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{{Short description|Scenic and historic site in Hunan Province, China}}
{{About|the historic site|the district|Wulingyuan District}}
{{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
| image         = Zhangjiajie-Hunan.jpg
| image_upright = 1.2
| caption       = The sandstone pillars of Wulingyuan extend hundreds of meters over the valley floor
| official_name = Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area
| location      = [[Wulingyuan District]], [[Zhangjiajie]], [[Hunan]], China
| criteria      = {{UNESCO WHS type|(vii)}}(vii)
| ID            = 640
| coordinates   = {{coord|29|20|N|110|30|E|type:landmark_region:CN-43|format=dms|display= inline, title}}
| year          = 1992
| area          = {{convert|26,400|ha|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| buffer_zone   = 
| locmapin      = China Hunan#China
| map_caption   = 
}}
{{Infobox Chinese
| pic = Wulingyuan (Chinese characters).svg
| piccap = "Wulingyuan" in Chinese characters
| picsize = 125px
| c = 武陵源
| p = Wǔlíngyuán
| w = Wu<sup>3</sup>-ling<sup>2</sup>-yüan<sup>2</sup>
| mi = {{IPAc-cmn|wu|3|.|l|ing|2|.|yuan|2}}
| j = Mou5-ling4-jyun
| y = Móuh-lìhng-yùhn
| tl = Bú-lîng-guân
}}

'''Wulingyuan''' ({{IPAc-cmn|wu|3|.|l|ing|2|.|yuan|2}}, {{lang-zh|c=武陵源}}) is a scenic and historical site in the [[Wulingyuan District]] of [[South Central China]]'s [[Hunan|Hunan Province]]. It was inscribed as a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]] in 1992.<ref name=unesco-wulingyuan /> It is noted for more than 3,000 [[quartzite]] [[sandstone]] pillars and peaks across most of the site, many over {{Convert|200|m|ft}} in height, along with many ravines and gorges with picturesque streams, pools, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.<ref name=unesco-wulingyuan /> It features 40 caves, many with large calcite deposits and a natural bridge named Tianqiashengkong (meaning 'bridge across the sky'),<ref name=unesco-wulingyuan>{{cite web|title=Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area|work = Unesco World Heritage Centre|publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/640|access-date = 16 December 2013}}</ref> which is one of the highest natural bridges in the world. The site also provides habitat for many vulnerable species, including the [[dhole]], [[Asiatic black bear]], and [[Chinese water deer]].<ref name=unesco-wulingyuan /> 

The site is situated in [[Zhangjiajie|Zhangjiajie City]] and lies about {{Convert|270|km|mi}} to the northwest of [[Changsha]], the capital of Hunan Province. The park covers an area of 690 square kilometers (266 square miles).<ref name=":0" /> Wulingyuan forms part of the [[Wuling Mountains|Wuling Mountain Range]]. The scenic area consists of four national parks, which are the [[Zhangjiajie National Forest Park]], Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve, and the recently added Yangjiajie Scenic Area. Overall there are over 560 attraction sights to view.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hunan/zhangjiajie/wulingyuan.htm|title=Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Area|website=Travel China Guide}}</ref>

== Geology ==
The quartzite sandstone pillars and the surrounding regions were formed during the [[Devonian]] period (400 to 350 million years ago) from a combination of tectonic uplift and water erosion.<ref>{{cite book |last= Huadong |first= Guo |date= 2013 |title= Atlas of Remote Sensing for World Heritage: China |publisher= Springer |page= 269 |isbn= 978-3-642-32823-7}}</ref>
The highest area in the park is Huang Shi Zhai ({{lang|zh-Hant|黃石寨}}). It reaches a height of {{convert|3450|ft|m}} and is accessible via cable car or a set of stairs. Another cliff is accessed by the {{convert|326|m|abbr=on}}  [[Bailong Elevator]].
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== Main scenic spots ==
'''Zhangjiajie National Forest Park'''
Zhangjiajie, also known as Qingyan Mountain, covers an area of 130 square kilometers and was the first location to be designated a national forest park in China. It is known for its peculiar landforms with many towering stone peaks with evocative shapes and luxuriant covering of trees. It is said that over 97 percent of the park is blanketed by various kinds of rare trees and other plants. 

'''Yellow Stone Stronghold'''
Among all the scenic spots in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Yellow Stone Stronghold is the most famous. The peak of the stronghold towers into the sky, forming a magnificent vista. There is a saying which roughly translates as "if you don't go to Yellow Stone Stronghold, you will go to Zhangjiajie in vain". Located in the central part of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, it has an altitude of 1080 meters and spans an area of 16.5 hectares. In addition, it is considered to be the most beautiful viewing platform in Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area.

'''Golden Whip Stream'''
Another beautiful scenic area in the forest park is the Golden Whip Stream. It was one of the earliest scenic spots in the park to be developed, and has a total length of 7,500 meters. The most beautiful scenery in Wulingyuan is along this stream. The entrance of the stream is  only 300 meters from the entrance of Zhangjiajie Forest Park. It exemplifies the delicacy and natural beauty of Wulingyuan's landscape. Mr. Wu Guanzhong, a famous Chinese painter, described it as a "fairy tale world".
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== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:1 zhangjiajie huangshizhai wulingyuan panorama 2012.jpg|Panorama of the Five Fingers Peak of Huangshizhai
File:ZhangJiaJie River 1.jpg|Zhangjiajie River
File:湖南-张家界-武陵源 - panoramio.jpg|Wulingyuan park entrance
</gallery>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commonscat}}
*[http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/07/15/travel/15wuling.html China’s Ancient Skyline]

{{Hunan topics}}
{{National parks of China}}
{{World Heritage Sites in China}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:National parks of China]]
[[Category:Parks in Hunan]]
[[Category:Quartzite formations]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Zhangjiajie]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in China]]
[[Category:AAAAA-rated tourist attractions]]
{{Hunan-geo-stub}}