The Zhangjiajie
National Forest Park is a unique national forest located in Zhangjiajie City in
northern Hunan Province in China, about 32km
away from the downtown of Zhangjiajie City, Hunan province. Covering an area of
480 thousand square meters (185 square miles), it is one of several national
parks within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. In 1982 it was recognized as China 's first
National Forest Park. In 1992, it was officially recognized as a UNESCO World
Natural Heritage Site. Zhangjiajie is a green treasure house.
Zhangjiajie
National Forest Park has been described differently, such as, majestic,
eccentric, tranquil, delicate and wild. The park features grotesque peaks,
lucid brooks, abundant fauna and floras and hospitable climate. There are six
main attraction spots and over 90 smaller ones in the park to date.
Climate
It belongs to the
sub-tropical climate of Central Asia . Splendid
mountains and luxuriant trees help form a favorable climate: warm in winter and
cool in summer. The average temperature is 13C (55F ),
the highest 17C (62F ) while the lowest is 10C (50F ) on average in winter. The charm of the park
varies with the alternation of seasons; therefore, it attracts visitors all
year round. Besides its pleasant climate, the environment and air quality also
provide visitors a chance to breathe healthy air which is believed to be rich
in negative oxygen. It is also believed that hypertension patient may have
their blood pressure lowered if they stay in the park for a period of time.
This is due to the fact that dust particles in the park are 88% lower and the
air 10% mistier than outside.
Foliage and Animals
Zhangjiajie
National Forest ParkAbout 98% of the area is covered with vegetation. There are
720 species of the 102 families, including all the five most important floras,
namely, the rose family, pulse family, grass family, composite family and
orchid family. Some of these trees are rare and regarded as national treasure.
For example, the Dove tree, known as living fossil, can be traced back as early
as the Fourth Ice Age. The great variety of plants in the park takes up 82% of
all the flora families in Hunan
Province .
Zhangjiajie
National Forest Park also boasts a variety of animals. Exuberant forests offer
them ideal habitats to live in and procreate their own species. There are more
than 149 kinds of chordate animals inhabitants in this park. Among them, 28
kinds are under national protection, amongst which, are the Golden Pheasant,
Rhesus Monkey, Giant Salamander and Musk Deer. Visitors will be able to hear
birds singing and see monkeys playing in the tree.
Main Attraction Spots
The park is
endowed with many attraction spots, such as the Yellow Stone Stronghold
(Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai, Yuanjiajie and the Golden Whip Stream.
Yellow Stone
Stronghold (Huangshizhai), Yaozizhai is located west of the park. It is named
after a story whereby Huang Shi saved Zhang Liang from misfortune when the
latter isolated himself from society in this forest.
Occupying an area
of 41 acres and 1,200 meters (0.8 miles) above sea level, this stronghold is
the largest observing spot of the forest
park . One cannot claim to have visited Zhangjiajie
without visiting Yellow Stone Stronghold. The main attraction spots include
Tranquil Trail in Fir Woods, Imperial Edict and the Precious Box, Needle Peak ,
the Southern Gate to Heaven, Five-Finger
Peak and so on.
Golden Whip Stream
Sceneries along
the Golden Whip Stream are most enchanting in the park. Named after the Golden
Whip Rock that it flows by, this stream, 5.7 kilometers long (3.5 miles), joins
the Lute stream in the west and Suoxi Stream in the east. A 300-meter (984
feet) walk from the gate of the park will lead you to the entrance of the
Golden Whip Stream. Flanked by ridges and peaks, the crystal clear water makes
it possible to observe every action of the fish in the water. Wild flowers are
in abundance here.
Cable Car On the
way, girls from Tujia will present visitors traditional folk songs when
requested. The main attraction spots here include: the Welcoming Guests Rock,
Golden Whip Rock, Reunion Rock and the Purple Grass Pond.
Every year in
July, one or two hour after rain, is the best time to travel in Zhangjiajie. On
that moment with smoke around, it is like a fairyland. Walking in mountain then
is like walking in the clouds, and suddenly the sun bumping out from the clouds,
with one part of the mountain sitting in gold sunshine and the other hidden in
clouds, is the best scene one can ever imagine.
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information, please visit www.top-chinatour.com
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