Four national forest parks to visit in China in early spring

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This year's March 21 marks the 7th anniversary of the International Day of Forests. This day is meant to raise awareness of the importance of forests in eliminating poverty, maintaining environmental sustainability and ensuring food safety.

Forests make up one-third of the Earth's land. About 1.6 billion people in the world, including more than 2,000 indigenous cultures, rely on forests for livelihoods, medicines, fuel, food and shelter. Forests are the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land, inhabited by more than 80 percent of the animals, plants and insect species.

However, the rate of global deforestation has been staggering, with 13 million hectares of forest destroyed each year. Deforestation accounts for 12 percent to 20 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, leading to climate change.

There are many ways to educate oneself on the significance of forest protection, one of which is paying a visit to a forest. We recommend four forest parks that have recently put on the green coat ahead of many other such parks in China, all protected at the national level, and some listed under UNESCO heritage. Some of these places may need you to bring an umbrella or raincoat, but mostly, the weather is pleasant.

Saihanba National Forest Park

Saihanba is located in Chengde, northern China's Hebei Province, covering an area of 200.29 square kilometers, and has more than 618 species and 312 genera vascular plants.

A view of Saihanba. /VCG Photo

The Qixing Lake in Saihanba. /VCG Photo

The Lake of Sun in Saihanba. /VCG Photo

Weather forecast:

Nights are cold at Saihanba in the following week, with an average temperature of minus three degrees Celsius. But it's pleasant during the daytime, averaging at 12 degrees Celsius. The temperature will rise significantly starting April 3, ranging from 5 to 12 degrees. Weather will be cloudy most days until the end of April.

Transportation:

A shuttle bus that charges 100 yuan per person will take you from Liuliqiao Bus Station in Beijing to the Weichang County where Saihanba is at. From there, it's easy to approach the park. The shuttle bus from Beijing has shifts every hour, from 5:30 to 19:30. Driving distance is about 450 km.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

This park was recognized as China's first national forest park in 1982, with an area of 11,900 acres. In 2004, Zhangjiajie National Forest Park was listed as a UNESCO global geopark.

A general view of Zhangjiajie. /VCG Photo

Mountain road in Zhangjiajie. /VCG Photo

Glass bridge within Zhangjiajie. /VCG Photo

Weather forecast:

Average temperature is from 10 to 16 in late March and throughout April. April 8, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 24 are reported to have slight rain. Other days are either cloudy or drizzling.

Transportation:

The park is what the city is famous for. Therefore, there are many shuttles waiting at the Zhangjiajie Bus Station to take you directly to the park.

Free entry in honor of the International Day of Forests

Chongqing Municipality of China celebrates this day by offering free entrance to tourists in 110 of its forest and wetlands parks for three days, from March 21 to 23, 18 of which require tickets during usual times, the other 92 free all year round. By doing so, the city hopes to encourage more citizens and tourists to learn about this gift from nature.

Fairy Mountain National Forest Park

The park is 180 kilometers from the main city of Chongqing, and 2,033 meters above sea level. It has 330,000 acres of forest and 100,000 acres of natural grassland.

An aerial view of the Mountain of Fairies. /VCG Photo

Road within the park. /VCG Photo

Jinfo Shan National Forest Park

Jinfo Shan is located in the upper reach of the Yangtze River, and is situated in Nanchuan District of southern China's Chongqing Municipality. Its karst features were listed as a tentative World Heritage site in 2001.

A peek into the mountains of Jinfo Shan National Forest Park. /VCG Photo

Narrow road on one of the mountains in Jinfo Shan National Forest Park. /VCG Photo

An aerial view of Jinfo Shan. /VCG Photo

Weather forefast:

Temperature at Chongqing for these three days is on average from 10 to 16 celsius degree. There will be minor rain.

Transportation:

There are numerous trains and buses that take you from Chongqing City Train Station to the station of the Wulong District where Fairy Mountain is at. Bus fair costs about 60 yuan per person.

For Jinfo Shan, several buses from the Nanping, Caiyuanba, and Longtousi Bus Stations can take you to the park, costing about 50 yuan per person.