[2025 Zhouzhi Attraction] Travel Guide for Heihe National Forest Park (Updated May)

Xi'an residents are in for a treat! With Qingming Festival approaching, I'd like to recommend a hidden gem near Xi'an - Zhouzhi County 🌈 ~ I just returned from there, and discovered 🌿3 incredibly scenic driving routes🌿, perfect for a day trip or a two to three-day adventure. ~ ❤️Guanzhong Ring Road (Apricot blossoms in Hufen Village, plum blossoms and magnolias in Qinling National Botanical Garden) The Guanzhong Ring Road (Provincial Road 107), particularly the section near the Qinling Mountains, is locally known as the "Mountain Ring Road." 🔹Hufen Village Apricot Blossoms: At the Gengyu entrance of Qinling Mountains, Hufen Village is in full spring bloom, with clusters of apricot blossoms resembling pink and white clouds adorning the branches. 🔹Qinling National Botanical Garden's Plum Blossoms and Magnolias: As China's first national botanical garden, this is the perfect spot to see a variety of flowers in bloom. ~ ❤️Zhouyuan Road (Plum blossoms in Longyang Valley) Zhouzhi's most beautiful mountain road - "Zhouyuan Road" extends over 40 kilometers, connecting multiple Qinling valleys including Xinkou Valley, Huyu Valley, Xiluo Valley, Zhuyu Valley, and Niyu Valley. Along the way, you'll find Luoyu Reservoir, cafes, guesthouses, ancient temples, and the entrance to the ancient Tangluo Path. 🔹"Longyang Valley Plum Garden": The garden primarily features pink and white plum blossoms that stretch as far as the eye can see. The plum trees are scattered from the valley floor up to the mountain ridge, creating a "plum blossom paradise." ~ ❤️National Highway 108 (Cornus officinalis flower sea in Huaerping Village, Houzhenzi Town, and the thousand-year-old Magnolia King in Yinjiapin) National Highway 108 is renowned as one of the most beautiful drives through the Qinling Mountains. Heading deep into the mountains, you'll find Heihe National Forest Park, and crossing the Qinling range leads to Foping County in Hanzhong. 🔹Huaerping Village, Houzhenzi Town: Located 76 kilometers from Xianyou Temple at the valley entrance (about 2 hours by car), this is a pristine area at the source of the Heihe River. More than just a village, it's a "Cornus Valley" with mountains covered in Cornus officinalis trees and flowers. 🔹Magnolia King in Yinjiapin Village: Located on the ancient Tangluo Path, Yinjiapin Village is home to a 1,200-year-old "Magnolia King." It's not only the "Qinling Magnolia King" but also listed as one of China's most beautiful ancient trees. Due to lower temperatures this year, blooming is delayed, and there's a good chance to catch peak magnolia blooms during Qingming Festival. ~ ✅Admission: Qinling National Botanical Garden CNY 45, Heihe National Forest Park (including Huaerping Village and Magnolia King) CNY 50, Longyang Valley Plum Garden CNY 15, others are free ✅To see everything, plan for an overnight stay. Recommended accommodation is in Huaerping Village within Heihe National Forest Park, where there are many farmstays and guesthouses 🔹Day 1: Huyu Valley entrance - Qinling National Botanical Garden - Longyang Valley Plum Garden - Xiluo Reservoir - Xianyou Temple - Heihe National Forest Park (with free Huli Valley nearby) - Huaerping Village 🔹Accommodation: Huaerping Village 🔹Day 2: Explore Huaerping Village's Cornus officinalis flower sea - Visit the thousand-year-old Magnolia King in Yinjiapin - Return journey

