Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park

Name: Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park Address: Qixi Town, Kaihua County, Zhejiang Province Telephone: 0570-6076000 Transportation: Take county bus routes to Qixi Town Opening Hours: 08:00 – 17:00 Coordinates: Longitude: 118.35204300369266; Latitude: 29.40261733898051

Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park is located in Kaihua County, the source of the Qiantang River, the mother river of Zhejiang Province. In April 2001, it was designated a provincial-level scenic area with the approval of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government. National Highway 205 runs through the park, and dedicated tourist roads lead directly to the scenic zones. The tourist zone lies 50 kilometers from downtown Kaihua, 100 kilometers from Huangshan Mountain, 40 kilometers from Qiandao Lake and 90 kilometers from Sanqing Mountain.

Stretching from Lianhua Peak in the west to the dam of Qixi Reservoir in the east, the entire scenic area covers a total area of 4,500 hectares, including 4,250 hectares of mountain forest and 220 hectares of water surface. More than 720 species of woody plants grow here, alongside abundant ferns, vines and grasses. The park is home to over 80 bird species and more than 40 economically valuable mammal species, forming a natural biological gene bank.

Boasting extremely abundant forest resources, large stretches of primitive secondary forests remain intact across much of the park. Towering ancient trees blanket steep mountains, pushing the forest coverage rate up to 97%. It ranks among western Zhejiang’s top eco-tourism destinations with the richest forest landscapes. The park features rolling mountain ridges, narrow steep valleys, jagged rocky cliffs, plunging waterfalls, gurgling brooks, shifting sea of clouds, towering ancient trees and rare wildlife, combining abundant natural and cultural resources. Composed of five core scenic zones — Lianhuatang, Zhuomakeng, Lianhuaxi, Shuihu and Fenglou — it is a natural scenic resort celebrated for green mountains, clear waters, dense woods and magnificent waterfalls.

Layered mountain ridges rise one after another throughout the park. Its highest peak, Lianhua Peak, stands at 1,136.8 meters above sea level. Within the park boundary lie 25 summits over 1,000 meters, accounting for 54% of all thousand-meter peaks in Kaihua County. The imposing mountain massifs feature competing jagged peaks, crisscrossing ravines, dense woods and bamboo groves with diverse forest layers, forming the core landscape framework of the park.

Dozens of mountain streams and springs surge out of intersecting valleys. Following undulating terrain, the current alternates between swift rapids and tranquil pools, cascading waterfalls and placid lake surfaces. If grand mountain formations shape the skeleton of the forest park, its diverse water scenes infuse it with vitality. Major aquatic attractions include:

A poem depicts Qixi Reservoir as follows: A placid lake nestles amid lofty gorges of Qixi,

Green peaks frame glassy blue waves all around.

Crystal streams breed ample fish and grain,

Bright pearls glitter all along Majin River’s ground.

The park enjoys a distinctive climate shrouded in mist all year round: cool in summer, pleasantly mild in spring and autumn, and relatively warm in winter, making it an ideal summer retreat. Visitors can witness breathtaking natural spectacles here: sunrise over sea of clouds, sunset glow tinting the sky red, rainbows formed by sunlight through scattered rain, and mountain peaks draped in silvery frost.

Nestled beneath Lianhua Peak, the source of the Qiantang River, this zone covers 1,137.5 hectares and consists of two major parts: Lianhuatang and Lianhuaxi. Its highlights include the legendary Seven-Color Lotus Pond, the Trilateral Boundary Stele marking the junction of Zhejiang, Anhui and Jiangxi, Blessed Lotus Land, Rainbow Waterfall, Reclining Ox Rock, Chuancangtou and the Source Monument, all centering on the theme of the Qiantang River’s source.

Located south of the Lianhuaxi scenic belt, the Grand Canyon is a vital component of the Qianjiangyuan Scenic Area, boasting pristine ecology and stunning natural scenery. Locally known as Jikeng, it comprises three sub-scenic clusters: Jidi, Jishang and Jiyuan. Streams originating from Lianhua Peak converge here to form the Lianhua Stream. Encircled by mountains and lined with sheer vertical cliffs, the canyon boasts a year-round spring-like climate and a long watercourse. Its star attraction is Jikeng Flying Waterfall (Divine Dragon Waterfall of the Grand Canyon), plunging more than 120 meters with overwhelming momentum.

Situated north of Qixi Reservoir, this zone spans 1,350.5 hectares, including a 218-hectare lake. To the south lies Shuihu Lake, the first lake at the river source dotted with a solitary islet. Several thousand-meter peaks including Dalong Mountain guard the northern side. Beneath Divine Dragon Spring beside National Highway 205 stands Shuihu Villa, which houses the park’s management office and tourist service center.

To the north of Shuihu Scenic Zone, visitors may take a cruise from Shuihu Wharf to the entrance of Fengloukeng and follow footpaths inward. Covering 225 hectares, the zone includes Fengloukeng and Fengloutian. It is famous for bizarre rocky cliffs, brooks, ponds and waterfalls, offering facilities for sightseeing, meditation and camping. The Nine Waterfalls and Eighteen Ponds feature unique shapes and appearances. The vegetation mainly consists of broad-leaved trees such as sweetgum, tallow tree and red maple, presenting a gorgeous fiery autumn landscape.

Located on the outer hillside of Lianhuaxi, the zone covers 845 hectares and supports forest exploration, sightseeing and scientific research. Attractions include Heavenly Son’s Tomb, Heavenly Son Lake, Immortal Pool and Zhuoma Flying Waterfall. Notably, over 1,200 mu of Huangshan pine trees grow on highlands above 800 meters on Waixigang, delivering outstanding ornamental value.

Qixi Reservoir was built within the park in 1979, greatly improving the forest ecological environment. The park maintains fresh air and a pleasant microclimate; summer temperatures here run 3 to 4 degrees Celsius lower than outside the reserve, with extremely high negative oxygen ion concentrations, earning it the reputation of a “natural oxygen bar”.

Strange mountains and grotesque rocks have formed numerous waterfall clusters of distinctive styles throughout the park. Jikeng Flying Waterfall drops 120 meters, partially concealed by a giant boulder at its upper reach for a spectacular sight. Up close, the water seems to pour down from nowhere; from afar, a silver ribbon stretches to the horizon like a divine dragon with only its head visible. In the 2003 Zhejiang Tourism Resource Survey, this waterfall was rated Grade IV as “the No.1 single waterfall south of the Yangtze River”. Other highlights include the legend-rich Zhuoma Flying Waterfall, Immortal Pool and Heavenly Son Lake, the stunning Three-Tier Waterfall and Shuizhuwan Waterfall, vivid Chuancangtou Rock formation, the Nine Waterfalls and Eighteen Ponds in Fenglou Zone, and Divine Dragon Spring.

Beyond pure mountain spring water, azure skies and refreshing clean air, Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park offers tranquil resting spaces. Visitors can don a bamboo hat and hold a fishing rod to recreate the poetic scene of “an old man in straw raincoat fishing alone in cold river snow”, or channel great leaders to “plow through thousands of miles of water with unyielding resolve”.

Qianjiangyuan National Forest Park is an ideal destination for sightseeing, vacation recuperation and immersing oneself in unspoiled nature