Wulingyuan Zhangjiajie National Forest Park
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Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (aka Zhangjiajie Scenic Area) is situated at the juncture of Zhangjiajie City, Sangzhi County and Cili County of Hunan Province. The park is located in the northwest of wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area (aka Wulingyuan Scenic Area), neighboring Suoxiyu and Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve. There are immense forests of ancient trees, with more than 2,000 marvellous peaks. They are concentrated on the characteristics of strangness, wildness, loftiness, perilousness, and elegance.
The most outstanding characteristic of the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is picturesqueness, take Huangshizhai (at an elevation of 1,334 meters, the summit) and Jinbianyan as examples, on both sides of the ancient path to the top along the Jinbian River, there are uniquely organized stone forests, which look like human beings or beasts. They are lifelike and all vividly named, eg: “The Couple,” “a Winged Steed”, etc. Among them, Jinbianyan (Golden Whip Peak) is the most striking. It is a unique peak with an altitude of 350m, like a huge column pointing to the sky. When the sun goes down, it becomes golden, sparkling in the sunlight. A legend has it that a magic whip flung by the First Emperor of the Qin dynasty when he was angry.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is also home to three ethnic groups - Tujia, Bai and Miao, which together make up approximately 70% of the local population. Although influnenced by China's dominant Han culture, these minorities maintain much of their traditional culture, including language, festivals, clothing, and archtectural styles as well.
In 1982, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was designated as a National Forest Park. It encompasses 13,000 square kilometers. The entire area is a primitive limestone landscape, home to over 500 species of trees and animals. Rare trees include the gingko, dove tree and dawn redwood, fauna ranges from civet cats and monkeys to game, birds, and salamanders.
