Snow Mountain Scenic Area

　　The Snow Mountain Scenic Area is situated 2 kilometers east of Yongji City, Shanxi Province, south of Wuxing Lake, the largest inland wetland in Shanxi. It lies within the Zhongtiao Mountain National Forest Park and was also the anti-Japanese revolutionary base of national hero Yang Zhenbang. Developed over nine years with an investment exceeding 100 million yuan by Yongji Snow Mountain Scenic Area Tourism Development Co., Ltd., it is a comprehensive tourism project integrating leisure, vacation, hotels, conferences, folk culture exhibitions, water challenges, stone carving art displays, and natural mountain-water landscapes.

　　 In 2010, the scenic area invested an additional 50 million yuan, hiring a professional and experienced tourism planning team to manage the entire development process. The area was deeply developed and standardized according to AAAA-level standards. The Snow Mountain Scenic Area consists of two parts: the cultural landscape of the front mountain and the natural mountain-water landscape of the back mountain. The front mountain covers over 1,000 acres and includes a resort hotel, the Snow Mountain Cultural Management Office, the Yang Zhenbang Memorial Hall, the Enthusiastic Challenge Water Park, the Southern Shanxi Folk Culture Expo Park, a stone carving art exhibition, an animal park, the Bamboo Wind Garden, a fishing garden, a temple area, and an outdoor camping area. The back mountain stretches over 10 kilometers and features unique natural ecological landscapes such as the White Dragon Waterfall, the Sky Ladder, tunnels, the Heavenly Lake, Black Wind Gorge, the Gourd Pool, the Milky Way Waterfall, the Ancient Ji Temple, Yang Zhenbang’s Training Ground, and Snow Mountain Peak.

　　Six Thematic Highlights of the Snow Mountain Scenic Area:

　　 1. The Highest Peak of the Zhongtiao Mountain Range: Located at the southernmost end of the scenic area, the main peak of the Zhongtiao Mountains—Snow Mountain—stands at an elevation of 1,994 meters. The mountain is scattered with peculiar rocks that reveal ever-changing vistas; wildflowers fill the air with fragrance, while clear springs trickle over stones. Towering pines and cypresses thrive, and ancient vines cling to old trees. Ascending Snow Mountain offers a breathtaking panoramic view where all other peaks seem small. A gentle mountain breeze brings a refreshing coolness, making it a true earthly paradise, a summer retreat, and a health-promoting haven. Invite a few friends, bring fine wine and fruit, and wander the mountain paths—you may find yourself never wanting to leave.

　　 2. The Largest Collection of Folk Stone Carvings: The stone carving collection is located in the Folk Culture Expo Park of the scenic area, featuring over 10,000 folk stone carvings from various dynasties and periods. Among them are 854 stone lions of various sizes, 313 commemorative steles including merit steles, virtue steles, memorial steles, moral teaching steles, longevity steles, and spirit way steles, 821 horse-tying posts, 1,692 pairs of doorstones, 338 stone drums, 207 stone troughs, 201 stone mortars, 74 stone mills, 1,421 millstones, and over 4,000 other stone carvings including labor tools, architectural components, religious sculptures, statues, and ornamental pillars. These carvings were crafted using techniques such as incised line carving, shadow carving, relief carving, round carving (fully three-dimensional without background), and openwork carving (also known as pierced carving). Artisans used steel chisels of varying sizes to carve patterns into bluestone, employing differences in chisel point size, depth, and spacing to depict landscapes, birds, animals, figures, and flowers. Each piece showcases exquisite craftsmanship, lifelike imagery, and vivid artistic charm, offering high value for appreciation, collection, and research. They represent the pinnacle of folk artists’ skills and the boundless creativity of the people.

　　 3. The Largest Southern Shanxi Folk Culture Park: Here, you can experience Southern Shanxi’s distinctive snacks, labor scenes, and traditional handicrafts being made on-site. Marvel at exquisitely crafted paper-cuttings, dough figurines, and embroidery; savor authentic flavors like freshly ground soy milk, soybean curd pudding, tofu, and handmade steamed buns. Witness rugged yet impressive traditional iron forging and blacksmithing, as well as daily activities like grinding grain, plowing fields, and milling rice. Enjoy the vibrant energy of folk performances such as yangge dance and bridal sedan chair processions. Explore the intricate arts of spinning, weaving, and the stunning skills of folk artists—all vividly showcasing the production and daily life of the Southern Shanxi people. You can even join in these activities for an up-close experience and enjoy the unique satisfaction of self-reliance.

　　 4. The Most Thrilling Water Challenges: The water challenge activities include zip lines, couple bridges, water walking, plank crossings, board bridges, Burmese bridges, rope swings across rivers, roller bridges, swing bridges, ladder bridges, plank walkways, and cable bridges. By participating in these challenges, you can experience various thrilling tests, discover your potential, and boost your confidence. Overcome psychological inertia and build perseverance to tackle difficulties. Adjust your physical and mental state to face work and life’s challenges with optimism. Understand the power of teamwork, enhance group participation awareness, and develop a sense of responsibility. Improve interpersonal relationships and learn to care for and cooperate more harmoniously with others.

