The Hidden Forest Utopia: A Magical Journey Through Huanghai Forest Park
🌳 Along the Huanghai coast in Dongtai, Jiangsu, lies a "natural oxygen bar" spanning 60,000 mu. Driving along National Highway 228, at the end of the road, a breathtaking view unfolds - Dongtai Huanghai Forest Park's metasequoia corridor stretches like a jade screen. Sunlight dances through branches onto stone pavements, while 4,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter carry the fresh scent of vegetation, naturally slowing the pace of urban dwellers. This is not only East China's largest artificial ecological forest but also a fairytale world through all seasons, from spring cherry blossoms to winter rime frost - each frame a visual poem of nature.
🌟 Must-Visit Secret Spots: Multiple Ways to Experience the Forest
🌲 Metasequoia Corridor and Skywalk
• A Red Tunnel of Light and Shadow: Straight metasequoia trees stand guard on both sides like loyal sentinels. November brings blazing red sequoias, while December features crystal-clear rime frost. The skywalk suspended above the canopy lets you touch the leaves, with dappled shadows below creating perfect forest-themed photos.
• Forest Eye Observation Deck: Free access to the glass observation deck offers a 360° view of the red sequoia forest. The mirror design creates an overlap of reflections and reality, like entering the floating realm of "Avatar."
🚂 Forest Train Tour
• A Fairytale Train Through Time: Ride the vintage green train through the forest, where wheel sounds mix with birdsong on gravel paths, and window reflections capture flowing sequoia shadows - like stepping into the steampunk world of "Spirited Away" (train ride included in admission).
♨️ Forest Hot Spring Healing Plan
• Natural Therapeutic Springs: Soak in the 42°C "Wind Bath" hot spring pool under starlight filtering through the canopy, with mineral-rich waters below that instantly melt away fatigue. Night bathers might catch glimpses of dancing fireflies in the forest.
🍜 Culinary Adventures: From Forest to Plate
• Deep Forest Deer Restaurant: Features "Forest Feast" specialties. Must-try dishes include soup dumplings with crab roe (bursting with juice), bamboo fungus with free-range chicken, and pan-fried cod (fresh catch), paired with wild ferns. Enjoy ecological dining for about 60 yuan per person.
• Wetland Fisherman's House: "Fisherman's Residence" 1km outside the park serves blanched squid, razor clams in scallion oil, and braised mixed fish - all fresh from Huanghai daily catch. Taste land and sea delicacies for about 50 yuan per person.
📝 Practical Guide: Worry-free Park Visit
🎫 Ticket Information
• Basic ticket: 50 yuan (includes shuttle), train ride 20 yuan one-way, hot spring package 128 yuan (includes admission + hot spring + light meal)
• Hidden benefits: Free admission for children under 1.4m and seniors over 70, half-price for student ID holders, free for photography association members.
🚶 Classic Routes
1. Morning: Metasequoia Corridor (aerial photos) → Skywalk (low-angle shots) → Forest Station (tea break)
2. Afternoon: Forest Train (forest crossing) → Forest Eye (panoramic shots) → Hot Springs → Night Firefly Valley tour
⏰ Best Seasons
• Red Sequoia Season: Late November to mid-December, when sequoias turn vibrant red
• Firefly Season: June-July nights, when fireflies light up the fairytale forest
🚗 Transportation Guide: Best Routes
• Self-driving: Navigate to "Huanghai Forest Park," take Yanjing Highway to G228, about 3 hours from Shanghai/Nanjing, free parking.
• High-speed rail + bus: Take Bus 16 from Dongtai Station (30 minutes) or taxi (20 minutes, about 30 yuan).
🏡 Nearby Accommodation: Forest Retreat Options
• Nest Cabins: 5-minute walk to park, panoramic stargazing dome rooms with deer-viewing windows, 698 yuan/night including breakfast and hot spring tickets.
• Forest Hidden Resort: 8-minute drive from park, Japanese-style hot spring inn with private forest bathing pools, 180 yuan/person/night for private nature experience.
📸 In-depth Experience Tips
• Forest Photography: Rent hanfu/forest-style outfits at entrance (50 yuan/set) for unique photos on glass walkway and red sequoia tunnel.
• Nature Class: Join "Little Forest Ranger" activities, make plant specimens, learn about wetland conservation (advance booking required).
From the legendary mount of Jiang Ziya in "Creation of the Gods" to today's ecological miracle, Huanghai Forest Park has transformed barren beach into an oasis over 750 years, making every breath a whispered conversation with nature. 🌲