Park of ChinaOverview
| Designation | National Park of China (fifth batch) |
| Province | Shaanxi |
| Location | East of the Heyang county seat, Shaanxi |
| Rivers and lakes | Yellow River |
| Latitude, longitude | 35.2, 110.4 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Yellow River wetlands and lakes, birds, artesian springs |
| Top sights | The Maiden’s Spring |
| Wildlife | Red-crowned crane, black stork, great bustard, swan, grey heron, mandarin duck |
| Elevation | 340 m |
| Nearby cities | Heyang (Shaanxi), Tongchuan, Xi’an |
| Nearby sites | Mount Hua 82km, Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River 108km, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army 133km, Lintong Mount Li–Terracotta Army Scenic Area 136km, Mount Li and Huaqing Pool 139km Search nearby |
| Themes | Wetland, Lake, Bird, Long River, Spring |
About
The Qiachuan scenic area lies 20 km east of the Heyang county seat, Shaanxi, centred on the wetlands and lakes of the Yellow River.
Its reed beds of over 100,000 mu shelter 72 bird species, among them the red-crowned crane, black stork, great bustard, swan, grey heron and mandarin duck.
Seven artesian springs yield 730,000 m³ a day at a steady 32 °C, rich in selenium, copper and strontium. The most famous is the Maiden’s Spring, where local girls are said to have bathed before their weddings; the Xiayang spring, the largest, was once used for irrigation. The area also has loess peak-forest landforms.
It is in the fifth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2004.
Travel tips
Getting there: the nearest large city is Xi'an. Intercity trains run from Xi'an North to Heyang North, about an hour and a half to two hours; coaches also run to Heyang. From the county town the area is about 20 km by bus or taxi.
Layout: the main feature is wetland lakes on the Yellow River flats, with large reed beds, seven artesian springs, and loess pillar landforms along the shore.
How to visit: boats go through the reeds, boardwalks give views of waterbirds, and you can see the water welling up at the springs.
The springs: seven springs rise from the ground, their water staying near 32 degrees Celsius all year; Chunu Spring (Maiden Spring) is the best known.
Time: half a day to a day.
Season: the reeds are green from late spring to early autumn. Migratory birds are most numerous in autumn and winter, but winter is cold and the reeds turn yellow.
Where to stay: farm guesthouses near the area, and more choice in Heyang town.
Nearby: the Hukou Waterfall on the Yellow River and the Sima Qian shrine are not far, and Huashan lies in Weinan.
Caution: mosquitoes are common in the wetland in summer, so bring repellent.
Nearby
| World Heritage | Shihao Section of Xiaohan Ancient Route 116km, Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army 133km, Daming Palace 162km, Hangu Pass 171km |
| National parks | Wulao Peak 44km, Mount Hua 82km, Hukou Waterfall of the Yellow River 108km, Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor 109km |
| AAAAA attractions | Yunqiushan Scenic Area 87km, Mount Li and Huaqing Pool 139km, Longtan Grand Canyon Scenic Area 150km, Daming Palace Scenic Area 162km |
| AAAA attractions | Qiachuan 6km, Wanrong Houtu Temple Scenic Area 21km, Sima Qian Scenic Area 22km, Hancheng Museum 32km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Wangwushan-Daimeishan UNESCO Global Geopark 173km, Qinling Zhongnanshan UNESCO Global Geopark 186km |
| Historic cities | Hancheng 34km, Xinjiang County 91km |
| Historical sites | Bailiang Shousheng Temple Pagoda 15km, Daxiang Temple Pagoda 16km, Linjin County Yamen 18km, Heyang Qianjin Pagoda 21km |
| National geoparks | Yellow River Hukou Waterfall (Shaanxi) National Geopark 108km |
| Nature reserves | Taikuanhe National Nature Reserve 82km, Sangyuan National Nature Reserve 85km, Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve 135km, Lishan National Nature Reserve 137km |
| Historic towns | Yaotou Town 47km |