Henan Tourism: One Hundred Cars Self-Driving to Baiyun Mountain in Song County (Photos)
The "China's Most Beautiful Place - Luoyang Baiyun Mountain Hundred-Car Self-Driving Tour" event continued its self-driving journey after the successful completion of the first leg where a hundred cars headed to Tianchi Mountain. In the afternoon of April 15, 2006, the convoy set off in a joyful atmosphere of singing and laughter towards another scenic area in Song County—Baiyun Mountain.
The convoy heading to Baiyun Mountain (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The winding mountain roads to Baiyun Mountain were exceptionally steep and perilous. Under the command and coordination of radio communication, each vehicle maintained a certain distance and slowly crawled uphill. Unlike during the earlier leg, the radio channels were silent without the laughter and chatter of the car enthusiasts; only the steady voice of the convoy commander giving instructions could be heard.
Passing through a tunnel (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Baiyun Mountain National Forest Park is one of the key scenic areas developed by Song County, Luoyang. It is reported that since 2004, the Song County Party Committee and County Government have invested over 200 million yuan to carry out comprehensive, high-standard renovations of the scenic area, bringing its facilities to a national first-class level. With high-quality tourism resources and first-class scenic facilities, Baiyun Mountain has become a famous Central Plains mountain and a paradise on earth, where "water hangs in the sky, clouds drift among the mountains, birds sing in the forest, and people wander through a painting."
Winding mountain road at Baiyun Mountain (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
"Spanning three regions, grand landscape of mountains and waters, primeval forest sea, summer resort." Over the past two years, Baiyun Mountain has been successively rated as one of "Henan Province's Top Ten Hot Tourist Attractions," ranked first as "Henan's Most Beautiful Scenic Area," designated as a provincial-level scenic spot, and a national AAAA-level scenic area. It also won top honors in the "China's Most Beautiful Places" selection representing Henan, securing both the "Media and Public Group" and "Online and Mobile Popularity Group" titles, becoming a truly "Famous Mountain of the Central Plains" and a leading ecological tourism and leisure vacation destination in Henan.
Entering the gate of Baiyun Mountain (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
After the convoy arrived at Baiyun Mountain, the car enthusiasts first visited the famous forest oxygen bar scenic area on the mountain. The forest oxygen bar covers an area of over 70,000 mu. Its facilities are primarily rustic and natural, making it an excellent place for relaxation and recuperation. According to relevant data, as measured by the Institute of Geographic Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one mu of pine forest here produces 49 kilograms of oxygen per day, and the negative oxygen ion content in the air reaches 73,000 per cubic centimeter—3,650 times that of ordinary public places in cities and 1,450 times that of average residences.
Forest oxygen bar landscape (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
When rich negative oxygen ions are inhaled into the human body, they have calming, hypnotic, analgesic, cough-suppressing, appetite-enhancing, and blood pressure-lowering effects. They can improve lung ventilation function, increase oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output, leaving people refreshed and energetic. Therefore, negative oxygen ions are praised as "vitamins in the air," "environmental guardians," and "longevity elements."
Filming of "Roaming the World" (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
In the forest oxygen bar, the rosin from pine trees volatilizes under photosynthesis. This aromatic scent has the effects of lowering blood pressure and opening orifices, helping those who are weak or fatigued to strengthen their physique, dispel illness, and quickly recover mental and physical strength. Adjacent to the forest oxygen bar is the Baiyun Mountain Alpine Peony Garden.
Resting in the forest oxygen bar (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Alpine Peony Garden built at the Baiyun Mountain scenic area in October 2005 is the peony garden with the highest altitude and largest area in China. The garden contains 156 alpine peony varieties totaling 56,000 plants, with a total investment of 3.3 million yuan and a planting area of 168 mu. The planting area is at an altitude of 1,530 meters. The alpine peony garden ranks first in China in terms of altitude, variety, and scale.
