Limushan National Forest Park
3 min readIt is known to us the climate in Hainan is of the tropical monsoon and tropical ocean type.It is hot and warm all the year round with plenty ofrainfalls.Hainan has abundant sunshine，warmth and water.More than thirty thousand species of living organisms have been detected in the province，accounting for 10 percent of China’s total.Thanks to its unique geologicallocation and special climate conditions，Hainan is green all year round，withmore than 50%of the land covered by forest，so Hainan Island is called”The Island of Forest”.
We are now arriving at the central part of Hainan Province-Qiongzhong County. There are 8 national forest parks and 3 provincial forest parks in Hainan. Today, we are going to visit Limushan National Forest Park. Bordering Danzhou City and Baisha County, it is 165 kilometers away from Haikou, the capital city of Hainan Province. The Forest Park covers an area of 193,000 hectares with the highest mountain at 1,411.7 meters. The mountain range lies in the center of the Forest Park with three major peaks: the highest peak Mt. Limushan, and the other Sanxinglin Ridge and Mt. Yingge’ ao. The height of the other peaks ranges from 600 meters to 1,000 meters. In the Forest Park grow more than 2,000 kinds of plants;I will introduce some distinctive ones to you later.
Limushan means a lot to Hainanese. It’s the place where Nandu River, Wanquan River and Changhua River originate, and has been honored as the holy land of Li minority. One legend goes like this: The celestial sisters came t the human world for a tour, of whom the peach blossom celestial lady was attracted by the beautiful and rich mountain and she thought this was a goodplace for mortal being to live in. Then she changed herself into a python and soon laid one egg. Thunder God streaked the egg open and a young girl jumped out of it, who was called “Limu”and was considered as the ancestor of the Li minority. At the spot of 1,000 meters higher above sea level, there are many large, wide and sonorous waterfalls. Limushan National Forest Park is divided into 5 major scenic spots which have more than 30 charming natural sights: the Limu Rock Scenic Spot, the Beautiful Valley Scenic Spot, the Diaodeng Ridge Scenic Spot, the Natural River Scenic Spot, and the Yingge’ ao Scenic Spot.
The Limu Rock Scenic Spot is located to the southeast of Mt. Limushan where tourists can enjoy and experience religious activities of Li minority. The major sights are Rock Image of Limu and Limu Temple. The Limu Rock,a natural rock, about 20 meters long and 5 meters high, lying in the half way up to the southeastern mountain, looks quite like an old lady because of long-time corrosion, with five maples before it seeming to be five burning joss-sticks. It’ sthe symbolic sight of the Forest Park. The Beautiful Valley Scenic Spot is around the Administrative Offices, where you can go climbing, sightseeing, fishing and taking forest shower or spending holidays for recuperation. The major sights are Ancient Forest, with various species of ancient trees and the Jade Rabbit before the Immortal Old Man. In addition to the two sights there are Areca Lake, Li Cavern, Little Bridge over Flowing Stream, Azaleas Greeting the Brook, etc. The Diaodeng Ridge Scenic Spot is situated along the lower reaches of the Baihe River, where there are 11 sights and tourists can go sightseeing and appreciate the beautiful landscapes of waters, forests and mountains. The major sights are the Diaodeng Ridge and Red Maples. Besides, there are Limu Brook, Cock Rock, Clock Rock, the Roaring Dragon, etc. The Natural River Scenic Spot lies to the northeast of Mt. Limushan with the highest peak of 1,412 meters above sea level, where you can climb for adventure, sightseeing and camping. The major sights are Limu Fairyland, Limu Clouds, Tianhe Waterfall, Limu Cave, Deer Tree, etc. The Yingge’ ao Scenic Spot is located to the west of Mt. Limushan, where you can go sightseeing, climbing and doing researches.
