Darong Mountain Forest Park: "EuropeanLandscape" in the Lingnan Region

Written by Tang Yi / Translated by Zhou Qt

“The mountain soars high and stretches far， while the ancient forest is deep with venerable trees.” Located approximately 46 kilometers northeast of the urban area of Yulin City， Guangxi， stands the majestic Darong Mountain， the highest peak in the southeast of Guangxi. The vast Darong Mountain extends its benevolence to all surrounding creatures. Within Darong Mountain National Forest Park， high mountains， meadows， lakes， waterfalls， and dense forests continue to thrive， creating a breathtaking scene of a “European landscape in China.”

Endowed with a majestic posture

Darong Mountain's terrain runs northeast to southwest， stretching across the vast plains of southeast Guangxi. Driving along the winding mountain road， the scenery changes like it were in a movie， unfolding before your eyes. It starts with tranquil villages， then golden rice fields， and finally， shepherds cattle herds. The cool breeze， fresh air， and the faint scent of grass all come together， embracing you as you journey through this picturesque landscape.

Thanks to the unique geographical conditions and wind resources of the Darong Mountain region， 17 large-scale wind turbines stand at the summit， forming a magnificent "Wind Turbine Array." Driving along the beautiful scenery， one ascends the road， and in the distance， amidst the clouds and mist， a row of massive wind turbines stand in perfect alignment. They are scattered throughout the mountains， creating a vivid tapestry that seamlessly blends industry with nature. The feeling of vastness， eternity， and grandeur overwhelm， evoking a sense of profound serenity and awe.

Darong Mountain's lofty heights and dense forests have long been inhabited by bandits， making it such a forbidding place that even the renowned explorer Xu Xiake dared not venture beyond the mountain gate. Today， the once-menacing atmosphere has transformed into poetic and picturesque scenery amid the lush mountains and lucid waters. It weaves together a vibrant tapestry of blooming flowers in spring， verdant forests in summer， abundant wild fruits in golden autumn， and crystalline beauty on the winter solstice. As the altitude changes during the ascent， a variety of landscapes unfold before your eyes — serene lakes， natural broad-leaved forests， majestic waterfalls， picturesque fir forests， and vast alpine farms. The enchanting beauty of the distant mountains stretches out， revealing itself in every direction.

The main peak of Darong Mountain， Lianhua Peak， soars to an elevation of 1，275.6 meters， piercing the sky. Due to its magnificent presence and stunning landscapes， it has been revered as the "Southern Pillar of Heaven" since ancient times. Standing at the peak， one can see boundless green mountains and forests， as if having the entire lushness all to oneself. It truly feels like being on the summit above thousands of cliffs and myriads as described in a Chinese poem.

At the summit of Darong Mountain， clouds and mist often swirl around， gently enveloping the surroundings. With the caress of a light breeze， the mist brushes against your body， delicately touching your cheeks and nose， creating a soft and tingling sensation. Breathing in this ethereal atmosphere makes one feel extraordinary， as if you have stepped into a realm of wonder and enchantment. In the poem "Gazing upon Darong Mountain at Dawn （Xiao Wang Darong Shan）"， the poet Wang Weixin， from the late Qing Dynasty， stood with a leisurely and contemplative state of mind， gazing at Darong Mountain. His spirit soared and had already flown into the depths of the lush and vast mountains.

Embracing the exquisite beauty

The water of Darong Mountain， while adorning the landscape， has also mastered the enchanting "artistry，" seamlessly blending in with every corner of the mountain in various postures that captivate your heart.

Nestled amidst the peaks of Darong Mountain， the Lotus Waterfall in the Grand Lotus Pond is surrounded by a magnificent mountain landscape. The massive drop in the mountain terrain sparks a creative inspiration within the flowing water， resulting in a breathtaking display of nature's artistic prowess. Descending along the stone step paved with green stones and adorned with a hint of moss， one can explore further. Above the waterfall， there is an overhanging pavilion that provides a view from above， while below the waterfall， there is an upward-facing pavilion. Looking down at the waterfall from the slightly overhanging pavilion's railing， the cascade lies just below your feet， yet there is no sound of water. It appears like a bottle of precious nectar， shattering against the cliffs， resembling the disheveled tresses of a newly awakened maiden. Indeed， as the saying goes， "A natural Lotus Waterfall， boundless scenery amidst perilous peaks." Upon reaching the bottom of the waterfall and looking up from the upward-facing pavilion， one can witness the waterfall cascading through the air， tumbling into white mist， hanging like a silvery bead curtain. It seems as if millions of silver pearls are descending from the heavens， akin to the poem written by Li Bai， "A flying stream plunging three thousand feet， as if the Milky Way falls from the Ninth Heaven." Where the water hits， sprays and sounds abound， resembling a blooming giant lotus flower. Truly magnificent！