Group photo at the Alpine Peony Garden (Photo by Wang Jue)
Since the average annual temperature in the Baiyun Mountain scenic area is more than 6 degrees Celsius lower than in the urban area, with the minimum temperature reaching minus 20 degrees Celsius, caretakers take measures such as earthing up and spraying pesticides on the peony roots to protect them during winter, and wrap the above-ground parts of the peony plants with straw to withstand the cold mountain climate.
A corner of the Alpine Peony Garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
"When Luoyang peonies have faded, the national flower blooms in the mountains." From May to August each year, visitors can admire the enchanting beauty of peonies at Baiyun Mountain. Unfortunately, this trip to Baiyun Mountain was a bit too early, so the car enthusiasts missed the chance to see the alpine peonies in full bloom—a real pity.
Landscape in the peony garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Not far from the Alpine Peony Garden is the Liuhou Temple (Marquis Zhang Liang's shrine). According to historical records, this is where Zhang Liang of the Han Dynasty retired. Currently, some buildings have been restored on the original site, covering an area of 80 mu with a floor area of 1,100 square meters and a total investment of 3.6 million yuan. Liuhou Temple is located on the shore of Baiyun Lake, surrounded by lush green trees and clear water. Inside, the temple displays rich artifacts, including the rustic Yinyue Pavilion, thatched hut, and fishing platform, allowing visitors to trace the traces of Han Prime Minister Zhang Liang's seclusion here.
Liuhou Temple at Baiyun Mountain (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Baiyun Lake outside Liuhou Temple was built in 1997. It has a dam height of 17 meters, a length of 35 meters, a lake surface length of 500 meters, and a maximum water storage capacity of 120,000 cubic meters. Here, blue waves ripple, white mist lingers, and the scenery is picturesque. Below Baiyun Lake is another lake, Qingshan Lake, with a capacity of 150,000 cubic meters, named for its embrace by green mountains where the mountains and waters merge in harmony and the peaks stretch continuously, giving a sense of vibrant greenery at a glance.
Beautiful Baiyun Lake (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Yun Lake is a newly built regulating reservoir in the Baiyun Mountain scenic area, specifically used to regulate water for downstream waterfalls. Baiyun Lake and Qingshan Lake, two interconnected lakes, are like two emeralds set in the high mountains and deep valleys, forming an open water surface of over 500 meters—a truly spectacular sight. They not only ensure water supply on the mountain but also improve the ecological environment.
Group photo by the lake (Photo by Wang Jue)
Here, flocks of water birds in various colors are a delightful sight, flitting over the water like spirits, while schools of small fish and tadpoles swim freely, adding more fun.
Wildflowers in full bloom (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The car enthusiasts took a boat ride on the lake. A gentle breeze blew, rippling the water, as if traveling through sky light and clouds. It was endlessly enjoyable—no urban noise, no life worries. Only blue sky, white clouds, green mountains, and clear water, which can wash away physical and mental fatigue, clarify tangled thoughts, and let imagination soar. Here, people feel calm and carefree.
Bonfire party (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Baiyun Mountain scenic area is much larger than Tianchi Mountain. To visit it thoroughly would take about two days. So, after touring the forest oxygen bar, alpine peony garden, Liuhou Temple, and Baiyun Lake that day, dusk had fallen. After dinner, a lively bonfire party was held, and a performance of simple ethnic folk dances brought the party to a climax.
Folk dance performance (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
In mid-April, the weather at Baiyun Mountain is exceptionally cold at night. Returning to the room from the heated bonfire party, the temperature seemed to drop sharply, and people's breath was visible when they spoke. Therefore, the hotels where each team stayed promptly prepared two quilts for the visitors. But even so, the car enthusiasts still endured a rather uncomfortable night. It seems that coming to Baiyun Mountain for a summer retreat is definitely a worthwhile choice of scenic attractions.
Accommodation at Baiyun Mountain Villa (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
At 3 a.m. on April 16, some admirably determined car enthusiasts got up and headed to Yuhuangding to watch the sunrise. Yuhuangding, at an altitude of 2,216 meters, is the highest peak in the Central Plains, named for its spire-like apex piercing the sky. To climb Yuhuangding, one must ascend over 3,000 stone steps; even a one-way trip usually takes more than forty minutes.
