Tangwang River Linhai Qishi Scenic Area is located in Tangwang County, Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national geopark, and the first national geopark featuring Xiaoxing'anling stone forest landscapes approved in China. The scenic area is characterized by rare granite stone forest landforms and vast primeval forests, with a total area of 190 square kilometers, of which the core landscape area is about 20 square kilometers. The forest coverage rate in the scenic area is as high as 98%, with various rare tree species such as Korean pine, larch, and spruce distributed, forming a unique ecological landscape of "trees growing on stones and stones hidden in forests". The granite stone forests here formed during the Indosinian movement period about 250 million years ago. Through long-term weathering, erosion and other geological processes, they have created a variety of strange stone landscapes, which have high geological research and tourism value and are known as "the first stone forest in Xiaoxing'anling".
History and Culture
The Tangwang River basin is a traditional settlement of ethnic minorities such as Oroqen and Ewenki. They made a living by hunting and nomadic life in history, leaving rich ethnic cultural relics. The ethnic minorities around the scenic area still retain traditional customs such as hunting culture and birch bark handicraft production. Tourists can learn about the relevant history through the folk custom exhibition area in the scenic area.
From a geological history perspective, the formation process of the granite stone forests in the scenic area spans hundreds of millions of years, witnessing the geological changes in the Xiaoxing'anling region. In the 1980s, the local area began to investigate and protect this unique landform. The scenic area was officially established and opened to the public in 2003, and was rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2013, becoming an important window to display the geological and ecological culture of Xiaoxing'anling.
Main Attractions
Yixiantian (One-Line Sky)
Yixiantian is one of the iconic landscapes of the scenic area. It is formed by two huge granite peaks over 20 meters high standing parallel to each other. The gap between the two peaks is only 0.6 meters wide, allowing visitors to pass sideways. Looking up at the sky through the gap, only a line of blue sky can be seen, hence the name "Yixiantian". The surface of the peaks is covered with honeycomb-like weathering traces, which is a typical landform formed by long-term weathering and erosion of granite, with a strong visual impact, and is a must-visit place for tourists to take photos.
Yingzuiyan (Eagle's Beak Rock)
Yingzuiyan is a huge granite rock shaped like an eagle's beak, about 15 meters high and 8 meters wide. The top of the rock is sharp and protruding, like an eagle overlooking the forest sea, hence the name. The bottom of the rock is only slightly connected to the base, seeming to be precarious but standing firmly for millions of years, showing the magic of geological processes. Its formation is due to the differential weathering of different lithological parts in the granite body, and the hard parts remain to form a unique shape. It is surrounded by dense Korean pine forests, forming a landscape combining dynamic and static.
Linhai Guanyin (Guanyin in the Forest Sea)
Linhai Guanyin is a naturally formed huge granite boulder, about 12 meters high. Its overall shape resembles a sitting Guanyin statue, with coordinated proportions of the head and body, and a serene expression. The boulder is located in an open forest, surrounded by green trees, as if Guanyin is standing quietly guarding the forest sea, so it is regarded as an auspicious symbol by the local people. This landscape is endowed with strong cultural implications due to its lifelike shape, attracting many tourists to stop and pray.
Korean Pine Mother Forest
The Korean Pine Mother Forest is located in the eastern part of the scenic area, covering an area of about 500 hectares. It is one of the well-preserved primeval Korean pine forests in Xiaoxing'anling. The average age of the Korean pines in the forest is over 200 years, the maximum age is over 500 years, the average height is 30 meters, and the diameter at breast height is about 80 centimeters. The Korean pines here are tall and straight, forming a dense canopy. Under the forest, there are various medicinal plants such as Schisandra chinensis and Acanthopanax senticosus, as well as rare fungi. Tourists can walk along the forest plank road to feel the tranquility and vitality of the primeval forest, which is an ideal area for forest bathing and ecological popular science.
