Songmingyan National Forest Park in Hezheng County, Linxia

🌲 Overview of Songmingyan Scenic Area (松鸣岩)

Songmingyan Scenic Area (松鸣岩) is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Hezhou (河州八景), known as “Emerald Colors of Mount Sumeru” (须弥翠色). It is located at the northern foot of Taizi Mountain (太子山) in southern Hezheng County, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province (甘肃省临夏回族自治州和政县南部太子山北麓). The scenic area is a National 4A-level Scenic Area and National Forest Park.

The name Songmingyan (松鸣岩) comes from the sound of the mountain winds passing through the pine forests, creating waves of pine sounds that resemble drums echoing among the rocks. With the main peak reaching an elevation of 2,730 meters, the area combines spectacular peaks, virgin spruce forests, mountain streams, waterfalls, and ancient Buddhist and Taoist architecture from the Ming Dynasty.

Songmingyan is also an important birthplace of Hezhou Hua’er (河州花儿), a traditional folk singing style popular in northwest China. The Songmingyan Hua’er Festival (松鸣岩花儿会) has been listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage event, making the area not only a natural destination but also a major center of local folk culture.

The scenic area is divided into several sections, including the Songmingyan Ancient Site Area (松鸣岩古迹主区), Yaoshui Gorge (药水峡), and Balugou Valley (八路沟).

The entrance ticket during peak season is 50 RMB, while the off-season ticket from November to March is 30 RMB. The sightseeing electric shuttle bus costs 10 RMB. Since the entrance is about 3 kilometers from the mountain foot area, taking the shuttle is recommended.

Students and seniors aged 60–69 can enjoy half-price tickets with valid documents. Visitors over 70 years old and children under 1.2 meters can enter free of charge.

During the peak season from April to October, opening hours are 08:30–17:30, with the last admission at 17:00. During the off-season from November to March, opening hours are 09:00–17:00.

🌿 Best Times to Visit Songmingyan

Seasonal Recommendations

June to August is the best summer escape period. The spruce forests become deep green, wildflowers cover the mountains, and temperatures are usually 5–8°C lower than in nearby cities, making it an ideal destination for summer hiking and nature exploration.

During this period, the most important cultural event takes place: the Songmingyan Hua’er Festival (松鸣岩花儿会), held from the 26th to 28th day of the fourth month of the lunar calendar. Local villagers gather in the mountains to sing Hezhou Hua’er folk songs, creating a strong traditional atmosphere.

September to October offers beautiful autumn scenery. The forests become colorful, the weather is clear and refreshing, and fewer visitors make this period especially suitable for landscape photography.

November to April of the following year brings magnificent snowy mountain scenery, but temperatures are very cold and some facilities may operate on a reduced schedule. It is not recommended for ordinary sightseeing visitors.

Best Visiting Time

The best time for photography and sightseeing is usually 09:00–11:00 in the morning, when sunlight through the forests is softer. After rainfall, clouds and mist often appear among the mountains, creating a beautiful atmosphere.

A visit to the main Songmingyan area usually takes around 2.5–3.5 hours. Travelers wishing to explore Yaoshui Gorge as well should reserve a full day.

🚗 How to Get to Songmingyan Scenic Area

By Self-Driving

Navigate to Songmingyan National Forest Park (松鸣岩国家森林公园). The journey from Lanzhou takes approximately 2 hours, and the scenic area is about 25 kilometers south of Hezheng County town.

A free parking area is available at the scenic entrance.

By Public Transportation

Visitors can take a long-distance bus from Lanzhou South Bus Station (兰州汽车南站) to Hezheng County, then take a taxi to the scenic area. There is no direct tourist bus service.

Recommended Travel Combination

Songmingyan can be combined with nearby attractions such as the Hezheng Ancient Animal Fossil Museum (和政古动物化石博物馆) and Fataishan Scenic Area (法台山景区) to create a one-day cultural and nature tourism route in Hezheng County.

⭐ Core Attractions and Highlights

⛰️ Songmingyan Three Peaks (松鸣岩三峰)

The three main peaks of Songmingyan — Nantiantai (南天台), Xifangding (西方顶), and Dugangling (独岗岭) — rise dramatically from the surrounding landscape.