Sunrise viewed from Yuhuangding at Baiyun Mountain
Standing on Yuhuangding and looking into the distance, one can take in the scenery of three cities and six counties: to the east, Lushan County in Pingdingshan; to the south, Nanzhao County, Neixiang County, and Xixia County in Nanyang; to the west, Luanchuan County and Song County. Yuhuangding is the best place in the Central Plains to see the sea of clouds and sunrise. The moment the morning sun leaps out from the distant peaks, heaven and earth are shaken, and all things are moved. The colorful clouds, the crimson sun, and the magnificent peaks form an extremely grand picture that is breathtaking.
Spectacular sea of clouds at Baiyun Mountain
Baiyun Mountain sea of clouds: The poet Tao Hongjing once wrote: "What is there in the mountains? Many white clouds on the ridges." This description fits Baiyun Mountain perfectly. Located in the transition zone from subtropical to warm temperate, Baiyun Mountain has 40,000 mu of primeval forest with ancient towering trees, dense shade, and rising water vapor. Hence, there are many and peculiar clouds, with the mountain covered by a sea of clouds for half the year.
Heilongtan (Black Dragon Pool) at Baiyun Mountain (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The clouds at Baiyun Mountain are like those by the sea, washed by water vapor! The clouds at Baiyun Mountain are like those beyond the sky, free from dust and pollution! Light clouds and thin mists rise from the valley like wisps of cooking smoke, then spread out, turning the scene into a vast ocean, where peaks protruding from the sea resemble isolated islands. In the blink of an eye, waves surge, and everything becomes chaotic. Moments later, the waves lap gently, the mist disperses, and the sky is filled with red clouds, making the mountains greener than before. Truly ever-changing and indescribably wonderful.
Beautiful scenery of Baiyun Mountain (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The most famous attraction at Baiyun Mountain is the Jiulong Waterfall scenic area. There are two routes to reach it. One is to walk through the 1.5-kilometer-long Jiulong Grand Canyon to reach the Jiulong parking lot, then descend stone steps to the valley bottom. The other is to drive directly to the Jiulong parking lot and then descend into the valley. To save energy, most visitors choose the latter, avoiding the tiring three-li walk.
Jiulong Grand Canyon (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
However, by doing so, one misses out on the pleasure of strolling through the grand canyon. The Jiulong Grand Canyon is the source of the Baihe River, a tributary of the Han River in the Yangtze River basin. The canyon is over 3,000 meters long with a drop of 130 meters, forming waterfall and pool landscapes such as Heilongtan, Huanglongjing, Bailongtan, Zhenzhutan, Bailong Waterfall, and Jiulong Waterfall. The entire canyon features strange rocks, deep pools, magnificent waterfalls, steep mountains, beautiful waters, and lush forests—a premium scenic area within Baiyun Mountain.
Plank path in the mountains (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
There are two paths descending to the valley bottom leading to the Jiulong Waterfall scenic area. One is on the mountain side with over 2,000 stone steps and requires passing through a cave; the other is an open stone path on the opposite mountain with over 1,000 steps. A sky bridge spanning the middle of the grand canyon connects these two paths, merging them into a single route down to the valley bottom.
Steep stone steps (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Along the way, the Bailong Waterfall is also a beautiful sight. Known as "Bai Long Zhuang" (White Dragon Crash), it resembles a white dragon descending from the sky. With twists and turns, it plunges straight down like a white dragon leaving the valley. The waterfall has a drop of over 80 meters, its force like thunder and lightning, overwhelming and roaring through the canyon, resounding through the clouds.
Bailongzhuang landscape (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
At the valley bottom, one sees the spectacular Jiulong Waterfall. The waterfall is 130 meters high, and the cliff face naturally forms nine rock veins, resembling nine giant dragons. It is 6 meters wide, with cascading pearls and a rainbow swirling around, an incredibly wonderful sight. It is praised as "a rare and marvelous landscape in the world's natural scenery," and the "Jiulong Waterfall Playing with Rainbow" has amazed people both at home and abroad.
