Wulingyuan

Wulingyuan ([ù.lǐŋ.ɥɛ̌n], Chinese: 武陵源) is a scenic and historical site in the Wulingyuan District of South Central China's Hunan Province. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.[1] It is noted for more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks across most of the site, many over 200 metres (660 ft) in height, along with many ravines and gorges with attractive streams, pools, lakes, rivers and waterfalls.[1] It features 40 caves, many with large calcite deposits, and a natural bridge named Tianqiashengkong (Bridge Across the Sky),[1] which is one of the highest natural bridges in the world.

For other uses, see Wulingyuan District.
Wulingyuan
UNESCO World Heritage Site
The sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan extend hundreds of meters over the valley floor
Official nameWulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
LocationWulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, Hunan, China
CriteriaNatural: (vii)
Reference640
Inscription1992 (16th session)
Area26,400 ha (102 sq mi)
Coordinates29°20′N 110°30′E
Location of Wulingyuan in Hunan
Wulingyuan (China)
Wulingyuan
"Wulingyuan" in Chinese characters
Chinese武陵源

The site is situated in Zhangjiajie City and lies about 270 kilometres (170 mi) to the northwest of Changsha, the capital of Hunan Province. The park covers an area of 690 square kilometers (266 square miles).[2] Wulingyuan forms part of the Wuling Mountain Range. The scenic area consists of four national parks, which are the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and the recently added Yangjiajie Scenic Area. Overall there are over 560 attraction sights to view.[2]

Geography

The highest area in the park is Huang Shi Zhai (黃石寨). It reaches a height of 3,450 feet (1,050 m) It is accessible via cable car or a set of stairs.

Main Scenic Spots

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie, also known as Qingyan Mountain, covers an area of 130 square kilometers and is the first national forest park in China. It was featured as a peculiar landform with many unique stone peaks with different shapes and luxuriant trees. It’s said that over 97 percent of the park is covered with various kinds of valuable trees and other plants. [3]


Yellow Stone Stronghold

Among all the scenic spots in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yellow Stone Stronghold is the most famous one. The peak of the stronghold is towering into the sky with great grandeur, which gives people a sense of magnificence. It is said that "if you don't go to Yellow Stone Stronghold, you will go to Zhangjiajie in vain". Located in the central part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it has an altitude of 1080 meters with an area of 16.5 hectares. In addition, it is honored as the most beautiful viewing platform in Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area.


Golden Whip Stream

Another beautiful scenic area in the forest park is the Golden Whip Stream. It is one of the earliest developed scenic spots in the park, with a total length of 7,500 meters. The most beautiful scenery in Wulingyuan is along the stream. After entering Zhangjiajie Forest Park, 300 meters ahead is the entrance of the stream. It gives one a full sense of the delicacy and beauty of Wulingyuan's landscape. Mr. Wu Guanzhong, a famous Chinese painter, has praised it as a "fairy tale world".

  • Panorama of the Five Fingers Peak of Huangshizhai
  • Zhangjiajie River
  • Wulingyuan park entrance

References
  1. "Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area". Unesco World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  2. "Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Area". Travel China Guide.
  3. "Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area Zhangjiajie,China". www.chinatourstar.com. Retrieved 2020-12-16.


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