Laodingshan National Forest Park in Laoding
Laodingshan National Forest Park is located in the east of Changzhi City, 2 kilometers away from the urban area, with a total area of 2,200 hectares. In the garden, there are green pines and cypresses, fragrant peaches and plums, hazy ancient caves, and winding paths. Historical legacy is the "Hundred Valley Cold Spring", one of the eight scenic spots in Lu County, which is well-known in Shangdang. There is a beautiful legend that Emperor Yan Shennong tasted hundreds of valleys, made grass and taught farming here. Today, Laoding Mountain still retains more than a dozen ruins such as the Shennong Temple, which was founded in the Eastern Jin Dynasty and other different eras, reflecting the activities of Emperor Yan.
The Shennong Peak Tourist Area is located at the main entrance of the park. There is a group of statues centered on the tallest bronze statue of Emperor Yan in Asia. There are Emperor Yan sitting leisurely on the sacred bull, Nuwa patching the sky, Jingwei filling the sea, Mythological statues such as Chang'e flying to the moon bring tourists into a wonderful mythical world. Climb up the winding paths in the forest from the foot of the mountain, and when you step into the tribal cave, you can see scenes of human ancestors gathering to discuss matters and work in farming and weaving. Stepping onto Shennong Pavilion, you can remember the achievements of your ancestors and reminisce about human history, while also looking into the distance and enjoying the rows of high-rise buildings in modern cities and the vast countryside. Climbing to the TV broadcast station on the main peak of Laoding Mountain, you can see as far as the eye can see, green mountains and peaks. In recent years, Laodingshan Forest Park has put forward the main line of development and construction with the Chinese ancestor Yan Emperor Shennong as the soul of the park. In the development and construction, the historical legends of Yan Emperor in Shangdang and Yan Emperor's achievements in Baigu Mountain were highlighted. Comprehensive development and construction. It has successively invested in the restoration of the Xinding Digu Temple, the reconstruction of the Jiulong Palace Scenic Area, and the construction of new park entrance gates, entertainment slides, Shennong Ancestor Baicao Hall and other entertainment service facilities and tourist attractions. Laodingshan Forest Park has become a green barrier and Feng Shui treasure land in Changzhi City.
Laodingshan National Forest Park is located in the northeast of Changzhi City, 3 kilometers away from the city, adjacent to Huguan and Pingshun counties in the east, and Lucheng City in the north, covering an area of more than 40 square kilometers. . The mountain is mostly composed of Lower Paleozoic Cambrian and Ordovician limestone, with the highest altitude being 1,378 meters. The park consists of more than 40 peaks with five tops, 9 ridges, 18 valleys, and more than 30 natural caves. The forest area is 30,000 acres, and the forest coverage rate reaches 74%. The natural landscape is ethereal and beautiful, mainly including more than 10 places such as the lion lying on its post, the sky-gazing stone, the chrysanthemums on the stone clusters, the sea of rocks, the five fingers holding up the sky, and the dangerous cliffs towering into the sky. The cultural landscape is extensive and rich, mainly including Jiulong Palace, Zushi Temple, cliff carvings, ancient mountain climbing roads, ancient fish ponds, Nanya Palace, Chaoyang Cave, Ancient Cold Spring, Shennong Well, Baigu Cave, Leisi Cave, etc. The rich cultural landscape of Laoding Mountain is because the Chinese ancestor Yan Emperor Shennong achieved a major turning point in human history here from fishing and hunting to farming, from nomadic to settled, and created the ancient civilization of the Chinese nation. This is also the reason why Laoding Mountain The main line and focus of mountain development and construction.
Laodingshan National Forest Park was established in 1992 with the approval of the Ministry of Forestry. In March 1994, the Shanxi Provincial Forestry Survey and Design Institute completed the "Laodingshan National Forest Park Master Plan". According to the plan, the park can be divided into four scenic spots with different functions and distinctive features. The first is the animal breeding and viewing area, which mainly breeds and breeds endangered wild animals, economic animals and ornamental animals for protection, viewing and picnic consumption. The second is the forestry research and investigation area. Located in the southeastern part of the park, the area has a complete range of site conditions and varied forest landscapes, which can be used for visitors' viewing, scientific research and teaching activities. The third is Laoding Scenic Area, located in the middle of Laoding Mountain, where natural landscapes are concentrated for tourists to enjoy the natural scenery. The fourth is the Shennong Peak Scenic Area, which is the core and soul of the park. It mainly displays the great achievements of Emperor Yan, allowing people to remember the achievements of their ancestors and reminisce about human history. After the entire project is completed, 10 natural landscapes and 44 scenic spots will be open to tourists.
