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Visit the lush forests, explore the scenic trails, and enjoy hiking to reach the mountain peak for panoramic views. There are also opportunities for photography, birdwatching, and enjoying the tranquility of nature. Visitors can also experience local cultural activities and traditional performances if available.
Tongling Mountain Forest Park, located in Wencheng County, Zhejiang Province, features scenic spots such as the Tongling Gorge Scenic Area, Gaoba Feihong, Doutan, Crocodile Pond, Bailang Waterfall, Longtan, Xiaozhu Beach, Baiji Dolphin, Zuanshan Niu, Lingya, Twelve Terraces, Yinkeng Cave, Hukou Er Waterfall, Huxuetan, and Feilonggou.
Wenzhou has a mid-subtropical monsoon climate zone, with significant alternation between winter and summer monsoons, moderate temperatures, distinct four seasons, and abundant rainfall.
All seasons are suitable for visiting, but spring and autumn are the best.
Tongling Gorge Scenic Area: The canyon is over 100 meters wide at its widest point and 4-5 meters narrow at its narrowest. Dense, semi-primitive broadleaf forests cover both sides. Hundreds of birds sing in the forest, and flowers and wild fruits bloom year-round. The valley's dazzling blue lakes, bizarre rock formations, and beautiful beaches are a breathtaking sight.
[Rainbow over the High Dam] At the entrance to Tongling Gorge, a lake covering approximately 4 square kilometers, emerald green waters, cascades down from the 80-meter-high dam. When the spillway is opened, a curtain of water over 20 meters wide cascades down, resembling a cascading sea of clouds or a galloping horse, shocking the canyon. In the sunlight, a hundred rainbows hang in the sky, a truly spectacular sight.
Doutan: Five dragon pits snake out from the deep mountains and converge at its mouth. Beyond the pit's mouth, a rock shaped like a monster stands; beside the pond lies a cave. A few meters below the surface, a massive rock forms a gate, forming a rock gate. Legend has it that a Taoist priest named Ji from nearby Shajiaping Village went fishing at Doutan and caught buckets of red and black carp. When he brought the carp home, they instantly turned into a bucket of leaves. The Taoist priest counted on his fingers and realized it was a demonic being that was against him. He set up an incense table at home and instructed his wife to sound gongs and drums and scatter rice in the capital city an hour after his departure, hoping to help him defeat the demon. However, his wife, playful and forgetful, forgot to return home after Master Ji left. The Taoist priest engaged in a fierce battle with the demonic being, but without the support of gongs and drums or divine weapons, he eventually defeated the demonic being, but he was exhausted and died. Thus, Doutan got its name.
Crocodile Pond is located over 40 meters from Doutan. Within the crystal-clear water, a rock resembling a crocodile's head pokes out, its eyes wide open, peering around. Numerous aquatic animals play in the water. Beside the pond stands a massive rock platform, large enough to seat dozens of people. Above Crocodile Pond lies a deep, rectangular pool known as the Square Pond. Fish swim freely in both Crocodile Pond and the Square Pond, making fishing from the rock a truly unique experience.
Lying Lion Rock: Outside Crocodile Pond stands a rock resembling a lion resting quietly beside a turquoise stream, lost in the lush green mountains and flowing water. This rock is known as Lying Lion Rock. The ridge behind Lying Lion Rock is known locally as Five-Leaf Lotus Hill. Legend has it that it was formed when a five-leaf lotus throne was abandoned by a woman named Nüwa.
[Longtan] The waters of Crocodile Pond flow freely and unrestrainedly. Flowing over 80 meters, they cascade down a rock cliff, creating a cascade like a curtain of flowing water. Below lies the Dragon Pond. The pool is deep and vast, its emerald green water reflecting the ancient trees and vines lining its walls, as well as the colorful trees, flowers, and fruits of the green hills on both sides. A small bridge connects the two banks. The deep pool, flowing water, small bridge, ancient vines, old trees, and wild fruits form a breathtaking ink painting.
