Maple leaves flutter down. Shimen National Forest Park awaits. Here, time seems to slow. Let’s explore Shimen together.
Shimen National Forest Park stands as Guangdong Province’s largest forest park. Established in 1995, it started as the state-owned Dalinshan Forest Farm in 1960. Shimen is more than just trees. It is an escape.
Imagine breathing air so fresh it tingles. Shimen has a forest coverage rate of 96.76%. The park spans 2626.67 hectares. That’s a lot of green.
Shimen sits in Guangzhou’s Tsunghua District. It is about 86 kilometers from Guangzhou city. The famous Tsunghua hot spring is only 13 kilometers away. Nankun Mountain Nature Reserve borders Shimen to the east. To the north, you can see Guangzhou Hydroelectric Storage Power Plant and Liushihe National Forest Park.
The climate here welcomes visitors all year. The average annual temperature is 21.4 degrees Celsius. July and August see average highs of 28.5 degrees Celsius. January and February bring average lows of 12.4 degrees Celsius.
Shimen earned recognition as the first international forest bathing resort. The former Ministry of Forestry approved it. Forest bathing is a Japanese practice. It is called Shinrin-yoku. It means soaking in the forest atmosphere. Studies show it reduces stress and boosts the immune system.
Three main tree types dominate Shimen. They are maple, sapium discolor, and Red Maple. Picture the vibrant autumn colors. The red leaves create stunning scenery.
Shimen National Forest Park is a popular spot for wedding photography. It is also the largest drivable forest park in Guangdong province. Bamboo groves abound. Blankets of blooming flowers create picturesque views. Towering mountains meet strangely shaped rocks. Murmuring streams flow into roaring waterfalls and serene lakes.
The park boasts 16,000 mu of original secondary forest. This is a rare sight in South China. That’s over one thousand kilometers of greenery. It is akin to a Chinese landscape painting.
Five scenic zones await exploration in Shimen. The Rural Scenery Zone offers a glimpse into local life. The Shimen Scenic Zone highlights the park’s iconic rock formations. The Shizao Scenic Zone presents floating clouds and unique rock formations. The Canyon Adventure Zone challenges hikers. The Tiantangding Scenic Zone boasts the Three Celestial Beings Meeting.
Reservoirs add to Shimen’s beauty. The largest is Taoyuan Reservoir. These mirror-like reservoirs resemble crystal gems. They are inlaid in the valleys and hills.
Must-see spots include Shimen with Fragrant Show and the Grand Canyon. Nanlong Deep and Secluded Valley is worth a visit. So are the Floating Clouds of Shizao and the Sparrow Flower Zone. The Red Lotus Zone and Baizhang Flying Waterfall await. Look for the Sleeping Great Man Statue. Explore the Water Entertainment Zone and the Ancient Turret.
Shimen offers seasonal delights. Red lotuses bloom from January to March. Rapeseed flowers bloom February to March during the Spring Festival. See Mucuna birdwoodiana in March and April. Garden cosmos appears in September and October. Red autumnal leaves arrive November to January. Peach blossoms bloom December to January.
Fruit tasting is popular here. March and April offer plums. Sanhua plums ripen May to June. Lychee is best in July and August. August and September bring longan. Enjoy tomatoes and Chinese chestnuts September to October. Oranges are ready October to November. Tangerines are harvested December to February.
As we conclude our visit to Shimen National Forest Park, consider its lasting impact. It is a place of natural beauty. Shimen offers an escape from city life. It is a place to reconnect with nature. Take a deep breath and remember the tranquility of Shimen.