Aizhai National Forest Park
Aizhai National Forest Park consists of three independent areas: Aizhai, Hongshan (Red Mountain), and Shen’ao (Deep Depression). The park has a planned total area of 3,383.5 hectares, including Aizhai area (1,419.9 hectares), the Hongshan area (1,428.0 hectares), and the Shen’ao area (535.6 hectares). The forest lands cover an area of 3,075.7 hectares. The park is situated in the central subtropical monsoon humid climate zone, characterized by a subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest with a forest coverage rate of 87.1%. On October 31, 2013, it was approved as a national forest park by the former State Forestry Administration (SFA).
Aizhai National Forest Park lies in the southwestern part of Jishou City, Hunan Province. It is situated at the eastern foot of the Wuling Mountains, a branch of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The park covers a total area of 3,383.5 hectares. It offers a diverse range of tourism resources, including 98 major scenic spots that encompass five types: biological, geological, hydrological, astronomical, and cultural landscapes. It showcases the magnificent and verdant mountains, deep and steep canyons, vast and beautiful lakes or reservoirs, as well as the mystical and profound Miao ethnic culture. The park not only presents beautiful scenery but also embodies rich cultural connotations, allowing visitors to indulge in the beauty of nature while appreciating the charm of ethnic culture.
Each major scenic spot within the park possesses high quality, large scale, and distinctive features. These examples include the secondary forest landscape in the valleys, rare plant and animal population landscapes, limestone vegetation landscapes, the Qiaobi River Grand Canyon, the Maitreya Stone Buddha, Yuejin Reservoir, the Yixiantian Waterfall, the Aizhai Extra Large Suspension Bridge, and the millennium-old Miao villages. Each spot has its own unique characteristics, complementing each other and offering high aesthetic and scientific values.
The park's core attractions are its superior forest ecology and fascinating ethnic culture. It is a mountainous canyon and forest park that is based on the natural landscapes: flowing streams and waterfalls, mysterious canyons, peculiar peaks and rocks, secluded caves and cliffs, ancient trees and bamboo, as well as unique karst landforms. It combines "mysterious valleys, unique bridges, peculiar rocks, and distinctive customs." The park serves as a destination for mountainous canyon and forest tourism that encompasses forest tourism, summer retreats, cultural sightseeing, fitness and entertainment, and scientific education. Therefore, it is not only regarded as a natural retreat for summer vacations but also an ideal destination for year-round forest ecological tourism and leisure sightseeing.