Jiulong Waterfall (Photo by Ying Zengxuan)
After visiting the Jiulong Waterfall, if one does not want to endure the hardship of climbing back up, they can take the Jiulong sightseeing cable car to return. The Jiulong Waterfall cable car is 800 meters long, with a vertical lift of 246 meters, and 50 gondolas. Built at an investment of 15 million yuan, it is the first alpine sightseeing cable car in Luoyang. Riding the cable car, visitors can take in the unique scenery of the Jiulong Grand Canyon from a high altitude, offering a different kind of enjoyment.
Jiulong Waterfall cable car (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Baiyun Mountain scenic area also features attractions such as the primeval forest, stone inscriptions by world-famous figures in praise of Baiyun Mountain, and Baiyun Peak. In particular, the seven unusual peaks of Baiyun Peak are often shrouded in white clouds, giving a celestial aura. At the top of the peak is a White Snake Cave, said to be the place where the White Snake cultivated.
Group photo at Jiulong Waterfall (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Other attractions on the mountain include Yixiantian (A Thread of Sky), Jintu Baiyue (Golden Rabbit Worshipping the Moon), Wangfu Stone (Wife Gazing Stone), and Tianqiao (Sky Bridge), along with numerous exotic trees, rare birds and animals, and hundreds of birds and flowers, making the Baiyun Peak sightseeing area colorful and pleasant. After seeing the natural scenery of Baiyun Peak, one feels that Mr. Qigong's inscription "Baiyun Mountain, a Paradise on Earth" is by no means an exaggeration.
"Flying down three thousand feet" (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
After lunch on April 16, the convoy smoothly descended the mountain, ending their tour of Baiyun Mountain. Passing through the county seat of Song County caused a stir in the town. People stood on both sides of the streets, happily and curiously watching the rare sight of a hundred cars driving through Song County. That evening, the convoy checked into several hotels by the shores of Luhun Lake.
Autumn beauty of Baiyun Mountain
The vast and misty Luhun Lake is also a famous scenic spot in Song County. Centered around Luhun Reservoir, it includes the lakeside county town, Two Cheng's Former Residence, Yi Yin's Former Residence, and Jianggong Temple. The area features unique cultural and natural landscapes, specializing in water recreation and conference tourism, and is one of the top ten tourist attractions in Luoyang.
Beautiful Luhun Lake (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The scenic area boasts magnificent mountains and rivers, with a rich cultural heritage. The Yangshao cultural site at Qiaobei, the ancient city of Luhun, and the Pugou Grottoes indicate that Song County has a long history, an ancient establishment, and a brilliant ancient culture. The Two Cheng's Former Residence is the former home of Cheng Hao and Cheng Yi, the founders of Neo-Confucianism in the Song Dynasty; their principles of Neo-Confucianism shine through the ages. Yi Yin's Former Residence is the birthplace of Yi Yin, the famous prime minister of the Shang Dynasty, a name that has been passed down for millennia.
Parade through Song County town (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
On the morning of April 17, the convoy began the return journey, and the radios became lively again. Every self-driving trip sees car enthusiasts go from voice exchanges on the car radios to face-to-face acquaintance. Often, the verbal communication during the journey makes the moment of meeting feel especially warm. Sometimes, before meeting, car enthusiasts give each other nicknames based on their vehicles. In the reporter's Team B, there were two "Land Rover" vehicles, both driven by women. For convenience during communication, based on their models, they were affectionately called "Big Tiger" and "Little Tiger" by the group. The women happily accepted these nicknames.
Group photo before departure (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Each self-driving convoy trip is an excellent opportunity to make friends. The "Hundred Cars Treading White Clouds" journey was especially so. Particularly for first-time participants, it greatly sparked their interest in driving trips. After the event, many joined the 974 Car Lovers Club. On the return trip, some car enthusiasts and staff took a final group photo at the Yuanshi service area on the Beijing-Zhuhai Expressway, then warmly said goodbye. Thus, the Baiyun Mountain trip concluded successfully. (Text and photos by Feng Ganyong)
