Huashan Forest Park

Opening Hours: 8:00 – 19:00 Ticket Price: 21 RMB Contact Number: 0634-6547206 Address: State-owned Huashan Forest Farm, Dawangzhuang Town, Laicheng District, Laiwu City Best Visiting Season: Summer Complaint Hotline: 0634-6221271

The city enjoys well-developed public transport with buses running directly to the scenic spot. Visitors may also take a taxi to get there.

Nestled in the mountainous area of northwest Laiwu City, Huashan Forest Park sits on a branch range of Mount Tai, covering a total area of 46 square kilometers. Undulating mountains and crisscross gullies spread across the park, featuring 96 peaks of varying sizes, among which 25 stand over 700 meters above sea level. Xiangshan Mountain, the western summit with an altitude of 918.7 meters, is the highest peak both in the park and the whole of Laiwu City. The highest peak in the eastern part is Dashan Mountain, rising 823 meters above sea level.

The park features a warm temperate continental monsoon climate with four distinct seasons, synchronized rainfall and high temperatures, and clear alternations of dry and wet periods. After years of closed conservation, the park boasts abundant species resources. It is home to more than 200 arbor species across 50 families, forming nearly 4,000 mu of forests dominated by evergreen trees. The forest coverage rate reaches 87%, and the luxuriant woods provide a sound ecological habitat for wild animals to live and breed. There are 170 bird species belonging to 29 families and 11 orders, as well as 19 mammal species from 11 families and 7 orders. The forest zone has a distinctive microclimate, featuring warm winters and cool summers with fresh, pleasant air. The temperature in summer is 5 to 8 degrees Celsius lower than that in the urban area, making it an ideal summer retreat for leisure.

The park consists of three core scenic zones: White Dragon Pond Scenic Area, Dazhou Courtyard Scenic Area and Yongning Hill Scenic Area. Black Dragon Pond is a renowned local attraction, as an ancient local saying goes, "Laiwu boasts eight treasures, among which the Black and White Dragon Ponds stand out". The White Dragon Pond Valley stretches from north to south. One side of the gorge features vertical stone cliffs dotted with pines and cypresses, while the other side offers flat, wide ground shaded by dense woods, forming a comfortable recreational space with exquisite natural scenery. Centered on the three linked White Dragon Ponds, the zone also includes complementary sights such as Screen Mountain, Heavenly Wonder Slide, String of Dragon Ponds, White Dragon Temple, Dragon View Pavilion, Bloodneck Mountain and Youth Forest.

Dazhou Courtyard Scenic Area lies on the sunny slope of Dashan Mountain. Winding stone walls following the mountain ridges remain here, shaped like a large boat — hence the name "Dazhou (Great Boat) Courtyard". The zone features steep mountain ridges, deep valleys and thick forests with diverse vegetation interspersed with pines, cypresses and oak trees, presenting elegant scenery. Ruins of Zhigong Hall and ancient famous trees add to its charm. Key spots include the gate of Dazhou Courtyard, Sweet Spring, Pine Forest Oxygen Bar, Layered Autumn Woods, Zhigong Hall and a thousand-year-old ginkgo tree.

Yongning Hill Scenic Area is located in the southeast of the park with gentle terrain covered by mountains, flatlands, reservoirs, woods and fruit trees. Yongning Hill, also known as Little Mount Tai, serves as its central landmark. Endowed with superior geographic conditions and serene natural surroundings, the area has long attracted literati, religious believers and dignitaries to visit, settle down, compose poems and leave inscriptions, leaving numerous historical relics, legends and folk tales. It is said that ancient sites including Dazhou Courtyard, Zhigong Hall, White Dragon Temple, Black Dragon Temple and Yongning Hill date back hundreds or even over a thousand years.

Huashan Forest Park integrates grand mountain peaks, dense forests, exotic stone formations, mysterious pools and waterfalls, combining mountains, rivers, woods, springs, waterfalls, valleys and caves. It perfectly unites natural landscapes with time-honored cultural relics, folk legends and wondrous stories