Heading north along National Highway 108 [Highway]We embarked on a journey full of surprises. Zhouzhi National Highway 108 [RedHeart] winding It is like a ribbon inlaid in the Qinling Mountains. Here, [Mountain] is full of greenery and verdant mountains. One can't help but be intoxicated by the wonders of nature. [Heihe Jinpen Reservoir, a shining pearl inlaid in the Qinling Mountains✨] Driving on National Highway 108, we arrived at the Heihe Jinpen Reservoir. [Desert] The lake here is clear and the waves are blue. Surrounded by mountains, it looks like a beautiful landscape painting. Standing on the reservoir dam, feeling the breeze on your face, 🥳listening to the lake water lapping against the shore It makes people feel relaxed and happy and linger. 【Xianyou Temple, a thousand-year-old temple filled with Buddhist chants】 Continue along the Heihe Jinpen Reservoir We came to the thousand-year-old temple - Xianyou Temple. There are towering ancient trees and lingering incense⛰️ The quaint buildings complement the surrounding natural landscape. Wandering in the temple, listening to the lingering Buddhist chants, and feeling the Zen tranquility, it seems as if time has stopped at this moment. [Glister] Bai Juyi, a famous Tang Dynasty poet, wrote "Song of Everlasting Sorrow" here. 【Trip Moments record and freeze the beautiful moments】 On this journey We used our camera to record the magnificent scenery of National Highway 108 The tranquility and peace of the Heihe Jinpen Reservoir and the mysterious simplicity of the Xianyou Temple. Every picture These are all beautiful moments given to us by nature. Here, we feel the magical charm of nature. Experience the profound historical heritage Let us carry on with this beauty. Explore more unknown worlds. The journey is over, check in. This store is very clean, the rooms are comfortable and the price is good. Very cost-effective! The journey is long and the scenery is endless. I look forward to meeting you.

Destination Overview Heihe Forest Park: Located in the hinterland of the Qinling Mountains, a summer retreat. Zhouzhi Old County Town: Known as the 'Shangri-La' of northern China. Houzhenzi: A lodging point along the way. 🚗 Transportation Route Departure: Depart from Xi'an, take the expressway at Qujiang, and exit the expressway at Laoyu. Heihe Forest Park: After exiting the expressway, head there, the mountain road is wide, and driving is not difficult. Houzhenzi: From Heihe Forest Park to Houzhenzi, the road is narrow, and skilled driving is required. Old County Town: Head there after breakfast the next day, about a 40-minute drive. 🏞 Itinerary Day One: Arrive at Houzhenzi and check into a farmhouse. Barbecue in the evening, pay attention to keeping warm and mosquito prevention. Day Two: Head to the old county town after breakfast. Visit the old county town village and enjoy the natural beauty. 📌 Important Notes Vehicle preparation: Fill up with gas and charge batteries before departure. Ticket purchase: Buy tickets for Heihe Forest Park online one day in advance to save 10 yuan. Time management: Entry into Heihe Forest Park is not allowed after 6 pm, so arrive early. 🌟 Special Experiences Heihe Forest Park: Enjoy the cool summer and nature. Houzhenzi Farmhouse: Experience local life and barbecue in the evening. Zhouzhi Old County Town: Explore history and enjoy the grassland scenery.

1. In April, the Heihe National Forest Park gradually dresses in vibrant greenery. The lush grass and trees, the fragrance of flowers, and the chirping of birds intertwine, immersing you in the heartwarming beauty of nature. Frequent visits to Heihe in April to delight in the spring outing and mountain journey 2. In April, the Cercis chinensis flowers gradually fill the mountains, dancing like purple sprites, densely packed, hanging in clusters on the branches; symbolizing kinship, unity, and harmony, their closely clustered blossoms resemble the deep affection and strong bonds within a family, inseparable. During the blooming season of Cercis chinensis, why not travel with family and friends through the sea of flowers? 3. On the self-drive trip to Heihe, you'll pass by the Heihe Reservoir. Take a moment to stop at the viewing platform, gaze upon the grand and majestic Heihe water project, and enjoy the great rivers and mountains of the Qinling range; with the occasional blooming spring flowers, it's also a perfect spot for taking photos and marking the beautiful springtime~ Heihe National Forest Park