Bailang Waterfall: In the gorge beside Longtan, water cascades down an 89-meter waterfall, swirling through the rocks before plunging down a 15-meter cliff. This spectacular sight is known as Bailang Waterfall. Legend has it that Bailang was discriminated against by his stepmother, who forced him to collect firewood daily in the gorge. From the moment he met and fell in love with the Dragon Girl, they finally married thanks to the help of Li Tieguai, the couple, hence the name Bailang Waterfall.
[Xiaozhu Beach] Beyond Longtan, the winding peaks and swirling waters suddenly open up, revealing a vast beach hundreds of meters long and over sixty meters wide. Along the beach grow small bamboos, each as large as a thumb and over two meters tall. These bamboos are called Jiaoshun bamboos. When these bamboos produce shoots, the tops are old and the roots are tender, creating what people call "chushun bamboos." Legend has it that during a year of famine, when people had exhausted all wild vegetables and grass roots, a filial son prayed to the heavens, who, in pity, allowed the bamboos in this area to produce shoots to save the famine. Hence the name "Xiaoshun bamboos." However, a wicked daughter-in-law abused her mother-in-law, eating the tender shoots herself and giving the old ones to her. Angry, the heavens punished the wicked daughter-in-law by forcing the shoots' tops to mature first. From then on, the bamboo shoots earned the infamous nickname "disobedient shoots." Also located on the hills adjacent to the beach are Shuangyuan Rock, Woniu Mountain, and Bailangchu.
Baiji Dolphin is located in Xiaozhu. A rock, resembling a Baiji dolphin, pokes its head and body out from the sand in the beach, hence the name.
[Mountain Cow] On the left side of the beach, a huge peak rises from the ground, as if a cow has drilled into the peak, leaving only its butt outside, unable to move forward or retreat. If you listen carefully with your ears, you can even hear the cow's "mooing".
Lingya: On the hill to the right of Xiaozhu Beach, a cliff rises. From one side, it looks like a rooster's head, from the other, a general, and from yet another, a camel hump. People call it Lingya. Slightly above Lingya, there's another cliff that resembles the goddess Guanyin standing in the mighty wind, hence the name Guanyin Cliff.
[Twelve Terraces] (Twelve Gourd Ponds): The Xiaozhu Beach suddenly narrows, and clear waters flow through the boulders at the beach entrance, pouring into a narrow gorge over 100 meters long and four meters wide. The sky appears like a flowing ribbon. The gorge is flanked by S-shaped, polished stone walls, a breathtaking sight of natural beauty. Within the gorge, a series of deep, circular pools of varying sizes, resembling wine troughs, are larger in the middle and smaller at the bottom. These pools are known as the Twelve Terraces. Legend has it that a dragon girl long ago sought to marry a mortal. The Dragon King, enraged, imprisoned her in this deep mountain pool as punishment. Upon arriving, Tieguai Li Yun expressed his displeasure and offered to help the dragon girl escape the deep valley, fulfilling her wish. The dragon girl sighed, "My father has set up twelve dragon gates in the gorge ahead and used a bronze bell, a treasure from the Dragon Palace, to summon spirits, to transform it into a hundred-foot-high cliff, blocking the gorge's entrance." Tieguai Li threw the gourd, sending sand and rocks flying and the sky darkening. The gourd smashed open the Twelve Dragon Gates. Then, using a technique known as the "Moving Mountains and Seas," Li secretly moved the spirit-calling bronze bell elsewhere. The Dragon Girl finally vacated the Dragon Pond, spewing a dragon pearl at its mouth and shedding her dragon scales on the long beach. She then broke through the Twelve Dragon Gates and disappeared. Li Tieguai's force in smashing the gates was too great, leaving behind twelve gourd-deep pools.
