Top Ten Autumn Colors in China, Ninth Place: Hu Zhong, Greater Khingan Range, December 15, 2010, 21:40:26, Source: Xielong Journey www.680go.com
The autumn colors written by the larches
Hu Zhong has always been known as the "heart of the forest, the peak of Xing'an," these two nicknames tell us that first, Hu Zhong is located in the core area of the Greater Khingan Range; secondly, the mountains around Hu Zhong are some of the higher peaks in the Greater Khingan Range - there, there are more than 300 high mountains with an altitude of over 1000 meters. It can be said that the Hu Zhong area is the place where the high mountains of the Greater Khingan Range are most densely concentrated. Among them, Dabai Mountain with an altitude of 1528 meters is the highest peak in the northern section of the Greater Khingan Range. The most moving autumn colors of Hu Zhong and even the entire Greater Khingan Range are gathered under the banner of Dabai Mountain.
Hu Zhong Town is a small town surrounded by mountains with a population of only more than ten thousand people. Looking around on the street, you can almost see the vast forests from any angle... The forest coverage rate in Hu Zhong is as high as 89.3%, and the main tree species is the Dahurian Larch, which accounts for about 80% of all tree species. In addition, Scots pine, spruce, birch, and willow trees are scattered among the Dahurian Larches at intervals. As the largest larch nature reserve in the country, the larches give back to Hu Zhong by writing a magnificent ode to the autumn colors of the Greater Khingan Range with their boundless golden splendor.
Larches belong to the pine family and are one of the main tree species in cold temperate and temperate forests. They are also the most cold-resistant coniferous species. During the spring and summer seasons, with the increasing strength of sunlight and rain, the needles of the larches change from light green to dark green; while with the arrival of autumn, as temperatures drop sharply, those needle-like leaves gradually turn golden yellow. At the same time, mature cones fall off the trees one after another, and they will grow into thin seedlings in the following spring.
The Greater Khingan Range is rich in rain and snow, and countless large and small rivers originate in the forests. The name Hu Zhong comes from its location in the middle reaches of the Huma River, which stretches for more than 400 kilometers originating from the hidden areas of the Greater Khingan Range.
Due to abundant groundwater, even in late autumn when snowflakes dance, the Huma River at the foot of Dabai Mountain and its numerous unnamed tributaries do not freeze. Water flows in the snow, and snow melts in the water. Amidst the falling snowflakes, the streams continue to babble melodiously, and the steam emitted by the stream condenses on the nearby larches, adding a sense of tranquility and peace to the exuberant gold. At that moment, time seems to stand still, and between heaven and earth, only the fields painted in layers of color and the endless falling snow engage in a dialogue about life and ecology.
For related travel routes, please refer to domestic tourism.