Spring is really too too too wonderful! 🚗Depart from Xi'an for 2h! The thousand-year-old Magnolia King hidden in the deep mountains is so beautiful it leaves you speechless! 🌷In addition to magnolias, there are fields of rapeseed flowers➕cornelian cherries➕cercis flowers➕tulip flower seas... 🏠Hidden mountain villages, ancient temples, and babbling brooks in the deep mountains... 📷Weekend self-driving trips to enjoy the greenery and take the kids out, this place really fills you with happiness - 📍Shaanxi Heihe National Forest Park ⏰Opening hours: 8:00-18:00 (reserve 1 day in advance) ✨Recommended play time: 2-3 days, suitable for self-driving/cycling/motorcycle touring - 🗺️Tour route: Shuiyuan Villa (Tourist Service Center) ➡️ Heihe Canyon ➡️ One-Line Sky ➡️ Thousand-Year-Old Magnolia King ➡️ Houzhenzi Town (convenient accommodation) ➡️ Huaerping Village (ten thousand mu of cornelian cherry flower sea) ➡️ Tiejia Villa - 1️⃣Xianyou Temple Museum This is where Bai Juyi wrote 'The Song of Everlasting Sorrow'! You can also see stone carvings by Wu Daozi and the Fawang Pagoda built by Emperor Wen of Sui... The museum courtyard architecture is beautiful and worth a leisurely visit - 2️⃣Shaanxi Heihe National Forest Park Don't squeeze with the crowds in the city to enjoy spring flowers! The thousand-year-old Magnolia King here is already in bloom There are also fields of cornelian cherries and babbling brooks The spring breeze is really too too too comfortable - 3️⃣Houzhenzi Town - Huaerping Village There are many homestays in the town, and accommodation is convenient Here you can visit Huaerping Village Ten thousand mu of cornelian cherry flower sea, ancient tree forest The village hidden in the mountains is quiet and comfortable, very healing - 4️⃣Tiejia Villa Sisters who like quiet places with few people must go here Tall trees and primeval forests The 500-year-old iron armor trees and ancient paths are really worth a visit if you have enough time - Touring tips: 1. It is recommended to travel by car and prepare for 2-3 days for a more relaxed experience 2. There is a big temperature difference between morning and evening in the mountains, bring a coat 3. Mountain roads are generally in average condition, drive carefully 4. Shopping is inconvenient in deep mountain villages, bring your own snacks -

Shaanxi Heihe National Forest Park is home to a thousand-year-old magnolia. It is currently the flowering season, attracting a large number of tourists to visit. This is the oldest, thickest, largest-crowned, most floriferous, and most beautifully colored Magnolia King found in China to date, and it is also a beautiful calling card for Zhouzhi's ecological tourism. D1: In the morning, depart from Xi'an, pass through the Zhouzhi Xianyou Temple Museum, visit the precious cultural relics and famous calligraphy and stele works in the museum, and understand the long history and profound cultural heritage of Zhouzhi. In the afternoon, arrive at Shaanxi Heihe National Forest Park, and admire the thousand-year-old magnolia, which has been rated as one of the 85 most beautiful ancient trees in the country by the National Greening Committee. In the evening, gather around the campfire, with laughter and joy. D2: In the morning, visit Houzhenzi Huaerping Village to see the sea of Cornus officinalis flowers covering thousands of acres. On the return trip, you can also visit the Louguantai, Qinling National Botanical Garden, Zhouzhi Water Street, Fireworks Alley, etc., to enjoy the beauty of the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains everywhere and taste authentic local cuisine. The spring breeze first brings out the plum blossoms in the garden, followed by the blooming of cherry, apricot, peach, and pear trees. Shepherd's purse flowers and elm pods are deep in the village, also saying that the spring breeze comes for me. Zhouzhi has always been known as 'the most blessed place in the world.' Take advantage of the weekend, embrace the spring breeze; come to Zhouzhi, the more you come, the more blessings you receive.