Shimen National Forest Park (石门国家森林公园), located in Guangzhou, covers an impressive area of 2,636 hectares with a remarkable forest coverage rate of 98.9%. It is home to South China’s only remaining 16,000-acre original secondary forest, often referred to as an “oasis along the Tropic of Cancer.” The park’s highest peak, Tiantang Peak, reaches an altitude of 1,210 meters, making it the tallest mountain in the Guangzhou area.
The park features the Baimangtang River, its only river, which originates at the foot of Tiantang Peak and flows for 6.3 kilometers. The river’s clear waters create spectacular multi-level waterfalls due to the varied terrain. As it is located in a subtropical region, the park enjoys a warm climate year-round, with an average annual temperature of 21.4°C. During July and August, the average high temperature is 28.5°C, making it a popular summer escape for residents of Guangzhou. The park is also a renowned site for outdoor wedding photography.
Shimen National Forest Park is divided into five scenic areas: Rural Landscape Area, Shimen Scenic Area, Shizao Scenic Area, Tiantang Peak Scenic Area, and Canyon Adventure Area. Visitors can explore a variety of natural attractions, including the Shimen Peach Blossom area for peach blossoms, the Shimen Fragrant Snow for plum blossoms, and the Shimen Golden Sea of Flowers for rapeseed flowers. The highlight, however, is the stunning flower sea at Tianchi, which is a must-see destination for nature lovers.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Shimen National Forest Park
- Vlog about Shimen National Forest Park
- Seasonal Flower Viewing Periods
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | Half a day |
| Ticket Price | 40 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 19.00 (1st May – 31st October) 9.00 – 18.00 (1st November – 30th April) |
| Telephone Number | 0086-020-87850738 |
Location and Transportation
Shimen National Forest Park is located in Wenshan Town, Conghua District, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. To reach Shimen National Forest Park from Guangzhou, you can take a coach from one of the major bus stations in Guangzhou to Conghua Bus Station. From there, transfer to a bus heading to Daling Mountain (大岭山).
Alternatively, you can take the Metro Line 14 to Conghua Bus Station Metro Station. From there, transfer to Bus No. 12, which will take you directly to the park.
Highlights of Shimen National Forest Park
Shimen Scenic Area
Located 8 kilometers from the park’s hotel, Shimen Scenic Area is famous for its two towering stone mountains, which stand like two giant stone gates. These majestic rock formations, with rugged cliffs and ancient pine trees atop, create a breathtaking natural spectacle. Interestingly, two thousand-year-old banyan trees, resembling male and female lions, stand guard at each side of the “stone gate.” Visitors can enjoy views of the majestic Shimen, the fragrant plum blossoms of Shimen Fragrant Snow, the red autumn leaves, rare plants, and the scenic Shimen Creek, as well as explore the mysterious Shimen Valley.
Shizao Scenic Area
Located 12 kilometers from the park’s hotel at an altitude of over 800 meters, Shizao Scenic Area gets its name from a natural stone stove found there. The area also boasts 16,000 acres of original secondary forest, known as an oasis along the Tropic of Cancer, which beautifully complements the 300-acre Shizao Tianchi, a peaceful mountain lake.
Canyon Adventure Area
This area features a 2,500-meter-long canyon with towering peaks, dense forests, and stunning natural formations. The canyon is known for its cool, shaded paths lined with large, unique rocks, ancient vines, and crystal-clear streams. Visitors can admire natural wonders such as Golden Turtle Watching the Moon, Mandarin Duck Pool, and many more. The landscape is also adorned with waterfalls, mirrored waters, and enchanting vistas, such as Double Ducks Playing in the Water, Jade Belt Rainbow, and Stone Carved Wall Art, making this a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike.
Rural Landscape Area
The Rural Landscape Area in Shimen National Forest Park provides a space for visitors to enjoy accommodation, dining, entertainment, and meetings. It is home to nearly a thousand acres of famous, high-quality, and rare fruit trees. Visitors can experience the rural charm of the park before exploring its other scenic areas, and depending on the season, they can taste different varieties of these premium fruits directly from the orchard. In addition to the natural beauty, visitors can explore several attractions such as the Ancient Watchtower, Tiger God Temple, Bat King Cave, Reclining Giant, and the majestic Baizhang Waterfall.