Fengdongshi (Wind-Moving Stone)
Fengdongshi is an elliptical granite stone with a diameter of about 5 meters and a weight of about 100 tons. The bottom is connected to the base rock with only a very small contact area. It will shake slightly when the wind blows, but never falls, which can be called a natural wonder. Its formation is due to the differential weathering of different lithological parts in the granite body, and the hard parts remain to form a unique shape. It is surrounded by dense Korean pine forests, forming a landscape combining dynamic and static.
Cuisine
Shanyewèi Dùncài (Wild Game Stew)
Shanyewèi Dùncài is a local specialty food, mainly using wild ingredients from the forests around the scenic area, such as roe deer meat, pheasant, wild boar ribs, etc., cooked together with potatoes, vermicelli, mushrooms, etc. The dishes are slowly stewed in traditional iron pots, with tender meat and rich soup, rich in protein and amino acids. Among them, "pheasant stewed with mushrooms" is the most classic, using wild hazel mushrooms stewed with pheasants, full of umami, which is a representative dish to experience the dietary culture of the Northeast forests, with an average consumption of about 80-120 yuan per person.
Linwa Yougeng (Forest Frog Oil Soup)
Linwa Yougeng is made from the oviduct of forest frogs (northeast forest frogs specialty) in Xiaoxing'anling, boiled with rock sugar, white fungus, wolfberry, etc. Forest frog oil is rich in protein, vitamins and various trace elements, with the effect of nourishing and beautifying, and has a smooth and sweet taste. Restaurants in the scenic area mostly use traditional craftsmanship to make it, which is a famous health-preserving food in the local area, with a price of about 60-100 yuan per serving.
Shanyecai Yan (Wild Vegetable Feast)
Shanyecai Yan consists of a variety of wild vegetables, including Aralia elata, dandelion, Artemisia integrifolia, bracken, etc. These wild vegetables are all picked from the pollution-free forests around the scenic area, rich in dietary fiber and minerals. There are various cooking methods, which can be cold mixed, stir-fried or used as stuffing. For example, "cold mixed Aralia elata" is crisp and refreshing, "stir-fried bracken with shredded pork" is fresh and delicious. A feast can present more than 10 kinds of wild vegetable dishes, with an average consumption of about 50-80 yuan per person, reflecting the natural and healthy diet of the Northeast mountainous areas.
Tickets
The ticket price is 90 yuan per person (including sightseeing bus).
You can search for the official WeChat public account "花岗岩石林地质公园" to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The peak season (May 1 - October 31) of the scenic area is open from 7:30 to 17:30 (admission stops at 16:30); the off-season (November 1 - April 30 of the next year) is open from 8:30 to 16:30 (admission stops at 15:30). In winter, some plank roads may be closed due to snow, and some attractions need to be visited along designated routes; from December to February every year, the scenic area will launch ice and snow stone forest landscapes, and the opening hours remain unchanged, but it is recommended that tourists check the road conditions and opening information of attractions in advance.
Tour Route
Recommended one-day tour route: Arrive at the scenic area before 9:00 am, take a sightseeing bus to Yixiantian attraction (about 15 minutes), visit Yixiantian and the surrounding stone forest group (about 1.5 hours); then go to Yingzuiyan (about 20 minutes on foot), enjoy the strange rock features and take photos (about 1 hour). Have lunch at the forest restaurant in the scenic area at noon (average consumption is about 60 yuan per person). In the afternoon, take a sightseeing bus to Linhai Guanyin attraction (about 10 minutes), feel the landscape combining nature and humanity (about 40 minutes); then go to the Korean Pine Mother Forest, walk along the plank road to experience the primeval forest (about 1.5 hours); finally visit Fengdongshi (about 30 minutes), take the sightseeing bus back to the scenic area entrance before 16:30, and end the trip. If time permits, you can stay near the scenic area and experience rafting or folk village activities nearby the next day.
Transportation
- Bus: Yichun Passenger Transport Terminal has direct buses to Tangwang County, one bus per hour from 6:00 to 15:00 every day, with a journey of about 2 hours and a fare of 25 yuan per person; after arriving in Tangwang County, you can take a taxi (about 10 yuan) or a bus line (2 yuan per person) to the scenic area (about 6 kilometers from the county seat).
