Paiya Mountain National Forest Park

Paiya Mountain Forest Park is located to the west of the county seat, 18 kilometres away. It covers a total area of 6,800 hectares with 97 mountain peaks, and the highest peak reaches an altitude of 987 metres.

The park boasts over ten thousand mu of primeval secondary forest and seventy thousand mu of man-made forest. The forest coverage rate stands at 87.29%, and the standing timber stock reaches 446,000 cubic metres. There are 9 scenic zones and 169 scenic spots in total, featuring exotic peaks, clear waters, secluded woods, blooming flowers, shifting sea of clouds and grotesque rocks.

The park has a rich variety of tree species, including more than 50 rare varieties. Six species such as ancient ginkgo trees are listed as Class I national protected plants, and another 16 species including phoebe trees are Class II national protected plants. Layer upon layer of mountains are covered with towering ancient trees. Mountain springs rush down vigorously, lakes shimmer with emerald green, mountains are wrapped in mist, and the air is filled with birdsong and insect chirps. Deep inside the woods, you may spot hares darting into bushes, squirrels leaping among treetops, and sika deer wandering through the forest.

Thanks to its unique vegetation and excellent ecological environment, the park forms a distinctive microclimate known as "Nature’s Air Conditioner". At present, it is a national 3A-level tourist attraction, a provincial eco-tourism demonstration zone, a nature reserve and a national forest park.

The metasequoia forest was planted in the 1970s and now spans more than 1,000 mu, all fully mature. Metasequoia is a deciduous gymnosperm that can grow to 30–40 metres tall with straight upright trunks and drooping twigs spreading out in layers, forming a perfect pagoda shape. Its soft linear leaves grow in opposite pairs arranged in two feather-like rows on small branches. The wood is light and fine-grained, making it ideal for shipbuilding, construction, bridge engineering and furniture making. It is honoured as "the giant panda of the plant kingdom".

Ten kilometres from the park management centre lies Dragon Pool, a legendary bathing place for dragons. Surrounded by rolling peaks and limpid streams, the well-preserved thousand-mu mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forest forms a natural green landscape. It offers four distinctive seasonal views: blooming flowers in spring, lush green foliage in summer, red maple leaves in autumn and evergreen cypresses in winter. Visitors can enjoy unique wild charm all year round. A walk into Dragon Pool brings you fully immersed in pristine wilderness.