Laoding Mountain covers an area of more than 40 square kilometers and is composed of five peaks from north to south, so it is also called Wuding Mountain. These five peaks are called Laoding, Nanding, Yuhuangding, Nainaiding and Xinding. Laoding Mountain is a majestic mountain with many mountains, vast forests, and magnificent scenery. There are places of interest and historic sites all over the mountain. It has always been a scenic spot in Shangdang. Laoding is the highest of the five peaks, with an altitude of 1,378 meters. It is one of the main peaks in the southwest of Taihang Mountains. The temple of Emperor Xuantian was originally built on the top of the old roof. Now it is Changzhi City Television Broadcasting Station. Climbing to the top of Laoding, you can see the scattered high-rise buildings, well-organized roads, and panoramic views of the urban area; from a distance, you can see the Zhangze Reservoir as strong as a ribbon, floating in the sky, and the Shangdang Basin can be seen at a glance. On the northeast peak of Laoding, there is a peak formed by natural boulders. It stands high on the mountain ranges and looks like a crouching lion. It is called the Lion Peak. "Changzhi County Records" once recorded that someone in the Qing Dynasty once praised this peak: "The fierce lion and elephant from the north suppress this gang with ferocity. The lying cloud peaks overlap one another, and the roaring streams gurgling."
When you climb to the top at dawn when the sky is dark, you will feel like watching the sun on Mount Tai. Walking along the southeast, there is a wide slope amid the jungle. The large rocks on the slope seem to be arranged artificially. From a distance, they look like waves rising from the sea. This is the "Dead Sea Wave" landscape. On the undulating Jiulong Ridge, walking among the winding ancient roads, there is a huge rock on the back of the ridge facing west. The rock surface is flat and smooth. When the sun is high in the sky, the rock surface is green and glowing, shining. Uncertain, like a mirror. People call it "Jiantian Stone". To the south of Laoding, there is a peak standing with a flat top and lush vegetation. This is Nanding, also known as the dressing table. There was originally a two-story brick building on the mountain, but now it has collapsed and nothing remains. Only the stone ramming remains, and the bricks and tiles of the Ming and Qing Dynasties are scattered on the ramming. There are five huge rocks on a peak south of Nanding. The five rocks are like five jade pillars, reaching straight up to the sky. They are commonly known as the "Five Tops of Heaven". It is majestic and breathtaking. Yuhuangding and Nainaiding are located on the Yudian side of Digusi Village. The mountains are gentle and continuous, densely covered with pines and cypresses, and the two tops are connected with each other. Jade Emperor Peak is located on Nainai Peak. It is composed of a natural boulder, 17 meters long and 19 meters wide. It houses the Jade Emperor Temple, commonly known as the Nine Gates and Nine Temples. It has a unique architectural style and is still well preserved. Grandma's head is placed on a flat spot halfway up the Jade Emperor's Peak. There was originally a "Bixia Yuanjun Palace" built there, facing north and south. It is now a torch tower. The two top strokes echo each other, creating lush greenery and deep scenery. The new roof is low and flat, surrounded by arborvitae trees, neat and green, and the environment is elegant. Standing on the Xinding Observation Tower, you can see from afar that the old roof is majestic, the emperor's roof is majestic, and the grandma roof is beautiful. When the clouds and fog rise, the sea of clouds and heavy fog surround the mountainside, which is very interesting. Laoding Mountain not only has beautiful mountains and lush forests, but also has many natural caves with different scenery. There are more than 30 caves, large and small, mostly located in the steep cliffs and deep valleys in the middle of the mountain. Some are small and exquisite, some are spacious and deep, some are several caves side by side, or the caves are connected. Most of them are related to Yan Emperor Shennong, Taoism, Xianshi, Related to literati. Halfway up the southeast side of Xinding, there is the largest natural cave in Laoding Mountain, called "Nanya Palace". The entrance of the cave is an antique gate, and above it is a colorful enameled pavilion. The cave is wide. The stream is tens of meters high and covers an area of about 500 square meters. The seed milk droops on the roof of the cave and the walls of the cave are uneven. The belly of the cave is naturally divided into two holes: the inner and outer holes. The outer cave is dedicated to the statue of the ancestor god, and opposite is the statue of Avalokitesvara. The inner cave is slightly taller and wider than the outer cave, with numerous animal statues carved on the four walls. Another door opens on the stone wall on the right side of the cave, leading into a cave of about 20 square meters and 2.5 meters high. In the center of the cave is a statue of Tathagata Buddha, with uneven reliefs of Eighteen Arhats on both sides. The craftsmanship is exquisite and both the spirit and form are ready to be seen. Due west of the new summit, there are several caves near the new summit, called Chaoyang Cave.
