing Pavilion, Educated Youth Forest, Stone Sea, Lilac Grove, Chaoyang Cave, and an ancient beacon tower. The restoration of the Wanshou Xinglong Temple is underway, and the scenic area has initially met the conditions for opening to the public. Located along the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei golden tourism corridor, Huanghua Mountain lies to the east of the Qingdongling (Eastern Qing Tombs), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is connected to the Baxianshan, Limutai, and Huangyaguan Great Wall to the west, while overlooking the vast expanse of Cuiping Lake to the south. Just 25 kilometers east of the county town, the Bangxi Highway links to the Dongling Road, providing direct and convenient access to the scenic area with a highly strategic location. Huanghua Mountain stands as a solitary peak amid a vast wilderness, with distinct vertical distribution zones of forest vegetation and a forest coverage rate exceeding 90%. The area is home to 362 species of higher vascular plants across 89 families, with a combination of trees, shrubs, and grasses forming a stable natural ecosystem—serving as a typical representation of the warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forest vegetation found in North China's temperate zone. Within the dense forests of Jixian’s Huanghua Mountain, the View Dragon Pavilion can be found.

　　The rich forests also provide a habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. To date, 429 species have been identified, belonging to 34 orders and 136 families, including mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and insects—making it an excellent base for ecological and science education. Huanghua Mountain boasts a profound cultural heritage. Taoist culture has been practiced here since the 31st year of the Hongwu reign during the Ming Dynasty. In the 38th year of the Wanli reign, the Xinglong Temple of Huanghua Mountain was decreed to be built, and the Taoist priest Lanfeng was bestowed the title of “Gaozi Zhenren” (Realized One). Locals commonly refer to this temple as the “Iron Tile Temple,” and an ancient beacon tower also stands atop the mountain. In the 24th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty, the Wanshou Xinglong Temple was again decreed to be constructed, with the iron tiles replaced by yellow glazed tiles, elevating it to an imperial temple under the jurisdiction of the Beijing Lifan Yuan (Imperial Court for Managing Affairs of Ethnic Minorities), with its Taoist priests serving the royal family in scripture chanting for imperial tomb visits. At the southern foot of Huanghua Mountain lie the mausoleums of six Qing princes, including Prince Rong, as well as remnants of the Fengshui (geomantic) wall of the Eastern Qing Tombs—both integral components of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain is composed of the world’s oldest metamorphic rocks, dating back 3.6 billion years, and sedimentary rocks from 1.8 billion years ago. Its formation dates back to the Mesozoic “Yanshan Orogeny” around 180 million years ago. The scenic area features geological strata spanning 3.6 billion and 1.8 billion years, as well as rock formations from 1.7 billion and 1.8 billion years, creating a spectacular “Stone Sea” formed by past landslides. The mountain is also rich in gold, silver, and iron ore. Given its wealth of forests, natural landscapes, and mineral resources, Huanghua Mountain is truly a “Golden Mountain.” The reopening of Huanghua Mountain for visitors during the summer season marks the emergence of this secluded mountain—closed off for centuries—from its hidden past. It now allows more tourists to appreciate and experience the magnificent natural scenery of Jixian, to enjoy the joy of returning to simplicity and nature, while also gaining a deeper understanding of the area’s profound Taoist cultural atmosphere. This not only enriches Jixian’s tourism offerings but will also play a positive role in promoting the development of the local tourism industry.

　　Suggested ticket price: 34 RMB per person