Huper Nature Reserve

Huper Nature Reserve

Huper Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve.

Fujian Huper National Nature Reserve is situated in Nanjing County in the western part of Zhangzhou City (38 kilometers east of Zhangzhou). The county lies on the southeastern side of the Bopingling Mountain Range, with the West River (Xi Xi) of the Jiulong River flowing through it, and enjoys a South Asian tropical maritime monsoon climate. The unique geographical and climatic conditions have given rise to the widely celebrated South Asian tropical rainforest clusters within Nanjing County, often referred to as the “Little Xishuangbanna of the South” — surrounded by green mountains, with murmuring streams, lush forests, and delightful scenery.

Fujian Huper Nature Reserve consists of four conservation zones: Huper, Letu, E’xian Cave, and Zijingshan. It covers a total area of 3,001 hectares, including a core zone of 1,410.62 hectares, a buffer zone of 819.2 hectares, and an experimental zone of 771.2 hectares. Its coordinates span from 117°12′42″ to 117°22′45″ east longitude and 24°30′05″ to 24°56′20″ north latitude. The elevation within the reserve ranges from 137 to 874.5 meters, with the terrain sloping noticeably from northwest to southeast.

The reserve is composed of four zones and involves 13 autonomous villages across four towns in Nanjing County: Shancheng Town, Nanjing Town, Hexi Town, and Jinshan Town. With a forest coverage rate of 87.6%, it falls within the South Asian tropical maritime monsoon climate zone and exhibits typical characteristics of a South Asian tropical rainforest.

The reserve is home to 1,759 species of vascular plants. Among them, there are three species under national first-class protection: the southern yew, ginkgo, and Bretschneidera sinensis; and 27 species under national second-class protection, including camphor tree, Alsophila spinulosa, ornamental peachwood, and Amentotaxus argotaenia. The area boasts abundant orchid resources, with 47 species such as Cymbidium ensifolium, Cymbidium kanran, Cymbidium goeringii, and Cymbidium sinense. Many orchid varieties, mutants, and forms have been introduced to various parts of the world, making it the largest orchid distribution hub south of the Yangtze River in China. There are 725 species of wild animals. Species under national first-class protection include the South China tiger, clouded leopard, black muntjac, yellow-bellied tragopan, python, and Chinese softshell turtle — six in total. Those under national second-class protection include 31 species such as the Asiatic black bear, giant salamander, mandarin duck, and Chinese egret.

Fujian Huper National Nature Reserve is the only well-preserved original forest community with rainforest characteristics in southeastern Fujian. It serves as a natural green gene bank and an ideal habitat for various forms of life. It is particularly precious in the low-latitude, low-altitude, densely populated, and economically developed regions along the southeast coast. The reserve features a rich combination of natural and cultural landscapes, holding great potential for scientific research, education, and eco-tourism. Today, it welcomes visitors from all over the world with a brand-new look and open arms.