Admire a valley waterfall， behold a magnificent panorama， climb a lofty mountain， and seek out a serene spot. The water of Darong Mountain can be both dynamic and tranquil. In the Nine Waterfalls Valley， the stream forms a series of water pools， and the valley is characterized by its tranquil waters and beautiful rocky forests. Waterfalls， pools， and rapids run throughout the entire valley， and the air is enriched with negative oxygen ions， reaching up to 89，000 ions/cm?. In the forest of a hundred birds， their songs resonate， and the clear spring flows over the rocks. The gentle sound of flowing water in the mountain valley is almost uninterrupted， creating a pleasant and melodic symphony that delights the ears. As the water flows through the valley， it nourishes the surrounding forest vegetation， creating a landscape akin to an ink-splashed scroll， expressing the subtle shades of the wilderness in varying depths and intensities.

The Nine Waterfalls Valley is verdant， with the mountain breeze brushing against your face， bringing a refreshing natural ambiance. Sunlight filters through the sparse branches and leaves along the riverbank， casting reflections on the waterway. The large stones covering the clear pools become adorned with a kaleidoscope of colors， illuminated by the playful sunlight. Amidst the mountains， you can find the growth of golden flower tea， wild bamboo groves， mountain lychees， wild strawberries， and more， each delivering "nature's delightful surprises" throughout different seasons.

The grand mountain spectacle， combined with the refreshing and natural water landscapes， creates a rich and profound foundation for the majestic， primordial， secluded， and colorful beauty of the scenery in Darong Mountain.

Enveloped in the leisurely joy

Darong Mountain's exquisite mountain and water landscapes create a spectacular painting， while also embodying a leisurely and relaxing demeanor， delivering delightful pleasure. In the downstream of the Nine Waterfalls Valley， with a total drop of approximately 300 meters and the highest single-level drop of 8 meters， the river offers people an exciting and thrilling rafting experience， akin to a roller coaster ride， yet also like a leisurely drift in a calm lake. The cool water washes away the lingering heat of late autumn in Guangxi， providing a refreshing sensation. Apart from personally experiencing the refreshing sensation of the pristine water， being surrounded by the untouched beauty of the forest and the myriad of peculiar rocks and unique trees makes one feel like traveling through time and being immersed in a visual spectacle of the untouched wilderness.

As you walk up to the natural alpine meadows at an altitude of around 1，000 meters in Darong Mountain Forest Park， you are greeted with a broad blue sky， lush grasslands， and shimmering lakes. The picturesque Christmas forest and the brick-red European-style church add to the enchantment， making you feel as if you have "fallen" into the world of "The Wizard of Oz" or "Heaven on Earth，" and merged into an Austrian-style European landscape painting. The weather on the mountain changes unpredictably， with spring mists， summer shades， autumn frost， and winter freshness. Each season holds its own captivating "key" that entices people to immerse themselves in its beauty.

The mountain is covered with vast green lawns， offering a tranquil resting place for the restless mind and weary body after a busy day or prolonged journey. Pitching a tent on the grassland， you can witness the lush Christmas forest swaying gently in the subtropical breeze. The mountain lakes ripple with layers of waves， allowing you to savor the rare tranquility， liberation from the hustle and bustle， and the blissful contentment of temporarily escaping from the world.

As dusk approaches， a touch of orange sunset light on the horizon reflects off the lake， making it shimmer and shine. The surrounding greenery is "cloaked" in a warm hue， but as the evening sets in， the colors slowly fade away into the twilight.

At night， the tents light up like fireflies on the grassland， illuminating the darkness amidst the night. Under the starry sky， fireworks burst into the air， and shadows bustle about. The smoke from picnics and barbecues wafts into the sky， blending into the boundless expanse of stars. At this moment， everyone becomes a part of the magnificent spirit and breathtaking beauty of Darong Mountain's "natural brushstroke."

Indeed， Darong Mountain lives up to its name， for it embodies the greatness of true "rong" （accommodation） — capable of withstanding the test of time and the changes of countless years. It has witnessed the passage of countless sunrises and sunsets， the ever-changing clouds， yet it still stands tall， accommodating all that comes its way.