[2025 Hezheng Attraction] Travel Guide for Songmingyan National Forest Park (Updated Apr)

The temples stood perched on the cliff face like eagle nests; the endless steps took me higher and higher, as I felt like I was climbing the back of sleeping giant. As I finally reached the top of the mountain I walked through a forest of ancient pine trees. Long after the emperors who built the temples have turned to dust and taken their place in history books, these trees, these silent witnesses are still standing tall and proud, braving the storms. There was an explosion of crude green so I decided to mute it with black and white photos, and keep the green forever in my heart and memories. Located in the Taizi Shan mountain range, a short distance from the town of Hezheng, Songmingyan National forest park is a great place to visit in every season. Go in the summer for endless hiking possibilities; take a trip there in the winter if you want to ski; autumn is the season of a thousand hues of rusty leaves; while spring will delight you with the smell of flowers. #mountainview #hiking #forest

[Linxia] In the embrace of the upper reaches of the Yellow River, there is a land full of rich Islamic culture - Linxia. It is not only an important node on the ancient Silk Road, but also a treasure trove of diverse cultures. When it comes to Linxia, people always think of the magnificent mosques, the colorful Bafang Thirteen Alleys, and the fragrant hand-grabbed mutton. However, the charm of Linxia is far more than that. Today, let's walk into this magical land and explore those little-known surrounding attractions. The first thing that catches your eye is the Dadun Gorge Scenic Area in Jishishan County. The mountains here are green and the water is like a mirror, known as the "Little Jiuzhai on the Loess Plateau". Along the winding path into the canyon, you will find one surprise after another: waterfalls cascading down, rainbows looming; exotic flowers and plants are scattered in the forest, and the sound of birds is pleasant. Here, every breath is the purest taste of nature. Next, you might as well drive to Songmingyan, which is only a few dozen kilometers away from Linxia City. This is a national forest park, named after the sound of pine waves like thousands of horses galloping when the wind rises. Walking on the dense forest boardwalk, listening to the low moan of the wind blowing through the pine needles, your soul will be at peace like never before. When you reach the top, you can see the surrounding peaks and ridges, like an ink painting under the sunlight. Of course, how can you miss the mysterious Bingling Lake when you come to Linxia? This artificial lake behind the Liujiaxia Hydropower Station has a winding shoreline of 53 kilometers. You can take a boat tour to enjoy the steep cliffs and various islands on both sides. Among the lakes and mountains, there are also ancient Buddhist caves - Bingling Temple Grottoes. They have gone through thousands of years of vicissitudes and still silently tell the stories of the past. Finally, allow me to take you to a secret place in Dongxiang Autonomous County - Wangji Wetland Park. There are vast reeds, scattered ponds, and flocks of migratory birds. When the sun sets, the entire wetland is shrouded in golden light, as if entering a dream world. Through the exploration of these little-mentioned surrounding attractions, we can see a more colorful side of Linxia. Every place has its unique history and story, and every landscape contains endless vitality. Just like this land of Linxia, it has both the accumulation of heavy history and the beauty of nature's gifts. I hope this short article can inspire your curiosity about the unknown world and encourage every travel-loving friend to discover more beautiful chapters of their own. After all, "the best scenery is always on the road".

Songmingyan, located at the steep stone gate at the southern end of Hezheng County, is 2,730 meters above sea level and was built during the Ming Chenghua period. Whenever the wind rises, the pine trees here are like waves, and the neat rhythm moves, and its voice is like a drumstick and a horse, so it is named "Songmingyan". There are temples built on the rock wall. There are the Heavenly King Hall, the Bodhisattva Hall, the Jade Emperor Pavilion and the Palace of the Queen Mother, so this is a holy place where Buddhist Taoism coexists. The abbots on the mountain stayed here for 40 years. The time was gone, although the hands had been immersed in black by the ash, but the old abbot still maintained a sincere and pure heart. Every time a visitor visits him, he will be enthusiastic. Sing a local folk song for them. On the way to climbing the mountain, we often see small wooden sticks in the seams of the mountains. There are many sayings from the folks. Some say that they are looking for the mountain god to support themselves, and they have to live straight outside, some say It is to detect whether the stone is moving. If the stone is moving slowly, the tree branch will be pushed down or even broken. The inspector can know it in time, so as to make corresponding judgment and prevention. Early warning system. Next to is the Songmingyan Ski Resort, which is a good place for winter travel.

Songmingyan National Forest Park is located in the Taizishan Forest Area, 25 kilometers south of Hezheng County, Linxia Prefecture, Gansu Province. The total area of the park is 2,666 hectares, which consists of Songmingyan Scenic and Historic District, Yaoshuixia Water Recreation Area, Badugou Alpine Botanical Garden, Lushanziliang Forest Scenic Area and Xiaoxia Leisure Resort. The park is located in the forest area of Taizi Mountain. It has a relatively high height difference, and there are many kinds of animals and plants, and there are more than 130 kinds of shrubs and shrubs. Every year from April 26th to April 28th, thousands of good men and women and tourists come from all directions, Linxia, Hezheng, Guanghe, Kangle, Zhuoni, Xiahe, Linyi and other places. The folk singers such as Han, Hui, Dongxiang, and Baoan are gathered here to set up tents and stay up all night. On the slopes of Songmingyan, under the shade of trees, by the creeks, between the jungles, the songs are sung and commemorated to be beautiful. The fairy of singing. Visit the mountains to sing flowers or pray for disasters, ask God for a wish, and hold a Buddhist Longhua event. April 28 is the climax of the Flower Club, so Songming Rock is commonly known as "April 8". "The old bathing new Buddha, the eight thousand girls singing peony" is a true portrayal of the Songmingyan Flower Club.