Guangzhou's Most Beautiful Forest — Shimen Forest Park

Introduction to Shimen National Forest Park
Shimen National Forest Park is located in the northeast of Conghua District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, covering a total area of 2,636 hectares with a forest coverage rate as high as 98.9%. It is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction, known as the "Oasis on the Tropic of Cancer." The park developed based on the state-owned Dalingshan Forest Farm established in 1960 and became the first international forest bathing site approved by the former Ministry of Forestry in 1995. It boasts 16,000 acres of well-preserved primary secondary forest in South China, and Tiantangding, at an altitude of 1,210 meters, is the highest peak in the Guangzhou area.

The park is divided into five major scenic areas: Pastoral Scenery Area, Shimen Scenic Area, Shizao Scenic Area, Tiantangding Scenic Area, and Canyon Adventure Area, featuring more than 50 attractions including the majestic Shimen, Shimen Red Leaves, Tianchi Flower Sea, primary secondary forest, and forest bathing sites. The scenery here changes with the seasons: spring brings a bloom of flowers, summer offers flying waterfalls and flowing springs, autumn displays mountains covered in red leaves, and winter features the Shimen fragrant snow. It is an ecological resort integrating natural sightseeing, forest health care, adventure, and summer retreat. The park is rich in rare flora and fauna, with over 50 species of precious trees such as cyatheas and Chinese swamp cypress. It has been honored as one of "Guangdong's Top Ten Most Beautiful Forests" and "Guangdong's Best Ecological Vacation Destination."

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🌿 Guangzhou’s hidden "natural oxygen bar," escape the city noise in a second
Just 86 kilometers from Guangzhou in Conghua lies a secret realm with 98.9% forest coverage — Shimen National Forest Park. Here, the peaks are lush and green, clouds and waves roll, featuring rare primary secondary forests in South China and poetic seasonal landscapes: in spring, enjoy the colorful carpet of the Tianchi Flower Sea; in summer, listen to waterfalls and streams in the canyon; in autumn, admire 3,000 acres of red leaves painting the hills (best viewing from mid-November to January); in winter, encounter the "Shimen fragrant snow" covering the mountains like a northern winter scene.

🚗 Must-visit by car: Two core scenic areas to enjoy all seasons
Shizao Scenic Area: The Upper and Lower Tianchi lakes are as clear as mirrors, the water plants garden’s dawn redwoods and reeds change colors with the seasons, the Tianchi Flower Sea’s hundred-acre flower fields bloom year-round, and Aiwan Pavilion and Zuihong Pavilion are perfect photo spots during the red leaf season, capturing the romance of "Guangdong’s Xiangshan."
Shimen Scenic Area: Hongfeng Lake and Baimang Pond reflect the layered forests, and in autumn and winter, the red, orange, and green mountains are as vivid as an oil painting. The ancient post road in the forest still bears the hoofprints of Tang and Song dynasty merchants, and walking here feels like traveling through a thousand years of history.

📌 Practical Tips
Tickets are 40 RMB per person, small car parking fee is 10 RMB. Self-driving is recommended (scenic spots are far apart within the park, making driving more flexible).
Hiking enthusiasts can challenge the Tiantangding ascent route; early morning and evening light is soft, perfect for capturing misty fairyland scenes.
Remember to bring sunscreen, drinking water, and mosquito repellent. Some sections are steep, so wearing comfortable sports shoes is better.

✨ Why is it worth a visit?
This is Guangzhou people’s "back garden" and a "healing place" to escape the city. When you stand on the ancient plank road, listen to birds chirping and water flowing, all worries are blown away by the mountain breeze. Not all old Guangzhou residents have been here, but those who have will fall in love with the secluded beauty of this mountain forest.

Post by Emily Brooks Hazel-15 | Oct 26, 2025