Balihe Scenic Area is located in Balihe Town, Yingshang County, Fuyang City, Anhui Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a provincial-level nature reserve, a provincial-level study tour base, and an Anhui Province kite-flying base. It has been awarded the "Global 500" environmental honor by the United Nations Environment Programme. Covering a total area of 3,600 mu (about 240 hectares), it is known as the "Number One Peasant Park in the World." Its unique feature lies in the ingenious integration of natural scenery and cultural landscapes, making it a top destination for sightseeing, prayer, and wellness tourism. The scenic area boasts a variety of distinctive architectural structures, including exotic buildings such as the Greek Temple of Zeus, the Paris Sacré-C?ur Basilica, and the French Arc de Triomphe, as well as traditional Chinese structures like blue-stone memorial archways, ancient temples, and Suzhou-style gardens.
History and Culture
Balihe has a long history and has undergone numerous changes over time. According to legend, during the 43rd year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty (1564), a legal dispute arose over whether Balihe should be classified as a "river" or a "lake." Although the authorities ultimately ruled it a lake, due to historical reasons and local custom, it continued to be called Balihe (which means "Eight-Mile River"). The area is also linked to the legend of Yu the Great, who tamed the floods. The Liugou River (the predecessor of Balihe) once served as a haven for boats on the Huai River. During the Sui and Tang dynasties, a sluice gate was built to control the water levels. By the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, wars and floods had turned the area into a desolate marshland, giving rise to many legends and historical sites, including the tale of Miaosanjie becoming a nun, the Wangsi Terrace, and the Crooked-Mouth Well. In more recent times, Balihe also endured hardships: in 1938, the breach of the Yellow River dike at Huayuankou caused floodwaters to flow southward into Balihe, leading to severe inundation. The catastrophic flood of 1954 once again devastated the areas along both banks of the river. Later, through continuous efforts by the government and local people to control and develop the area, the Balihe Scenic Area as it is known today came into being.
Major Attractions
Bird and Jungle Area
This area is home to nearly 100 species of nationally protected first-class birds, including peacocks, white cranes, red-crowned cranes, and Steller's sea eagles, as well as second-class birds such as swans, mandarin ducks, white-naped cranes, whooper swans, and cinereous vultures.
Exotic Scenery
This zone features replicas of the Greek Temple of Zeus, the Paris Sacré-C?ur Basilica, the French Arc de Triomphe, a German village church, the American Grand Canyon, Dutch windmills, colorful fountains, and a calligraphy and painting corridor, making visitors feel as if they are in a foreign land.
Splendid China
This area includes imposing blue-stone memorial archways, majestic ancient temples, quaint Suzhou-style gardens, the Jiutian Waterfall cascading down like a curtain of jade, the Jiulong Jade Wall (a treasured centerpiece of the park), and the imposing People's Monument.
Emerald Lakes and Green Islets
The vast emerald lake stretches out with misty, boundless waters. Twelve green islets are named after the Chinese zodiac animals, connected by soft bridges and covered bridges. Each islet features different flowers that bloom throughout the year. Bird Island, in particular, is picturesque and has been featured on CCTV.
Recommended Routes：
For visitors arriving in the morning and taking the sightseeing bus, it is recommended to start at the East Zone and follow this route: East Zone (Splendid China) → West Zone (Exotic Scenery) → Bird and Jungle Area. For those arriving in the afternoon, it is suggested to start at the Bird and Jungle Area and follow this route: Bird and Jungle Area → West Zone (Exotic Scenery) → East Zone (Splendid China), as the cable-suspended soft bridge in the East Zone offers a stunning sunset view.
Travel Tips：
The best times to visit are April–May (when spring flowers are in bloom and the weather is pleasant) and September–October (when autumn skies are clear and crisp, ideal for outdoor activities). Avoid the hot summer months (July–August) and the cold winter period (December–February).
It is recommended to allocate one full day for an in-depth exploration of the core attractions. For a more comprehensive experience including surrounding sites, a 2-day, 1-night itinerary is suggested.