Go along the trail in a zigzag way. There is a painted outline on the outside, and there are 3 caves on the cliff on the inside, with a depth of 7.5 meters in between and 3 meters in depth on both sides. The three caves rely on stone cliffs and caves. All have been painted, and the cave body is gorgeous, respectively enshrining the statues of the three great warriors. It echoes the Nanya Palace on the lower east side. Halfway up the mountain due east of Digu Temple, there is Shennong Cave, which is said to be the place where Shennong tasted hundreds of grains. The entrance of the cave faces west and is carved out of a natural bluestone. The entrance of the cave is 1.7 meters high and about 1 meter wide. The cave is 5.7 meters wide, 6 meters deep and about 3 meters high. On the left side of the cave entrance is a rectangular stone wall, which looks like a natural stone plaque. The outside of the cave is flat, with green grass and green trees, surrounded by pines and cypresses. Without someone to guide you, it is difficult to find yourself in the cave. A feeling of admiration for your ancestors arises spontaneously. Halfway up the mountainside of Yuhuangding, there is a natural cave with mountains on two sides and a valley on the back. The cave is 6 meters wide and 1 meters deep. There is a small hole inside. The cave wall is beautiful and flooded. There are five stone carvings in the cave, which are preserved. It is clear, especially the inscriptions "Shu Gu Xingzhi", "Shu Gu Wanderers", "Song Zhi Ping Zhong", etc. inscribed by the Secretary of the Song Dynasty supervising the military affairs and stating the ancient travel history. The fonts are smooth and the carvings are vigorous, just like stone patterns. In addition to these numerous caves, Laoding Mountain also has a "wonderful cold spring". Under the office building of Laodingshan Township Government in Digusi Village, there is a sweet clear spring. On the forehead of the cave entrance is inlaid with the regular script "Guhanquan" left in the Qing Dynasty. The ancient cold spring is Baigu Spring, also known as Shennong Spring. "Lu'an Prefecture Chronicles" says: "The Baigu Spring is in front of the Shennong Temple in Baigu Mountain. The spring springs from gravel. The monks of the temple cited it as a superior stream and poured it into a pond. It flew down from the chrysalis mouth to the big pad and poured into the Shizi River. It has a sweet taste." There is a relief dragon head in Song Dynasty style at the entrance of the cave, and a crouching dragon is carved at the mouth of the spring. The dragon's mouth is open, and below it is a small round stone well, with a clever layout. Zhongqianhan Spring was listed as one of the eight scenic spots in ancient Lu County, and many legends have been passed down to this day.
What is more representative of the money is: when the Baigu Temple was first built, the grain dripped from the stone dragon's mouth continuously, unhurriedly, and in an endless stream. It was just enough for all the craftsmen and monks to use. When it was completed, it was picked up by the dragon's mouth. The little monk in Gu felt the monotony gradually, so he poked the dragon's mouth a few times with camphor, and suddenly ten pairs of white pigeons flew out of the dragon's mouth. From then on, the dragon's mouth no longer dripped grain, and only a thin stream of spring water came out. The white pigeon landed in Huguan and turned a mountain peak into a white mountain.