Jinsixia National Forest Park,located in Shangnan County of Shaanxi Provi, lies like a torch encircled in mountains. It is famous for large quantity of rivers, verdant forests and primitive environment. Jinsixia National Forest Park, also called Jinsixia National Geopark or Jinsi Grand Canyon Forest Park, preserves a rare and complete narrow gorge in the Qinling Mountains: Jinsixia Gorge.

What to see?

The gorge of Jinsixia extends over 20 kilometers,is covered by green forests, and boasts clear rivers and grand waterfalls. It is a great place to escape summer heat and for rafting. Currently, four main scenic areas in the gorge have been opened to tourists, which are the Dan River Headwaters, Black Dragon Gorge, Stone Swallow Village, and White Dragon Gorge from north to south. There is also a Green Dragon Gorge there, but it is not opened to tourists.

Passing through the South Gate of the Jinsixia National Forest Park, you will come to the Dan River Headwaters Scenic Area. This area features waterfalls and streams, such as Double Waterfall and the Dan Fish Lake. Double Waterfall plunges from a 11-yards (10-meters)-high cliff and is divided into two parts by rocks halfway down. The Dan River Fish Lake not only plays an important role in intercepting mudslides but is also a great fishing spot.

Stone Swallow Village to the east of Black Dragon Gorge is as precipitous as Mt. Huashan. In its south, east and west, there are only sheer precipices and overhanging rocks, so visitors can only pass through it from the northern slope. The village is composed of five big steps. The South Heavenly Gate, the only strategic pass to climb up Stone Swallow Village, is on the first step. The main part of the village is distributed on the second step, which is a Taoist holy place and where the Black Tortoise Temple was built. On the highest step stands Jade Emperor Peak from where you can look into the distance.

White Dragon Gorge, in the north of Jinsixia National Forest Park, stretches in the shape of an “S” with a length of 1.6 miles (2.5 kilometers). It is rich in picturesque peaks and fantastic rocks. For example, Phoenix Peak looks like a phoenix spreading its wings; and Monkey Peak is well known for its monkey-like stone at the top.In addition to peaks and rocks, White Dragon Gorge enjoys a beautiful lake, White Dragon Lake, which covers an area of 7 acres. Around the lake, a water amusement park is built for people to take part in a variety of entertainment activities, including rowing, fishing, and drinking tea in pavilions…
To the southwest of White Dragon Lake, there is a meeting point of four scenic areas called Lingguan Hall. Surrounded by mountains and lakes, the area boasts hotels that provide catering and accommodation for visitors.

An old saying goes that “one who has never been to Black Dragon Gorge is not considered to have come to Jinsixia National Forest Park”. Black Dragon Gorge, to the northeast of the Dan River Headwaters, is characterized by deep valleys and various karst caves, including Lovers Valley, Crescent Valley, Golden Lion Cave and Maitreya Buddha Cave. There is a beautiful legend about Lovers Valley. A poor guy fell in love with the daughter of a rich man. They often met in the valley and pledged to marry. Unfortunately, the rich man strongly disagreed and asked his servants to beat up the guy. In despair, the guy jumped into the valley. The daughter was so sad that she jumped into the valley to follow her lover. Later, in honour of their love, people called it Lovers Valley.
Walking to the west of Lovers Valley, visitors will see Crescent Valley, which is so named because it looks like a crescent moon. Crescent Gorge is the best place to enjoy Narrow Gorge landform.Near Lovers Valley and Crescent Gorge, you will find Golden Lion Cave and Maitreya Buddha Cave. Golden Lion Cave is an above ground karst cave, displaying calcite stones in various animal shapes, including lions, turtles, and crocodiles. Maitreya Buddha Cave is famous for its Maitreya-shaped stalactite. Beneath Maitreya Buddha, a stone turtle lies and the Goddess of Mercy stands beside the Buddha.

Travel Tips

Entrance Fee: CNY 230   (Includes Round-trip cable car and White Dragon Lake Boat inside the scenic area)

Opening Hours: 08:00-17:30

How to get there:If you start from Xian, about 209 kilometers away, you can take a bus at Fangzhicheng Long-distance Bus Station and get off at Jinsixia. The bus departs from 7:20 to 17:30 every 40 minutes, and the ticket costs CNY 54. The whole journey takes about 3 hours.

Best time to visit: from May to October

More Information:

1. The south of Jinsixia National Forest Park is higher than the north. It is recommended that you start the visit from the south gate so that you will be going downhill all the way to save energy. There are sightseeing buses running between the north and south gates of the Jinsixia National Geopark.
2. Every year from April to October, you can join in Jinsixia rafting activity. Rafting starts from the north gate parking lot and is 2,100 yards long (1,920 meters). The ticket price is CNY 128. The whole journey takes about 1.5 hours.
3. In the north gate Tourist Center of Jinsi Grand Canyon Forest Park, Jinsixia 5-dimentional Theater has been operating since 2013. A film, “Dragons Gorge”, which tells a romantic love story in the Qin Dynasty (221 B.C.-207 B.C.) and legends of Jinsi Gorge is showed. Ticket price is CNY 35.

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