　　 5. The Moving History of Anti-Japanese Resistance: Snow Mountain was once the stage for a heroic chapter in Yongji’s anti-Japanese history. Yang Zhenbang, a native of Wucun at the foot of Snow Mountain, built a resistance force numbering in the thousands from a single rifle, relying on the mountain’s strategic defenses. Through self-reliance and hard struggle, he fought across Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Henan, risking his life in bloody battles against the Japanese invaders and protecting the Communist Party’s Southern Shanxi organizations. Near the victory of the war, he was falsely accused and killed by the Kuomintang outside Yuxiang Gate in Xi’an at the age of 39. His remaining thousands of soldiers were airlifted to Yunnan under the name of Expeditionary Forces, where most died fighting on the China-Myanmar border. We must honor this vivid and tragic history of resistance, commemorate the martyrs, and inspire future generations.

　　 6. The Most Unique Mountain-Water Landscape: The Snow Mountain Scenic Area combines the majesty of Mount Tai, the steepness of Mount Hua, the serenity of Mount Lu, the uniqueness of Mount Huang, and the beauty of Mount Emei. The four seasons bring ever-changing scenery: spring bursts with floral abundance, summer offers a cool retreat, deep autumn paints the mountains in red foliage, and winter cloaks the land in silvery white. The area boasts rich wild plant resources, with 96 families, 437 genera, and 912 species of vascular plants. These are categorized by economic use into 13 types: starch plants, oil plants, vitamin plants, beverage plants, sweetener plants, and more.

　　Xiushui Villa features six main scenic areas

　　 Mountain Hiking: Following the winding mountain paths, you can admire the unique grandeur, steep beauty, and picturesque charm of Snow Mountain, the meandering and exquisite Xiushui Valley, the naturally formed One-Line Sky, and the Milky Way Waterfall cascading down one hundred feet.

　　 Water Play: Upon entering the mountain gate, you’ll find a series of interconnected attractions including the Emerald Lake, fishing ponds, swimming pools, and lotus ponds, all captivating. Venturing into the valley, the deafening sound of water and the endless waterfalls resemble silver dragons rushing down. Ascend the steps to a reservoir capable of holding 50,000 cubic meters of water, its shimmering surface a breathtaking sight. Stroll along the stream, where the interplay of mountains, water, trees, bridges, stones, fish, flowers, and grass—whether ingeniously crafted or naturally formed—creates a feast for the eyes, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into a fairyland.

　　 Temples: The divine Yuhuang Pavilion and Dragon King Temple are bustling with incense, their curling smoke adding a touch of mystery and spiritual charm to the beautiful villa.

　　 Fishing: The 2,600-cubic-meter fishing pond offers a tranquil space for anglers to relax and enjoy themselves.

　　 Bamboo Viewing: The 2,100-square-meter bamboo forest, with its winding maze-like paths, invites visitors to wander and linger. The swaying green bamboo forms a majestic sea of bamboo, a truly spectacular sight.

　　 Pine Listening: Strolling through the pine and cypress woods, the rustling of leaves in the breeze, accompanied by birdsong, helps you forget the hustle and bustle of the city, bringing peace and joy. The villa also features a cultural corridor, leisure corridor, theater, pavilions, and hosts year-round competitions in hiking, fishing, table tennis, photography, calligraphy, and swimming, adding further charm. Eleven-arch caves and a grand hotel spanning 6,000 square meters, along with various entertainment facilities, provide comprehensive services for food, accommodation, and recreation.

　　 The benevolent enjoy the mountains, the wise enjoy the water. Xiushui Villa is an ideal destination for sightseeing, cultural tourism, leisure and entertainment, as well as photography and art.

　　 Upon arriving at the scenic area, the front mountain presents a scene of pavilions and towers, each meticulously crafted, surrounded by swaying bamboo, towering ancient cypresses, newly greened old locust trees, and a variety of birds and animals. The back mountain reveals overlapping ridges, steep cliffs, perilous peaks, and scattered bizarre rocks, with rustling pine waves, misty clouds, murmuring springs, and roaring waterfalls. The towering ladder reaches into the clouds, leaving you awestruck; the Black Dragon Pool shimmers with emerald waves; the Black Wind Gorge is shrouded in mystery; the Ancient Ji Temple guides people toward kindness; and the Milky Way Waterfall stirs the heart.

　　 With continued investment in scenic development and ongoing improvements to facilities, the functional layout fully embodies the philosophy of “seamless integration and mutual enhancement of nature and culture.” Our scenic area will become a shining jewel in the tourism crown of Shanxi.

　　Source: Editorial Committee of the Local Chronicles of Yuncheng City