Taiping National Forest Park

Situated in Taiping Valley of Qinling Mountains, 44 kilometers (about 27 miles) southeast to Xi'an City, Taiping Forest Park is known as 'the Jiuzhaigou in the north China'. With a total area of 2,117 hectares (about 5,231 acres), it invites visitors to refresh themselves in its natural beauty.

Taiping Valley is so named because an emperor of Sui Dynasty (581-618) built the Taiping Palace there. With an average annual temperature ranging between 7 and 10 degrees Celsius, this park is gorgeous with its natural scenery, and served itself as a summer resort during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
 

Plants and Animals

Taiping Forest Park is abundant in natural resources. With nearly one hundred spots, it is mainly divided into five scenic areas: Qinling Ridge Scenic Area, Moon Palace Pond Scenic Area, Yellow Goat Dam Scenic Area, Stone Gate Scenic Area and Birch Woods Bay Scenic Area. Visitors can see the pure forests of larches and red birches, which are either stately or sturdy. In addition, there are wild bauhinias at the range of 900 to 1,500 meters (about 2,950 to 4,920 feet) above the sea level, which cover an area of over 10,000 hectares (about 24,710 acres). The Bauhinia Festival is held in April every year.

Besides, the forest park has more than 30 kinds of animals that under national first and second-class protection, such as the golden monkeys, takins and syrmaticus mikados. Visitors can easily see them among the trees, by the streams and roadsides. It creates a kind of bright scenery for this park.

A stream meanders gently through the valley.
Outdoor activities lovers go to Taiping Valley by bicycle

Waterfalls and Ponds

Xi'an Taiping National Forest ParkTraveling in the park, visitors cannot help admiring the group of waterfalls and ponds. It is unique because this type of landscape is not usually found in the northern part of China. Twelve waterfalls have been found in the park so far. All of them were found within 2.5 kilometers radius.

With the biggest drop height of more than one hundred meters, the most notable waterfalls are the Caihong (Rainbow) Waterfall, the Xianheqiao (the Bridge of Cranes) Waterfall, the Yanxia (Mist and Clouds in the Twilight) Waterfall and the Longkou Waterfall. The cable car is available between the Longkou Waterfall and the Caihong Waterfall. The famous ponds are the Fengxian Pond, the Bell Pond and the Moon Palace Pond.

In addition, there are cliff faces that are engraved with works of many famous Chinese ancient calligraphers, for example, works from Wang Xizhi, Wang Xianzhi and Yanzhenqing. Walking through the park, visitors are more likely entranced with the poetic scenery.

College students march to Taiping Valley.
College students march to Taiping Valley.
Hiking the Taiping Forest Park
Hiking the Taiping Forest Park

Facilities:

Good quality hotels are available in the park and can be found in the areas of Changfeng Tourist Centre, Taikui Garden, Liushui Camp and the Reception Center of Taiping Forest Park. There are many places to eat, commonly referred to as Pleasure-in-Farmhouses, which offer local delicacies. Many visitors enjoy these facilities.
 

How to get to Taiping National Forest Park from Xi'an

1. Xi'an Huanshan Tourist Line: The Huanshan tourist line 1 can be taken from 08:30 to 11:30 at the North Square of Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It returns from 13:30 to 17:30. It costs CNY 8 for bus with air-conditioner.

2. The no. 921 bus from Xi'an Coach Station located on Fengqing Road is avaiable from 5:30 to 18:00.

3. The special tourist buses at Xi'an South and West Bus Stations are avaiable from April 1 to October 7.
Take the special tourist bus from Xi'an South Bus Station. It leaves at 08:00-09:00 and returns at 16:00-17:00.
Take the special tourist bus from Xi'an West Bus Station. It departs at 07:30-08:30 and returns at 16:00.
Take the special tourist bus from Xi'an North Bus Station. It departs at 08:30 on Saturday and Sunday. The bus fare is CNY 35 for a single trip and CNY 60 for a round trip.
  For transportation to the above bus stations, you can refer to Xi'an Long Distance Bus.
 

How to get there from Xianyang

Take the special tourist bus from Xianyang South Bus Station. The bus departs at 08:00-09:00 and returns at 16:00-17:00.
 The bus is available from April 26 to October 7.
 

Admission Fee:

March 1 to November 30: CNY 60
December 1 to the end of next February:  CNY 40

* CNY 30 for children between 3.9 and 4.6 feet (1.2-1.4 meters).
* Free for children under 3.9 feet.

Cable Car: CNY 80 (round trip);
CNY 50 (single trip)
Opening Hours: March - November: 07:00 - 18:00
December - February: 08:00-17:00

Further Reading:
Zhuque National Forest Park
Zhongnan Mountains

- Last updated on Aug. 15, 2024 by Catherine He -
Questions & Answers on Taiping National Forest Park
Asked by Sara from USA | Mar. 20, 2017 12:44Reply
I will visiting Xi'an from the USA in April and was thinking about going to Taiping Forest Park.
1) I've heard there are golden monkeys there-has anyone been there and seen them? It's hard to find info online.
2) Does the Huanshan Mountain Tourist Line 1 still run here daily leaving 8:30-11 am? Thank you!
Answers (1)
Answered by Evan from UK | Mar. 23, 2017 04:06
00Reply


They are the macaque monkeys who are free fed in this park. If you travel in this park, you may happen to meet them along the way.
According to the official website, the Huanshan Mountain Tourist Line 1 only works on weekends and important holidays.
Asked by Janne from FINLAND | Mar. 01, 2014 11:31Reply
The trails in Taiping Forest Park in Xi'an
Hello from Finland.Plan to visit the park and would like to know if there are many trails.And how long are the trails(assuming not too long since half day is recommended earlier but then again in the facilities-section it says that there are many hotels there)?Is there a map of the trails?Likely to be going by myself and don´t understand Chinese so also interested to know if the trails are well marked and are there English signs?
Will be going early April.Will there be snow?
Answers (2)
Answered by Jennifer from USA | Mar. 02, 2014 00:06
02Reply


As I know, there is only one trail inside the park, but I have no idea about how long it is. I only remember, it takes about some time. If using the cable car, the journey to the park can be finished in half a day.
The map, you may try to ask about the staff in the ticket office when you buy the ticket at the entrance. You can tell they "请给我一张公园的地图".
It is not early to go there in April. Acutally, it is a good time, since everything is turning green. April is the Spring time, so there is no snow.
Most local people want to traveling outside in April.
Answered by Janne from FINLAND | Mar. 07, 2014 03:31
00Reply


Thank you for the reply.
Asked by Angela from AUSTRALIA | Jun. 29, 2013 05:52Reply
In 2012 we tried to go to Xi'an Taiping Forest Park but were told we weren't allowed. Is it open now for tourists?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lisa from USA | Jun. 30, 2013 01:15
11Reply


Yes, it is open now.
Asked by Daniel from CHINA | Apr. 01, 2013 03:09Reply
QingMingJie to Taiping Forest Park
Will the bus operate on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week when China is celebrating QingMingJie?
Answers (1)
Answered by Alice from CHINA | Apr. 04, 2013 21:17
21Reply


Yes, it operates as usual. Hope this answer is still helpful for you.
Asked by Suz | Mar. 24, 2013 21:24Reply
How long does it take to get Taiping Forest Park
what is the recommended time to spend there? We will be going during the week
Answers (1)
Answered by Alice from LIBYA | Mar. 24, 2013 22:59
00Reply


Where you are departing? Anyway, generally, it takes 1.5-2h to reach there.
I suggest you depart in the morning and spend half a day there. Then get back in the afternoon. Well, it can be best to avoid the weekend.
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