Xinyi Meihua Mountain

Xinyi Meihua Mountain

Longyan Meihua Mountain Nature Reserve

The Meihua Mountain Nature Reserve is situated in the main part of the Daiyun Mountain range, specifically on the southeastern slope of the southern section of the Wuyi Mountains and between the Daiyun Mountains, covering the bordering areas of Shanghang, Liancheng, and Xinyi counties (districts), commonly known as the "Eighteen Caves of Meihua." Here, mountains stand tall,

green seas stretch endlessly, and layered forests are lush and vibrant, gathering a wealth of precious biological resources and species. It is renowned as the "Magical Treasure Mountain" and the "Gene Bank of Flora and Fauna Resources." In 1992, the nature reserve was listed as a World Class A Nature Reserve, joined the National Man and Biosphere Reserve Network in 1993, and was included in both the China's List of Outstanding Protected Ecosystems and the Priority Protection List of Forest Ecosystems in 1994.

The Meihua Mountain Nature Reserve spans 20 kilometers from east to west and 19 kilometers from north to south, with a forest coverage rate of 89%. The core protected area covers 89,208 mu (approximately 5,947 hectares), which is rarely visited by humans and serves as an important habitat and breeding ground for South China tigers, sika deer, and pythons. The reserve boasts large areas of natural fir forests with large-diameter trees that are rare across the country. According to records in Fujian, six out of the twenty documented "King Fir Trees" are located in Meihua Mountain. Preliminary scientific surveys indicate that the reserve is home to nearly 2,000 species of vascular plants, including rare species such as Eucommia, Cunninghamia lanceolata, Machilus, Photinia, Changchang Ironwood, Pseudotaxus chienii, Semiliquidambar cathayensis, and Heritiera littoralis. There are also valuable tree species such as Cephalotaxus fortunei, Taxus chinensis, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Buxus sinica, Pterocarpus santalinus, and Southern Hemlock, along with 65 species of bamboo, a large number of precious medicinal herbs, and rare wildflowers.

The superior forest ecological environment of Meihua Mountain creates ideal conditions for the growth and reproduction of wildlife, making it a "refuge for wildlife" and a "natural zoo." The area is home to over

100 species of mammals, more than 300 species of birds, over 30 species of amphibians,

more than 60 species of reptiles, 36 species of mountain stream fish, and nearly 100 species of planktonic animals. It hosts nationally protected animals such as the South China tiger, leopard, clouded leopard,

antelope, black muntjac, yellow-bellied tragopan, white-necked long-tailed pheasant, and python. The Longyan Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government have placed high importance on the comprehensive tourism development of Meihua Mountain, establishing the Meihua Mountain Tourism Economic Comprehensive Zone. In 1998, the China Longyan Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Rescue Center was established, along with a South China Tiger Park in Chapan Cave, Bumafang, Buyun, Shanghang County. The tiger park also includes a "Snake Garden" and a "Monkey Kingdom."

The Meihua Mountain Nature Reserve boasts a uniquely advantageous geographical location and extremely rich wildlife resources. To protect the precious forest ecosystem and unique natural landscapes of Meihua Mountain, in May 1985, the People's Government of Fujian Province approved the establishment of the Western Fujian Meihua Mountain Nature Reserve. In September 1988, with the approval of the State Council, the Meihua Mountain Nature Reserve was elevated to a national-level forest and wildlife nature reserve. In February 1992, at the "Seminar on Priority Areas for Nature Conservation in China" jointly convened by the former Ministry of Forestry and the World Wide Fund for Nature, the reserve was designated as a "World Class A Nature Reserve of Global Influence and International Significance" due to being the "area with the highest number and most active South China tigers." In November 1992, at the second seminar on China's Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan, the reserve was included in the "China Priority Protected Ecosystem List" and the "Priority Protected Forest Ecosystem List" of the "Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan for the People's Republic of China," recognized for its "rich species diversity, numerous endemic species, and being a convergence zone of the Central, South, and East China floral regions within the East Asian flora." In 1993, it joined the China Man and Biosphere Reserve Network. In 1998, in accordance with the spirit of the State Forestry Administration's "Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of National Nature Reserves," the Fujian Meihua Mountain National Nature Reserve Management Office was renamed the "Fujian Meihua Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration" with the approval of the Longyan Municipal Party Committee Organization and Establishment Committee.

Within Meihua Mountain, there are layered peaks and abrupt summits, featuring unique natural landscapes. These include the several-kilometer-long Huanglianmeng Grand Cliff, high mountain waterfalls such as Xinglong Waterfall and Luosheng Waterfall, as well as the Tie Shanluo Di Panxi Village Waterfall. There are also naturally sculpted rock formations such as the Eagle Stone in Qiu Mountain, Sister Stones in Guihe, Grain Barn Stone in Mafang, Three-Layer Stone and Rice Cave in Tie Shanluo Di, and the "Golden Turtle Laying Eggs" in Dayuan Village. Additionally, there are cultural sites like the Ma Tou Shan Temple, Tomb of the Nanman King, and Li Ling Buyun Academy.

A Western Fujian folk rhyme goes: "The Eighteen Caves of Meihua, each cave eighteen li, each li eighteen hollows, each hollow eighteen golden armchairs." The "golden armchairs" refer to underground mineral resources, including discovered and developed minerals such as iron, manganese, lead, zinc, tungsten, coal, magnetite, and quartz.

Due to the unique geographical location and landform features of the Meihua Mountain Nature Reserve, the natural resources within the area exhibit remarkable biodiversity and natural landscape diversity. Scientific surveys and forest resource inventories show that the reserve is home to 1,628 species (including varieties and subspecies) of vascular plants across 184 families and 734 genera, comprising 107 species of ferns, 1,499 species of angiosperms, and 22 species of gymnosperms. There are 362 species of terrestrial vertebrates, accounting for about 1/7 of the national total, including 66 species of mammals, 198 species of birds, 69 species of reptiles, 29 species of amphibians, 65 species of fish, and over 2,000 species of insects. Among these numerous species of flora and fauna, many are ancient, rare, and endangered. Statistics show that there are 18 species of nationally protected plants, including 3 species under Class I protection—Styrax japonicus, Taxus wallichiana var. mairei, and Brasenia schreberi—and 15 species under Class II protection, such as Eucommia and Liriodendron chinense. There are also 53 species of provincially protected rare and endangered plants. Key protected animal species number 45, including 8 under Class I protection—South China tiger, leopard, sika deer, python, among others—and 37 under Class II protection, such as black bear, stump-tailed macaque, and golden cat. With its abundant species and rich resources, Meihua Mountain has been praised by experts from China and abroad as the "Green Jade on the Desert Belt" and the "Gene Bank of Flora and Fauna Resources."

Address: The main part of the Daiyun Mountain range, specifically on the southeastern slope of the southern section of the Wuyi Mountains and between the Daiyun Mountains