Suqian Santai Mountain National Forest Park: A Healing Hiking Guide to the Misty Forest

As an outdoor blogger who spends most of their time "on the road", I'm obsessed with forest oxygen bars. This visit to Suqian Santai Mountain National Forest Park gave me an unexpected surprise. It's like an underrated collection of poems, with the delicacy of a Jiangnan garden and the grandeur of a northern mountain. Avoid the crowds and keep this guide to a hidden gem! 🌿 Mist Forest Trail: A fantastic journey into the Emerald City I entered the park at 8am and headed straight for the Mist Forest Trail. The wooden boardwalk meanders through the dense forest, and the water mist erupts every 15 minutes, instantly bringing the entire cedar forest to life. The sunlight shines through the trees, and under the Tyndall effect, it feels like you can touch the shape of the light. Tips: Wear a light-colored long dress for beautiful photos. Drones need to be declared in advance. 🌸 Natian Flower Sea: A stroll into Monet's world of oil paintings Passing through the forest, the open Natian Flower Sea took my breath away. The terraced flower sea is laid out along the mountain. I recommend climbing the Rainbow Bridge to overlook the scene. The red, yellow, and purple flower belts are like a palette of colors on the earth. I accidentally discovered a few thatched pavilions hidden in the flower fields. Sitting down and listening to the wind and the fragrance of flowers passing by my ears is the right way to "waste time". 🌊 Mirror Lake: Unlock hidden spots for forest photography In the afternoon, I went around to Mirror Lake on the north side, which 90% of visitors miss. The lake surface is as calm as glass, reflecting the dawn redwood forest on the opposite bank, and occasionally egrets fly low, breaking the silence. I found an old tree leaning against the water, set up a tripod, and took a picture of the "lake view in the tree hole". The stone beach by the lake is suitable for picnics. Remember to take your trash with you! ⛩ Tianhe Pagoda: A Zen moment to climb high and look far Before my physical strength ran out, I gritted my teeth and climbed up Tianhe Pagoda. The wind at the top of the seven-story pagoda instantly blew away my fatigue. Looking east, Luoma Lake is sparkling, and looking west, the city skyline is seamlessly connected to the forest. The copper bell on the eaves rings softly in the wind, forming a wonderful resonance with the bell of the Zhenru Zen Temple three kilometers away. 🚶♀️ My favorite hiking route (with map markings) ✅ Essence route: West Gate → Mist Forest Trail (1.5km) → Rainbow Bridge → Natian Village (lunch) → Mirror Lake (2km) → Tianhe Pagoda ✅ Walking route: Enter the East Gate and go counterclockwise, 8km for the whole journey, passing through Meiyuan and Xiangsi Lake ⚠️ There are many forks in the forest, so it is recommended to take a picture of the map at the entrance or turn on the "Santai Mountain Smart Tourism" mini program for navigation. 📌 Practical information package ⏰ Opening hours: 8:30-17:30 (last entry at 16:30) 🎫 Tickets: CNY 60 in peak season (half price for students), shuttle bus CNY 20/day unlimited times 🚌 Transportation: 15-minute taxi ride from Suqian High-speed Railway Station, bus 321 directly to the West Gate 🏡 Accommodation recommendation: "Yinhua Jian" homestay in the scenic area, with a view of the bamboo forest from the window ⚠️ Must-see Tips: 1. The temperature difference in the forest area is large, so bring a windproof jacket 2. Natian Restaurant recommends stewed chicken in an iron pot, which is super fragrant when stewed with firewood 3. The experience is better during the pear blossom festival from April to May and the red leaf season from September to October every year The beauty of Santai Mountain is that it is suitable for urban escapists who want to take a light hike, and it can also satisfy photography enthusiasts' obsession with light and shadow. When I lay on the grass slope of Natian Flower Sea and watched the clouds slowly pass over the spire of the pagoda, I suddenly understood what the ancients meant by "stealing half a day of leisure from a busy life". If you are tired of the crowds of Internet-famous attractions, come here and be a forest hermit for a day.