[Tiger's Mouth Second Waterfall] The Twelve Terraces Mouth resembles a gaping bloody mouth. Water from the Twelve Terraces Mouth plummets into a cliff pool over ten meters high, known as the First Tiger's Mouth Waterfall. The water from the cliff pool then cascades down over 30 meters to form the Second Tiger's Mouth Waterfall. Looking up, you'll see sheer cliffs towering to the sky on either side of the waterfall mouth.
60 yuan/person
8:00-16:00
Tongling Mountain Forest Park is a natural and cultural gem in Zhejiang, offering both stunning natural beauty and a glimpse into the region's historical and ecological importance. It is part of efforts to preserve the area's biodiversity and provide an accessible escape into nature for both locals and tourists.
Tongling Mountain Forest Park is located in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province. You can get there by taxi from downtown Wenzhou or take a bus that heads toward the mountain area. It's not accessible via metro, so private transportation or local buses are the best options.
The park is typically open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The best times to visit are during the spring and autumn when the weather is mild, and the park is especially beautiful with seasonal foliage.
The entrance fee is generally around 30-50 RMB. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance of the park, and there might be options to book tickets online through local tourism websites for convenience.
Booking tickets in advance is not usually necessary unless you are visiting during peak tourist seasons or public holidays. It’s recommended to book a few days in advance during these times, but for regular visits, you can purchase tickets on-site.
You will need around 3-4 hours to fully explore the main areas of the park, including hiking and enjoying the scenery. If you want to take your time, consider spending a full day here to experience everything at a relaxed pace.
The highlights include the hiking trails leading to scenic viewpoints, the dense forested areas filled with local flora and fauna, and the peaceful mountain streams. The panoramic views from the summit are especially breathtaking.
Guided tours are available in Mandarin, and audio guides may also be provided at some of the main attractions within the park. These are great for visitors wanting to learn about the park's history and ecology in more detail.
The best viewpoints are located at the mountain summit, offering a sweeping view of the surrounding forest and valley. Other good photography spots include the serene streams and the forested pathways.
Start at the main entrance and take the lower trails to enjoy the forest scenery before heading upwards to the summit for the panoramic view. Afterward, explore the nearby streams and relax at the designated rest areas.
Night visits or light shows are not typically available at the park. However, some special tours may be arranged during festivals or peak seasons, but it's best to check with the park authorities in advance.
The park can get crowded during weekends and public holidays, especially in the summer and during Chinese New Year. For a quieter experience, visit on weekdays or during the off-season in spring or autumn.
The park offers basic facilities including toilets, rest areas, and food stalls. You can find local snacks, and there are several small shops selling souvenirs and drinks. Make sure to bring your own water if you plan to hike extensively.
The park is mostly suitable for able-bodied visitors. Some areas, especially the hiking trails leading to the summit, may be difficult for elderly or disabled visitors. However, there are some accessible paths and rest areas.
Cash is accepted at many locations within the park, but mobile payment options like Alipay and WeChat Pay are widely used for convenience. Credit cards may not be accepted in more remote areas, so it's best to carry some cash.
There are a few small restaurants and cafes located near the entrance of the park offering local Zhejiang cuisine. For more dining options, you can head to downtown Wenzhou, which has a variety of restaurants.
Vegetarian food options are available at some of the local restaurants, but for specific vegan or halal meals, you may need to look in Wenzhou city itself, where there are more diverse options.
There are several hotels in Wenzhou city, including mid-range and budget options. For a more nature-focused experience, consider staying in a guesthouse or inn near the park.
Nearby attractions include the Yandang Mountains and the Wenzhou Zoo. Both can be combined for a nature-focused day trip.
You can find local souvenirs such as hand-made crafts, traditional teas, and items related to the forest park, including nature-themed artwork and trinkets.
The best way to continue your trip is by taxi or bus back to Wenzhou city. If you're traveling further, Wenzhou offers train and bus connections to other parts of Zhejiang province and beyond.