Covered with dense spruce forests, these peaks create the signature scenery of Songmingyan. When mountain winds move through the pine trees, the roaring sound of the forest creates the famous atmosphere described as “layered green pines and singing rocks” (松岩叠翠), which represents the soul of the entire scenic area.

🏯 Songmingyan Temple (松鸣岩寺, Xumi Temple 须弥寺 — Ming Dynasty Ancient Architecture)

Songmingyan Temple was originally built during the Chenghua Period of the Ming Dynasty. The temple combines elements of both Han Chinese Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism, forming a unique religious architectural complex.

The most remarkable feature is the Guanyin Hall (菩萨大殿), which is suspended against the cliff and supported by four huge iron chains, creating a spectacular hanging temple structure.

The temple complex also includes Yuhuang Pavilion (玉皇阁), Shengmu Palace (圣母宫), and Dugang Temple (独岗寺). The halls are built among cliffs and pine forests, offering visitors beautiful views overlooking the valley and Yuanyang Lake (鸳鸯湖).

💦 Songmingyan Waterfall (松鸣岩瀑布)

The waterfall has a drop of approximately 30 meters, with mountain streams cascading down from the cliffs into the valley.

On sunny mornings, visitors may see rainbows appearing in the mist. The canyon remains cool and humid, making it a refreshing place to escape summer heat.

🌲 Spruce Forest Hiking Trails (云杉森林徒步栈道)

The forest trails pass through centuries-old spruce forests, accompanied by flowing streams and fresh mountain air.

With rich vegetation and high levels of negative oxygen ions, the trails are suitable for relaxed hiking. Wild alpine flowers, including rhododendrons, can often be seen along the paths.

🌊 Yuanyang Lake (鸳鸯湖, at the Mountain Foot)

Located at the foot of the mountain, Yuanyang Lake is a beautiful plateau lake surrounded by peaks and forests. The calm water reflects the surrounding mountains, creating excellent photography opportunities.

A large grassland area beside the lake is suitable for picnics and relaxation. Boat rides are available as an optional paid activity.

🏞️ Yaoshui Gorge (药水峡, Sub-Scenic Area)

Yaoshui Gorge features mountain reservoirs, forest valleys, and clear emerald-green water. Compared with the main scenic area, it is quieter and less crowded.

Located about 8 kilometers from the main Songmingyan area, it is suitable for easy hiking and nature lovers seeking a peaceful environment.

🎵 Hua’er Folk Culture Experience (花儿民俗文化)

Every year during the lunar fourth-month Hua’er Festival, visitors can experience traditional Hezhou Hua’er singing performed among the mountains.

As one of the most important folk cultural gatherings in northwest China, the festival showcases local traditions, music, and community life.

🏨 Accommodation and Local Food

Visitors can stay in Hezheng County town, where accommodation facilities are more complete. Local farmhouses around the scenic area are also available, but advance reservations are recommended during the busy season.

Local specialties include Hand-Pulled Lamb (手抓羊肉), Hezhou Steamed Buns (河州包子), Jiangshui Noodles (浆水面), and mountain wild vegetable dishes.

There are only a few shops inside the scenic area, so visitors should bring enough drinking water and snacks before entering the mountains.

⚠️ Travel Tips and Safety Information

Songmingyan is located at an elevation of approximately 2,200–2,730 meters, with large temperature differences between day and night. Even during summer, visitors should bring a light jacket or outdoor windbreaker. Strong ultraviolet radiation is common, so sunscreen and hats are highly recommended.

There are many mountain steps, so comfortable anti-slip hiking shoes are recommended. Visitors may also bring trekking poles for easier climbing.

The ancient temples and suspended iron-chain halls are protected cultural relics. Visitors must not carve, strike, or damage architectural components, should maintain quiet inside the halls, and should avoid using flash photography.

The mountain forest area is under fire protection control. Open fires and outdoor cooking are prohibited. Visitors should take all garbage away and avoid picking wild flowers or plants.

Horse riding and boat rides are optional paid activities. Choose official service providers and confirm prices and durations in advance.

During the Hua’er Festival period, visitor numbers can become extremely high, and temporary traffic controls may occur. Traveling during off-peak times is recommended.

Please note the difference between Songmingyan (松鸣岩) in Hezheng County, a national forest park, and Fataishan (法台山), a nearby popular entertainment scenic area. The two destinations are close to each other, so check navigation carefully to avoid confusion.