Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

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Zhang Jia Jie National Forest Park

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (full name: Hunan Zhangjiajie National Forest Park; Chinese: 湖南张家界国家森林公园; pinyin: Húnán Zhāngjiājiè Guójiā Sēnlín Gōngyuán) is a unique national forest park located in Zhangjiajie City in northern Hunan Province in the People's Republic of China.

In 1982 it was recognized as China's first national forest park (4,810 hectares)[1]. Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was designated a much larger (397.5 km²) Wulingyuan National Park by the State Council on August 1, 1988. In 1992, Wulingyuan National Park was officially recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.[2] It was then approved by the Ministry of Land and Resources as Zhangjiajie Sandstone Peak Forest National Geopark (3,600 km²) in 2001. In 2004, Zhangjiajie Geopark was listed as a UNESCO Global Geopark.

Its unique geographical features make it a popular tourist destination for both Chinese citizens and foreigners. Annually the park brings millions of yuan in park revenues. Most of that money comes from Korean tourists, and for this reason many of the park workers learn Korean as a second language. Also, the shop keepers in and near the park accept Korean Won in addition to the Yuan.

The most notable geographic features of the park are the pillar-like formations that are seen throughout the park. They are the result of many years of erosion. The weather is moist year round, and as a result, the foliage is very dense. Much of the erosion which forms these pillars are the result of expanding ice in the winter and the plants which grow on them. These formations are a distinct hallmark of Chinese landscape, and can be found in many ancient Chinese paintings.

Some highlights of the park include

  • The self-proclaimed tallest, fastest elevator in the world
  • An elaborate gondola lift system which transports visitors from the tops of the mountain peaks to the valley below.
  • Several unique ethnic groups: The Tujia, Bai, and Miao, who together comprise a majority of the residents of Zhangjiajie.

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ "Zhangjiajie Scenic Spot". www.travelchinaguide.com. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hunan/zhangjiajie/zhangjiajie.htm. Retrieved 2008-07-30. 
  2. ^ "A Brief Account of Zhangjiajie". www.zhangjiajie.com.cn. http://www.zhangjiajie.com.cn/english/jianjie.asp. Retrieved 2008-07-30. 

[edit] See also

Coordinates: 29°08′N 110°29′E / 29.133°N 110.483°E / 29.133; 110.483

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