Mao'er Mountain Natural Reserve (4A)

Mao'er Mountain Natural Reserve [Photo/gxnews.com.cn]

Mao'er Mountain Natural Reserve is located in northeast Guilin in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region with a total coverage of 17,008.5 hectares. It is situated at the junction of Xing'an county, Ziyuan county, and Longsheng county of Guilin, which is in the tourism center of northern Guangxi.

The natural reserve targets the conservation of a primary subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest ecosystem, nationally protected flora and fauna species, as well as a water conservation forest at the source of the Li River. Mao'er Mountain, the highest peak in South China, is 2,141.5 meters above sea level.

Mao'er Mountain is abundant with dense forest vegetation, with a developed surface water system and high water conservation capacity. It is one of the most well-preserved areas in the world's most subtropical mountainous evergreen deciduous broad-leaved mixed forest and is listed on the 14 key areas of terrestrial biodiversity of international significance and 16 biodiversity hotspots in China.

Due to the impact of topography, the reserve boasts diverse vegetation types, a completely developed vertical belt, profuse forest landscapes, and various rare species. The reserve now has 2,484 species of higher plants and 345 species of vertebrates, including 71 species of mammals, 145 species of birds, and 39 species of reptiles. In addition, the reserve is also a good breeding ground for precious animals.

The unique flora and fauna community in the subtropical high-altitude mountains of Mao'er Mountain Natural Reserve is not only a natural water source forest, but also a valuable scientific research site and a wild resource utilization base.