Since the attractions are spread out, visitors are advised to take the sightseeing bus or rent bicycles to save time and energy.
There are several restaurants within the scenic area. Recommended local specialties include the Balihe whole fish banquet, Yingshan格拉条 (a local noodle dish), and pillow-shaped steamed buns.
For photography, the Exotic Scenery and Splendid China zones are ideal for architectural shots, with the best lighting between 9:00–11:00 AM and 4:00–6:00 PM. The Bird and Jungle Area is great for bird close-ups; a telephoto lens is recommended. The Emerald Lake area is perfect for lake views and sunsets; visitors can take a boat to the island in the center of the lake for photography.
The Bird and Jungle Area and the Folk Customs Park offer several family-friendly interactive activities, such as bird feeding and handicraft making, suitable for children aged 3–12. It is advisable to prepare sun protection and comfortable walking shoes for children.
Important Notices：
The scenic area is open from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM (extended to 6:00 PM in summer). It is recommended to arrive at the entrance one hour early to avoid peak-hour ticketing queues. Admission to individual attractions stops one hour before closing time; please plan your visit accordingly.
When taking boats in the Emerald Lake area, passengers must comply with safety regulations, wear life jackets, and refrain from walking around or standing on the boat. Children must be accompanied by adults. Swimming in non-designated areas is strictly prohibited for safety reasons.
In the Bird and Jungle Area, do not feed the birds with food brought from outside. If you wish to feed them, purchase approved bird food at designated spots within the park to prevent the birds from ingesting harmful substances. Chasing or startling the birds is prohibited; please help protect their habitat.
The scenic area has abundant vegetation. Smoking and open flames are strictly prohibited. Do not pick flowers or damage plants. Please sort and dispose of waste in designated bins to keep the environment clean.
Some attractions (such as the ancient buildings in the Exotic Scenery zone and the corridors in the Splendid China zone) have steps and steep slopes. Elderly visitors, pregnant women, and people with disabilities should proceed with caution and are advised to bring walking sticks or use the barrier-free facilities provided.
During summer visits, take sun protection measures and bring hats, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Since there are many water bodies in the area, mosquitoes are abundant; wearing long-sleeved clothing and long pants is recommended.
The scenic area has multiple restrooms, rest areas, and medical points. If you feel unwell or need assistance, please contact the staff at any time.
During holidays, the scenic area is very crowded. It is advisable to visit on weekdays or during off-peak periods to avoid the crowds. Self-driving visitors should plan their parking route in advance.
Pets are not allowed inside the scenic area. If you need to leave your pet, you can contact the pet boarding point at the entrance.
Transportation：
Self-driving: From downtown Fuyang, take the S12 Expressway (Chuxin Expressway) south for about 40 km, exit at the Yingshang exit, then follow Yingbin Avenue and Balihe Avenue for about 15 km to reach the main entrance. The entire journey takes about 1 hour. From downtown Hefei, take the S17 Expressway (Banghe Expressway) and the S12 Expressway (Chuxin Expressway) for about 180 km, exit at Yingshang, and follow the same route to the scenic area. The journey takes about 2.5 hours.
Public Bus: The Yingshang County Bus Station has a direct shuttle bus to Balihe Tourist Area, operating from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM with departures every 30 minutes. The trip takes about 30 minutes. From Fuyang urban area, take a bus from Fuyang Bus South Station to Yingshang County, then transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus.
High-speed Rail: Take the high-speed train to Yingshang North Railway Station. From there, take a taxi to the scenic area (about 25 km), or take Bus Route 6 from the station to Yingshang County Bus Station and transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus.
Internal Transport: The scenic area offers sightseeing buses, boats, and bicycles for rent, with transfers available throughout the park. Boat ticket prices vary by route (short or long). Bicycle rental rates: 30 CNY per single bike per day, 50 CNY per tandem bike per day, with a deposit of 100 CNY per bike.
Opening Hours：
Peak season: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Off-season: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM.
Ticket Price：
Admission: 90 CNY per person.