Shuangzi Mountain Primeval Forest Park

Shuangzi Mountain Primeval Forest Park covers Big White Cliff Hill and Small White Cliff Hill within the managed forest zone of Baoxing Forest Farm under Fangzheng County Forestry Bureau. The park thus gets its name "Shuangzi Mountain", meaning Twin Mountains.

Founded in 1997, it is currently a provincial-level forest park and is applying for national forest park status and AAAA-level scenic area accreditation. This area was once the activity base of the 3rd Corps of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army led by Yike Song. It is the only inland tourist resort with well-preserved primeval ecosystems, as well as the nearest primeval forest park to Harbin in Heilongjiang Province. It is 197 kilometres from Harbin and 36 kilometres from downtown Fangzheng. Geographically, it sits in the hilly low-to-medium mountain area on the northern foot of Laoye Ridge, the western slope of Zhangguangcai Ridge of the Changbai Mountain Range, with elevations ranging from 200 metres to 800 metres above sea level. The park spans about 680 hectares, with a forest coverage rate exceeding 98 percent. Its vegetation belongs to the Changbai Mountain flora.

The representative vegetation is Korean pine mixed broadleaf forest, growing on mountain rocks and slopes. Broadleaf primeval forest occupies a large proportion of the park. The main tree species include Mongolian oak, Amur cork tree, Manchurian ash, maple, walnut, together with birch and poplar. The undergrowth is rich and luxuriant, featuring hazelnut, philadelphus, eleutherococcus, sorbus and other shrubs. The herb layer is dominated by mosses and ferns, including sedge, bugbane, wild sesame, meadow rue and allium.

With dense woods and abundant water sources, the wildlife resources are remarkably abundant. Mammals once included Siberian tigers (now extinct), black bears, brown bears, wild boars, wolves, foxes, raccoon dogs, badgers, sika deer, red deer and roe deer. Birds consist of sparrowhawks, eagles, owls, cuckoos, woodpeckers and mountain pigeons. Rodents include hares, squirrels, musk rats, flying squirrels and weasels. Amphibians and reptiles contain wood frogs, toads, rat snakes, pit vipers and grass lizards. The park boasts abundant wild flora and fauna, dominated by natural landscapes.

Walking along the wooden plank road deep into the forest, visitors will see towering ancient trees with intertwined branches blocking out the sunlight. Mountain breezes bring the roaring sound of pines, creating a pleasantly cool environment. In autumn, tourists can enjoy the unique beauty of the colourful mountain forests. Different tree species form layers of varying hues, presenting distinctive scenery at every viewpoint. The park combines steep mountains, graceful waters, secluded forests, grotesque rocks and fantastic caves.

Located in the temperate continental monsoon zone, the park features four distinct seasons. In spring, azaleas bloom all over the hills and birds sing in green valleys. In summer, thick foliage provides shade and sweet mountain springs flow everywhere. In golden autumn, red leaves dance in the wind, painting the mountains in gorgeous colours. In cold winter, the whole mountain is wrapped in pure white snow like jade. No matter which season you visit, you will feel fully immersed in nature and experience the authentic scenery of Northeast China’s primeval forests.

Starting from the entrance corridor, bathed in sunlight filtering through the canopy, visitors will see winding mountain hiking trails. The total hiking distance is 4,000 metres, including 1,000 metres of cement road, 1,500 metres of wooden boardwalk, 500 metres of stone steps and 1,000 metres of original mountain path.

Shuangzi Mountain Primeval Forest Park is divided into four scenic zones with a total of 26 scenic spots.