Tiantang Peak Scenic Area
Tiantang Peak, at an altitude of 1,210 meters, is the highest mountain in the Guangzhou area. Known for its cool air, dense forests, and impressive ridges, this peak offers stunning natural beauty, characterized by its serene and mystical charm. The summit features a large rock called Tianwang Stone, which carries a captivating legend. Tiantang Peak, along with nearby peaks such as Tiantang Second Peak, Monkey Forehead, and Hengkeng Peak, forms four majestic summits. As the sun sets, these peaks take on a striking appearance, giving a sense of ancient, timeless beauty. From the top, visitors are treated to breathtaking views, including distant mountains, high gorges, and peaceful lakes. Scenic highlights include Tianwang Stone, the four great peaks, as well as opportunities to view sunrise, vast forests, and seas of clouds, while overlooking Liuxi River, Nankun Mountain, Conghua Hot Springs, and a pumped storage power station.
Vlog about Shimen National Forest Park
Seasonal Flower Viewing Periods
Shimen National Forest Park, located at the junction of Conghua, Zengcheng, and Longmen counties, is unique for its diverse forest landscape. The park transforms into a colorful display in different seasons, with various flower species planted for visitors to enjoy throughout the year. Here are the main flower-viewing periods:
Red Silk-Cotton Flowers (January to March): Shimen Park boasts nearly 10,000 acres of Red Silk-Cotton trees, the largest natural forest of its kind in Guangdong Province. These trees can grow up to 20 meters tall, and their vibrant red flowers are a hallmark of early spring. Best viewed in the Shizao Scenic Area, the prime time for Red Silk-Cotton flower viewing is from January to April.
Peach Blossoms (January to February): As a traditional symbol in Chinese gardens, peach blossoms fill the Shimen Scenic Area with hues of red and pink. The park is home to hundreds of acres of peach trees, including both single and double-petal varieties. The best time to enjoy these blossoms is from January to February.
Litsea Flowers (January to February):The golden blooms of Litsea trees create a “golden sea” each spring, with hundreds of acres lining the roads around the park’s Lotus Lake area. Their vibrant display is best enjoyed from January to February.
Rapeseed Flowers (February to March): The park features two stunning rapeseed flower fields: one near Tianchi Pool and another at the entrance to the Furong Path. The golden blooms stretch for nearly 100 acres and form a striking contrast against the lush green forest. The best time to see these flowers is from February to March.
Chinese Wisteria (Mid-March to April): Discovered in 2000, Shimen Park has one of the largest Chinese Wisteria groves in the Guangzhou region, with nearly 1,000 acres of natural vines. The best time to visit the “Hundred Wisteria Nest” area is from mid-March to April.
Azaleas (March to April): Azaleas, one of China’s top ten famous flowers, bloom across nearly 100 acres in the Lotus Lake area. These flowers come in shades of white, pink, and deep red, offering a vivid display on the park’s slopes. The best viewing period is from March to April.
Summer Flower Sea (May to July): During the summer months, the Tianchi Flower Sea in Shizao Scenic Area is filled with vibrant blooms such as scarlet sage, cockscomb, and lavender. This flower sea, located 800 meters above sea level, is at its most dazzling from May to July.
Seven-Color Flower Sea (September to November): The “Seven-Color Flower Sea” is a rainbow of red sage, sulfur cosmos, globe amaranth, zinnia, and other colorful flowers. This spectacle can be seen from September to November, especially around the National Day holiday.
Shimen Red Leaves (Mid-November to January): Shimen Forest Park is also known as the “Fragrant Mountain of Guangzhou” for its red leaves. Covering over 3,000 acres, the red leaves—primarily maple, wingnut, and sumac – are best enjoyed in the Baiwangtan, Shizao, and Lotus Lake areas. The peak viewing time is from mid-November to January.
Shimen Winter Plum Blossoms (December to January): The park features a thousand-acre plum forest with varieties such as green plum. When the flowers bloom, they create a stunning snow-like effect, giving the area its name “Shimen Snow Scenery.” The best time to see these blossoms is from December to January.
