An “outdoor paradise” in northern Shaanxi
Northern Shaanxi always reminds people of the loess plateau and the flying dust. However, the Shaanxi Huangling National Forest Park in Huangling County in northern Shaanxi, is known as “the blessed land for health, and an outdoor paradise”. With the unique scenery of the four seasons and different landforms, it is the largest national forest park in Yan’an, northern Shaanxi.
Shaanxi Huangling National Forest Park is located in the southwest of Huangling County, the upstream of the Juhe River (formerly known as Jishui River) and the eastern branch of the middle Meridian Ridge, with a total area of 4,358.5 hectares and a forest coverage of 98%. Dense forests, peculiar landforms, humid climate, and rich water resources endow the park elegant and charming ecological environment. There are also 750 species of plants and animals which can be found flourishing here. The Park is divided into two parts: the Southern District and the Northern District. The two districts have a distance of over 20 kilometers between them.
It’s said that the Xuanyuan Health Valley in the Northern District was the birthplace of the Yellow Emperor and the place where he discussed health maintenance with Qibo, a medicine master in ancient China. The main landscapes include the Xianglong Lake, the Pine Forest, the Wet Meadow, the Butterfly Valley, and the Stone Book (also known as the Huangdi Stone). The eco-cultural experience is dominated by the plantations of herbs and the science museum of butterflies. The Huangqi Hall and the Health Resort Hall are the main places for leisure vacations. The Xuanyuan Health Valley is themed with “body relaxation, mind cultivation and nature molding”.
Zi’e Temple, a large Buddhist shrine located in the Southern District, with a history of 1,500 years, was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty (A.D.386-534). It flourished in the Tang and Song dynasties and was destroyed in the late Qing Dynasty. The current Zi’e Temple was restored at the original site. The main attractions are the Main Shrine Hall, the Chaoyang Cave, and the Xuankong Temple. One of the most important features of the Main Shrine Hall is its excellent location, which is exactly on the prime meridian of China.
With a total length of six kilometers, the Dragon Ridge links the Xuanyuan Health Valley and the Zi’e Temple, and forms a large-scale landscape cluster. People can come to the Dragon Ridge by car or on foot. They can enjoy the immense forest formed by the ancient trees, the winding path leading to a secluded spot, the bird songs, the fragrant flowers in the vicinity, and the undulating peaks surrounded in the distance. Every stone and every plant here record the rise of the Chinese civilization, emitting the spirit and the auspiciousness of the Chinese nation.
A hanging glass road, more than 2,000 meters long and over 70 meters high, is built on the cliffs. Walking on the glass road is like walking between the heaven and the earth. The Pine Forest is surrounded by the ancient pine trees on both sides of the road, creating a profound artistic conception. The treetop walk and the glass corridor provide the visitors with the opportunity to walk in the air. In order to enrich the entertainment facilities in the park, Shaanxi Huangling National Forest Park recently opened new items such as the cliff swing, the internet celebrity bridge and the karts, which have all been well received by tourists.
