Shennong Valley National Forest Park is located in the northeast of Yanling County, Zhuzhou City, Hunan Province, and is a national 4A-level tourist attraction. The scenic area covers a total area of 10,000 hectares, with a standing timber volume of 1,614,700 cubic meters and a forest coverage rate of 98.75%. It has a mid-subtropical monsoon humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 14.4°C. It is characterized by pristine and wild charm, precipitous deep ravines and gorges, and tranquil pastoral villages. The scenic area contains China's only remaining 116,000 mu of primitive forest at the convergence zone of East China, South China, and Central China. The mountain slopes are steep, with many deep ravines, gorges, and bare rocks. Natural villages are distributed in the small basins within the mountainous area, just like a Peach Blossom Spring paradise.
Historical Culture
The history of Shennong Valley National Forest Park can be traced back to 1982, when the Hunan Provincial People's Government approved the establishment of the Taoyuandong Nature Reserve. In 1984, construction of the national forest park began and a management organization was formed. In 1992, with the approval of the Ministry of Forestry, the "Taoyuandong National Forest Park" was officially established, and in the same year it became part of the Yandi Mausoleum-Taoyuandong Scenic Area. In 2005, it was renamed Shennong Valley National Forest Park, and in 2011 it was rated as a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.
During the Agrarian Revolutionary War, Shennong Valley was one of the core areas of the Jinggangshan Revolutionary Base Area, the Hunan-Jiangxi Revolutionary Base Area, and the three-year guerrilla war in southern China. After eleven years of revolutionary struggle, it left behind a rich legacy of red cultural relics.
Main Attractions
Zhulian Waterfall
Zhulian Waterfall cascades down from a sheer cliff, with a drop of 48.2 meters. It is one of the areas with the highest negative oxygen ion content in China, reaching 130,000 per cubic centimeter. On clear afternoons, an arched rainbow often appears below the waterfall, where mist and sunlight interweave, creating a magical scene.
Shennong Flying Waterfall
Shennong Flying Waterfall has a drop of 235.2 meters, making it the largest waterfall in Hunan. It falls in three tiers. The water rushes down from Shennong Peak at an altitude of 2,235.2 meters, dancing like a white silk ribbon among the green mountains and trees, shaking the valley with its roar and displaying magnificent momentum.
Tree Embracing Rock
By the Jinghua Stream there is a wild chestnut tree over 1,500 years old. Because the seed fell and grew in a crack in a stone wall, its root system wrapped around the rock, forming the unique "Tree Embracing Rock" landscape and demonstrating the miracle of natural vitality.
Black Dragon Pool
The water of Black Dragon Pool is clear, and the surrounding environment is quiet and serene. Walking up the steps from the entrance, one can see the naturally formed "One-Line Sky," a passage formed by huge rocks and mountain walls that is 2 meters wide at its widest point and only half a meter at its narrowest, steep and peculiar.
Recommended Tour Route：
Recommended 2-day, 1-night in-depth tour route:
Day 1: Buy tickets at the visitor center → Jinghua Stream Primitive Forest Grand Canyon (visit Zhulian Waterfall, Fairy Viewing Waterfall, Tree Embracing Rock) → Shennong Valley Jungle Adventure (experience high-altitude expansion projects, about 2 hours) → Stay at Shennong Bay Hotel → Evening bonfire party (open in peak season, 19:30-21:00).
Day 2: In the early morning, go to the Reef Metasequoia Forest (photograph morning mist and reflections) → hike the ancient Xianren Grain Transport Trail (about 1.5 hours) → visit the Red Army Camp Site → after lunch, go to Shennong Flying Waterfall (view the 235-meter-drop waterfall, round-trip hike about 3 hours) → before returning, buy local specialties such as Yanling yellow peaches and wild honey.
Travel Tips：
The scenic area has many wet and slippery stone steps. It is recommended to wear slip-resistant sports shoes. In summer, sun protection supplies are needed, and in winter, slip-resistant boots are needed (some sections are icy).
For an in-depth tour, it is recommended to stay inside the scenic area, either at Shennong Bay Hotel (four-star standard, room rate 300-500 yuan per night) or at a farmhouse (150-200 yuan per night, including three meals).
Hiking to Shennong Flying Waterfall takes 3 hours. It is recommended to bring drinking water and energy food (there are few small shops along the way in the scenic area).
In mid-to-late April, wild azaleas can be viewed (mainly distributed around Shennong Peak), and mid-October is the best time for red leaves (in the Reef Metasequoia Forest area).
Precautions：
Smoking is prohibited in the scenic area; violators will be fined 50-200 yuan. Garbage must be placed in designated trash bins to protect the primitive ecology.
Some sections of the Shennong Flying Waterfall boardwalk are steep. Elderly people and children need to be accompanied by adults, and attention should be paid to slip prevention on rainy days.
Entering undeveloped areas without permission (such as the core protection area of Shennong Peak) is not allowed, to avoid getting lost or encountering wild animals.
There are many mosquitoes in summer, so mosquito repellent is needed. In winter, temperatures are low (-5°C to 5°C), so down jackets and other warm clothing are needed.
Self-driving vehicles must obey the scenic area's speed limits (mountain roads are limited to 30 km/h). Parking costs 10 yuan per vehicle per day. In peak season (weekends and holidays), it is recommended to arrive before 8:00.
Transportation：
Public transportation:
Take a bus from Changsha South Bus Station or Zhuzhou Bus Station to Yanling County (about 3.5 hours from Changsha, fare 80 yuan; about 2 hours from Zhuzhou, fare 50 yuan).
Transfer at Yanling County Central Bus Station to the scenic area shuttle bus (daily 6:30-16:30, one bus per hour, fare 20 yuan, travel time 1 hour).
Self-driving routes:
Changsha → Beijing-Hong Kong-Macau Expressway → Hengyan Expressway → Yanling County → Shennong Valley National Forest Park (about 260 kilometers in total, travel time 3.5 hours, toll about 120 yuan).
Zhuzhou → Shanghai-Kunming Expressway → Hengyan Expressway → Yanling County → Shennong Valley National Forest Park (about 180 kilometers in total, travel time 2.5 hours, toll about 80 yuan).
Transportation within the scenic area:
Sightseeing buses run in a loop and stop at major attractions such as Zhulian Waterfall and Shennong Flying Waterfall. First and last bus times are 08:00-17:00, 20 yuan per person (included in the ticket).
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round. Specific times are as follows: May 1-June 30 08:00-18:00; July 1-August 31 07:30-18:00; September 1-October 31 08:00-18:00; November 1-April 30 of the following year 08:00-17:30. Every year, April-May (azalea season) and October-November (red leaf season) are the best periods for visiting, and June-August is suitable for summer escape and cooling off.
Tickets：
The ticket is 102 yuan per person.