Larch Forest Scenic Area

Larch Forest Scenic Area

The Xing'an larch forest in the northern part of China's Greater Khingan Mountains is part of the boreal coniferous forests of Eurasia, representing the southern extension of the deciduous coniferous forests of southern Siberia along the mountain ranges. The Greater Khingan Mountains have an elevation of about 600–1,000 meters, with some peaks approaching 1,400 meters. The annual average temperature is between -1.2°C and -5°C, the July average temperature is 16–20°C, the total accumulated temperature (the sum of days with a daily mean temperature above 10°C) is 1,100–1,700°C, the frost-free period lasts 70–100 days, and the annual precipitation is 400–600 millimeters.

Due to the low growth temperature and relatively high air humidity, the vegetation here shows distinct vertical zonation. Below 600 meters in elevation, the valleys feature Xing'an larch forests mixed with Mongolian oak. Other tree species include black birch, mountain poplar, purple linden, Manchurian ash, and amur corktree. Understory shrubs include Lespedeza bicolor, hazel, and downy hazel. From 600 to 1,000 meters in elevation, there are rhododendron–Xing'an larch forests, with some areas of Scots pine forests. Understory shrubs include Xing'an rhododendron, ledum, bilberry, and blueberry. From 1,100 to 1,350 meters, there are moss–Xing'an larch forests, with small numbers of trees such as Korean spruce and mountain birch. The understory features well-developed moss layers, mainly including Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, and Hylocomium schreberi. Black tree moss grows on tree trunks, but there is no usnea. Above 1,350 meters at the mountaintops, there are creeping dwarf forests of Siberian dwarf pine, along with birch species and bilberry, all of which have adapted to alpine conditions.

The Xing'an larch possesses a character that is cold-resistant and snow-enduring. Much like the people living deep within the dense forests of the Greater Khingan Mountains, whether in the bitter cold of winter, during violent storms, or under heavy snowfall, they survive, cultivate, and silently contribute to the prosperity of this land. This is the quality of the Xing'an larch, this is the character of the Xing'an larch.

Transportation Guide

Scenic Area Address: Northern Greater Khingan Mountains, Heilongjiang Province