Dongchuan Forest Park in Kunming
Overview
Dongchuan Forest Park (东川森林公园) is located in the northeastern suburbs of Tongdu Town (铜都镇), Dongchuan District (东川区), Kunming City (昆明市). Construction began in 1986 on what was originally a deep gully formed by mudslides, known locally as “Shengou” (深沟). The forest park was developed based on the management of mudslides, transforming the area into a beautiful green space.
The park features towering mountains and steep slopes, with winding paths leading into tranquil areas. The gully is adorned with numerous waterfalls of varying sizes. The nearby Phoenix trees (凤凰树) and Silver birch trees (银桦树) sway gracefully, while the area is filled with evergreen Acacia trees (银合欢). In recent years, many cherry blossom trees (樱花), Crape myrtle trees (紫薇花), and Jacaranda trees (蓝花楹树) have also been planted. Along the mountainside, lush Poplar trees (杨树), Tibetan cypress (藏柏), and tall tropical plants like the Paulownia (桐剑麻) flourish.
Local residents believe that the park has a strong magnetic field beneficial to health, and every day, thousands of people jog along the gully carrying mineral water, making it a local spectacle. Notable attractions include:
- Zhuguo Temple (祝国寺)
- Baiying Waterfall (白滢瀑布)
- Bailong Cave (白龙洞)
Scenic Features
Dongchuan Forest Park (东川森林公园) is situated in the northeastern suburbs of Xincun Town (新村镇), Dongchuan District (东川区), with construction beginning in 1986. It was established as a forest park on the foundation of mudslide management demonstration projects. The gully is flanked by mountains, where lush Poplar trees (杨树) and distinct tropical plants thrive, providing a pleasant walking experience along the shaded paths. The swaying Phoenix trees (凤凰树) and Cloud birch trees (云桦树) grace the area, while the gully is home to an abundance of evergreen Acacia trees (银合欢).
Local people believe that the park’s strong magnetic field promotes health, and it has become common to see thousands of individuals jogging in the deep gully each morning, carrying mineral water, adding to the park’s charm.
Baiying Waterfall
Baiying Waterfall (白滢瀑布) is located at the end of the park. Standing over a hundred meters high, the waterfall appears like a flowing white silk from a distance. When viewed up close, the mist rises, creating a mesmerizing sight of silver droplets, giving a sense of heavenly elixir cascading down, refreshing the spirit.
Bailong Cave
To reach Bailong Cave (白龙洞), one must climb for about 20 minutes. Inside the cave, natural spring water flows down, forming a waterfall nearly a hundred meters high. The splashes at the base create a scene of silver flowers amidst lush greenery, with clear water revealing the bottom of the pool, presenting a naturally beautiful landscape.
Important Notes
Dongchuan Forest Park (东川森林公园) can be visited year-round. Dongchuan is classified as a dry hot river valley region, and summers can be quite hot, so visitors should be prepared to stay cool.
Recommended Time
2-3 days
Transportation
Take a bus from the Dongchuan District (东川区) passenger station to Fazhe, passing through Huagou Village (花沟村) and Huashitou Village (花石头村), among other areas.
Admission
The entrance fee is 1 RMB.
Location
Dongchuan District (东川区), Kunming City (昆明市), along the 029 Provincial Road (029乡道).
