A visitor attached to a harness flies through the air at Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park on July 22, 2023. Photo: Shan Jie/Global Times

Situated at the heart of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Guanyin Mountain falls within the one-hour economic circle of major cities such as Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Guangzhou.

The Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park covers an area of 18 square kilometers. It is a national 4A-level tourist scenic spot administrated by Dongguan, South China's Guangdong Province that combines a forest "oxygen bar," cultural experiences, and a place to dream and find romance.

With its natural resources and creative activities, the national forest park has been serving as a key ecological barrier in Guangdong, as well as a hub to connect people, especially the youth in the Greater Bay Area.

Green barrier

The Guanyin Mountain National Forest Park boasts the largest and most complete primitive and secondary forests within Dongguan, with a forest coverage rate of over 92 percent. The air is abundant with oxygen, making it an excellent place for health and well-being. 

The natural landscape of intertwining mountains and forests creates a refreshing atmosphere. The park harbors nearly a thousand species of wild plants and over 300 species of wildlife, benefiting from its unique ecological environment and providing excellent natural conditions for health and wellness. 

Due to its influence by the South Asian tropical marine climate, Guanyin Mountain experiences mild summers and winters without severe cold. It belongs to a hot and rainy region, which is highly suitable for the growth of tropical and subtropical plants. The lush South Asian tropical evergreen broad-leaved forests on the mountain are often shrouded in mist, with streams running through the area.

Nowadays it is renowned as a "green pearl" in the southern Guangdong region. It is hard to believe that 20 years ago, this area was an obscure and desolate mountain covered with weeds and immature trees that could not be found on the map.

During its exploration to build the national forest park, the operators followed the principles of "protection as priority and sustainable construction." The ancient trees and rare plants were documented and special protection areas for rare birds and animals and designated water source areas for protection were also established.

By the end of December 2000, the Dongguan government officially approved the establishment of 16 forest parks in the city, with Guanyin Mountain Forest Park being among them.

In December 2005, Guanyin Mountain was approved by the former National Forestry Bureau as the country's first national forest park involving private enterprises in conservation and development. In December 2009, it became a national 4A-level tourist attraction.

The geographical location also contributes to a continuous flow of visitors to Guanyin Mountain. 

Taking a high-speed train from nearby train station, it only takes 21 minutes to arrive at the Luohu port between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

During weekends and holidays, urban residents yearn to be closer to nature. Visiting Guanyin Mountain to pay homage, meditate, cultivate their minds, and participate in cultural activities has gradually become part of their lives.

As of now, the Guanyin Mountain Scenic Area has received over 15 million domestic and international tourists, generating a direct tourism revenue of over 1.5 billion yuan($208 million) and directly or indirectly assisting in the employment and reemployment of nearly 20,000 people.

To achieve sustainable development in forest ecological tourism, the Guanyin Mountain Park implemented comprehensive ecological management. However, there are challenges to be resolved. For instance, local power supply department has erected multiple high-voltage lines traversing the core area of the park, damaging its aesthetic appeal and safety; some villagers  have engaged in unauthorized logging; moreover, several self-built unauthorized villas have not yet been demolished.

To resolve these problems, the park would need support and efforts from multiple departments, in order to provide the best experience for tourists.

Good wishes

Developing the economy while safeguarding the green mountains and clear waters is a common challenge faced by national nature reserves across the country. The administrative team of the park has been integrating cultural elements into the natural beauty, allowing the harmony between the beauty of nature and culture to showcase their aesthetic and commercial value.

They spare no expense and invest millions of yuan each year in cultural activities. For instance, in 2019 alone, they organized over 70 events of diverse forms, ranging from literary gatherings with top domestic authors to large-scale mountain running competitions. 

The mass dating festival is one of the most iconic activities in the Guanyin Mountain. The park would host four large gatherings each year in four seasons, aiming to provide a reliable platform for love-seekers to find their other half.

"Before the epidemic, we could attract tens of thousands people to attend each time ," Chen Jingyu, director at the administrative commission of the park, told the Global Times. "The success rate of blind match is pretty high here, at about 6 to 8 percent, which made our festival grow in popularity among people in the Greater Bay Area."

Due to the epidemic, the festival has been halted for three years. Luckily, with three years of waits, the festival is returning on September 10 this year.

Another one of Guanyin Mountain's most famous cultural initiatives is the "couplet composition" (creation of a slogan) that began in 2015. The first line of the couplet is "Appreciate the mountains and waters at Guanyin Mountain."

The park offered a reward of 700,000 yuan to the public for a matching second line, drawing great attention from domestic literature lovers as well as media outlets. But even after six years, no suitable second line has been found. People are increasingly curious about Guanyin Mountain, and many are eager to visit and witness its true beauty.