“Natural Air-Conditioned City” Hidden Deep in the Loess Plateau — Yan’an Huanglong County
Discover the hidden treasure in northern Shaanxi! A guide to Huanglong’s 4 major scenic spots, with a refreshing 22°C and forest healing that’s absolutely amazing🌿
Who would have thought, family! Deep in the Loess Plateau lies this “natural air-conditioned city” — Yan’an Huanglong County, with an average summer temperature of 22°C, over 90% forest coverage, and an abundance of negative oxygen ions! The four core scenic areas—Huanglongshan National Forest Park, Tree Top Walk, Mukezhai Trail, and Wuliang Mountain—each offers an escape from the hustle and bustle, immersing you in the dual romance of nature and culture. This tried-and-true popular guide is ready for you to bookmark and set off! 🚗
1. Huanglongshan National Forest Park | The ultimate forest breathing experience🌲
As the core of this AAAA-level scenic area, it’s truly a “natural oxygen bar”! Covering 13 square kilometers of forest sea, a 6.2 km trail connects 8 types of unique surfaces, alternating between pebble paths, wooden boardwalks, and suspension bridges. Underfoot, fallen leaves rustle; around you, birds chirp; every deep breath is filled with the fresh scent of greenery🍃 Rest pavilions and wooden benches are set along the way—stop to rest whenever you’re tired, and every snapshot is a forest masterpiece that needs no filter.
✅ Practical Tips:
- Free admission! Just navigate to “Huanglongshan National Forest Park.” Allow 3-4 hours for hiking.
- Wear light-colored clothes to match the green forest sea, and don’t forget non-slip sports shoes.
- No open flames allowed in the forest; bring your own drinking water and snacks for energy.
2. Tree Top Walk Scenic Area | Speed and thrill above the clouds✨
The Northwest’s first forest high-altitude experience spot is amazing! Originating from Europe, the treetop walkway features a 40-meter-high science tower known as the “Forest Eye.” A 1,250-meter barrier-free boardwalk winds through the treetops, with a transparent glass viewing platform beneath your feet, offering a bird’s-eye view of vast pine forests🌳 The must-try attraction is the 1,311-meter jungle slide, racing through the woods at 40 km/h—once you try it, you’ll be hooked! There’s also a go-kart track and forest climbing challenges, making it a perfect parent-child educational adventure.
✅ Practical Tips:
- Tickets cost 80 RMB (including guided explanation), children under 1.2 meters are half price, some activities charge separately.
- Recommended accommodation is the wooden cabin hotel inside the park, where you can stargaze through the glass roof at night🌌; for budget options, stay in the Wazi Street guesthouse cluster.
- The facilities are fully accessible, suitable for elderly and children. Follow the “Leave No Trace” principle and carry out your trash.
3. Mukezhai Trail | Poetic hiking through ancient secrets🍂
A historical secret hidden deep in the forest park, this trail connects Wuliang Mountain and Mukezhai. Along the way, you’ll encounter sculptures of Mu Guiying, cultural stone drums, and ancient Ming and Qing dynasty village ruins, as if traveling through a thousand years of history📜 Autumn and winter visits are especially beautiful, with red lantern-like fruits on the Chinese soapberry trees, southern snake vines winding around branches, and the occasional squirrel carrying pine cones. From the summit, you can overlook the entire Huanglong County, with swaying reeds and poetic scenes straight out of classical Chinese poetry.
✅ Practical Tips:
- The trail is free to access; it’s recommended to start from Wuliang Mountain. One-way hike takes about 2 hours.
- Mobile signal is weak along the way, so download offline maps in advance and wear long sleeves to prevent insect bites.
- Autumn (September to November) is the best season for red leaves and you might also catch a local mountain produce market.
4. Wuliang Mountain Scenic Area | A mountaintop sanctuary filled with Zen sounds🙏
The “spiritual landmark” of Huanglong! The Lianyun Temple at the summit was built during the Eastern Han Dynasty and has witnessed a thousand years of history. The Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Mahavira Hall are solemn and majestic, with morning bells and evening drums echoing through the mountains, instantly calming the restless heart. Inside the temple is the stunning “Five Pines Embracing a Cypress” phenomenon, where five ancient pines surround a cypress tree, flourishing with vitality🌿 The cultural stone carving corridor features inscriptions from scholars and poets of various dynasties. Walking here, you can feel the unique charm of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism blending together.
✅ Practical Tips:
- Free admission; best to visit early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds, beautiful scenery, and ideal lighting for photos.
- You can walk from the county town or drive to the parking lot at the mountain base, then hike 15 minutes to the summit.
- Keep quiet inside the temple and respect religious customs. It’s windy at the top, so bring a light jacket.
🌟 Ultimate Travel Tips for Huanglong
- Transportation: 2.5 hours by car from Xi’an, 2 hours from Yan’an. Attractions are spread out in the county, so self-driving or chartering a car is recommended.
- Food: Must-try dishes include fish hotpot from the fishing town, iron pot stewed chicken on Wazi Street, as well as wild vegetable dumplings and buckwheat noodles—typical northern Shaanxi specialties.
- Best seasons: Summer for cooling off, autumn for red leaves, winter for snow—each season offers different beautiful scenery.
- Nightlife bonus: Every Friday and Saturday night, the county hosts bonfire parties, water curtain light shows, and folk ballads, filling the air with lively atmosphere🔥
Days in Huanglong have no alarms, no KPIs—only mountain breeze, birdsong, starry skies, and a long-lost sense of relaxation~ This treasure town, combining forest healing, historical depth, and fun experiences, truly deserves a spot on your travel list!💖