Autumn Invades the Secret Realm of the Yellow Sea Forest! The Ecological Epic of the Yanfudadi Land Holds the Youthful Imprints of Several Generations

As the autumn morning light just spread over the coastline of Dongtai, I stepped into the Yellow Sea Forest Park through the thin mist. Unlike the neatly trimmed greenery in the city, the trees here carry a wild and vigorous spirit. Dawn redwoods and pond cypresses pierce the sky straight, and the light spots filtering through the branches dance on the ground like scattered gold flakes. Taking a deep breath, the air is filled with the fresh scent of pine needles and moist earth, mixed with a faint salty hint of seawater—this is the unique autumn flavor belonging to the shores of the Yellow Sea.

Walking along the wooden boardwalk, the planks creak underfoot, as if conversing with the passing time. Few people know that this now "natural oxygen bar" was once a severely saline-alkali wasteland. In the 1960s, a group of educated youth responded to the call and came here. With simple tools, they dug pits, nurtured seedlings, and watered the saline land, stubbornly turning each sapling into the towering trees we see today. Scattered old photo display boards in the forest show young people rolling up their pants and carrying seedlings—these images are especially touching. Their sweat soaked the saline land and planted the seeds of hope for this land.

Reaching the Educated Youth Memorial Hall deep in the forest, old shovels, water bottles, and yellowed diaries are quietly exhibited. A diary from 1968 records the daily life of an educated youth: "Today I planted 50 dawn redwoods again. My palms have blisters, but seeing the seedlings take root makes it all worthwhile." The persistence and passion between the lines warm the heart. In the educated youth forest outside the hall, each tree bears a plaque with the name of its planter. These names and trees together have become the most precious memories of the Yellow Sea Forest.

The afternoon sun grows warm, and I rent a bicycle to ride along the forest road. On both sides, the Koelreuteria trees are laden with red fruits, hanging like little lanterns on the branches. Occasionally, fallen leaves drift onto my shoulders, carrying the gentleness of autumn. Along the way, I meet a few local elders who are picking pine cones with their grandchildren. One elder points to the distant woods and says, "When we were kids, this place was bare. Now to have such a good place, it’s all thanks to the educated youth back then." The children’s smiling faces holding pine cones, together with the distant forest, form a peaceful picture of time.

At dusk, I sit on the viewing platform at the forest’s edge to watch the sunset. The setting sun dyes the sky orange-red, and the afterglow sparkles on the sea surface. The calls of returning birds rise and fall, intertwining with the chirping of insects in the forest, composing an autumn symphony. At this moment, the forest sheds the daytime bustle and becomes quiet and gentle, as if telling the story of more than half a century of change.

When leaving, I write in the guestbook at the exit: "Every tree here hides a story, every breeze carries warmth." Yellow Sea Forest Park is not just a scenic spot with beautiful views; it is a living ecological epic. It records the struggle between humans and nature and witnesses the perseverance of several generations. If you are tired of the city's noise, why not take a walk here? In the autumn forest, feel the weight of time and the beauty of nature. Perhaps, like me, you will be deeply moved by the stories here.

Post by TIFFANY COLE | Oct 24, 2025