- Self-driving: Starting from Yichun City, drive along Henei Highway (G1111) towards Tangwang River, with a total distance of about 110 kilometers and a journey of 1.5 hours; starting from Harbin City, drive along Suibei Expressway (G1111) and then transfer to Henei Highway (G1111), with a total distance of about 450 kilometers and a journey of 5.5 hours. The charging standard for the scenic area parking lot is 10 yuan per day for small cars and 20 yuan per day for large cars.
- Train: You can take a train to Tangwang River Station (the railway station is about 3 kilometers from the county seat), take a taxi from Tangwang River Station to the scenic area for about 15 yuan, with a journey of 10 minutes; or take a train from Yichun Station to Tangwang River Station, 3 trains per day, with a journey of about 2.5 hours and a fare of 15 yuan per person.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Yixiantian: The core landscape of the scenic area, a natural stone gap with a distance of 0.6 meters between two pillars and a height of over 20 meters, is a typical representative of granite differential weathering, and you need to walk through it personally to experience its steepness.
- Korean Pine Mother Forest: A 500-hectare primeval Korean pine forest with trees over 200 years old. Walking in the forest, you can feel the original ecology of Xiaoxing'anling, which is an excellent area for forest bathing and oxygen inhalation.
- Fengdongshi: A 100-ton boulder balanced with a very small contact area, which can move when the wind blows, showing geological wonders, and is one of the most interesting attractions in the scenic area.
Travel Suggestions
- The best travel seasons: Summer (June - August) with cool climate, dense forests, suitable for summer vacation and viewing the combined landscape of stone forests and green plants; autumn (September - October) with the most beautiful scenery, the mountains are covered with colorful leaves, and the stone forests are set off by red leaves, with gorgeous scenery; winter (December - February) you can enjoy the ice and snow-covered stone forests and experience the northern style, but you need to pay attention to cold protection.
- There are many mountain plank roads in the scenic area, and some sections are steep, so it is recommended to wear non-slip sports shoes; in summer, you need to bring mosquito repellent, sun hats and thin coats (the temperature difference between morning and evening is about 10℃); in winter, you need to wear down jackets, snow boots, gloves and other cold-proof equipment, the plank roads may be icy, so it is recommended to bring ice claws (available for rent at the scenic area entrance, 10 yuan per pair).
- Catering suggestions: The restaurants in the scenic area are moderately priced, and you can taste wild vegetables and forest area specialty dishes; if you want to save costs, you can bring your own dry food to eat in the designated rest areas, but you need to pay attention to keeping the environment clean.
- Photography suggestions: The light is soft in the early morning and evening, suitable for taking silhouettes of stone forests; in the Korean Pine Mother Forest, you can take photos of the Tyndall effect of sunlight through the tree canopy, and the best time is before 10:00 am or after 3:00 pm.
- Recommended travel duration: The whole tour takes about 5-6 hours. If you are in good physical condition, you can appropriately extend the walking time in the Korean Pine Mother Forest to experience the forest ecology in depth.
Precautions
- The granite stone forests in the scenic area are steep, and some sections have no guardrails. When visiting, you must walk along the designated plank roads, do not climb rocks or deviate from the route to avoid danger.
- Smoking and using open flames are prohibited in the primeval forest area. Picking plants and catching wild animals are strictly prohibited. Observe the "leave no trace" principle and protect the ecological environment.
- Sudden showers may occur in the mountainous areas in summer, so it is recommended to bring a folding umbrella or a disposable raincoat; in winter, the snow is deep, so you must follow the guide or walk along the signs when hiking to avoid getting lost.
- The mobile phone signal in the scenic area is weak, and there is no signal in some areas. It is recommended to travel with companions, and agree on the meeting time and place in advance; paper maps can be obtained at the scenic area entrance, and it is recommended to carry them with you.
- Wild fungi must be tasted in regular restaurants. Do not pick wild mushrooms by yourself to prevent accidental ingestion of toxic species; although wild vegetables are healthy, some people with sensitive constitutions may be allergic, so it is recommended to eat a small amount first.