Nihewan National Nature Reserve in Hebei Province

Nihewan National Nature Reserve in Hebei Province

Nihewan National Nature Reserve is a national-level nature reserve and a science education base.

Nihewan National Nature Reserve in Hebei Province is located within the territories of Yangyuan County and Yu County, covering an actual protected area of 1,015 hectares between 113°45′–114°45′ east longitude and 40°00′–40°20′ north latitude. It is divided into four sub-areas: Xiashagou, Haojiatai, Hongya, and Dongyaozitou.

The reserve contains internationally recognized Quaternary standard stratigraphic sections, ancient mammal fossils, and numerous relics and sites symbolizing the eastern origin of humankind and the starting point of Chinese civilization. As such, it serves as a natural geological museum for studying the late Tertiary and Quaternary strata, paleontology, ancient humans, paleoenvironments, paleogeography, and neotectonic movements in China.

The reserve has established a management station and a multi-functional exhibition hall, and has published popular science books such as "The Mysterious Nihewan" and "The Nihewan Rift Valley and Ancient Humans." It has also built long-term connections with local primary and secondary schools, organizing timely science outreach activities including Quaternary field geological observation, specimen collection, and geoscience summer camps. In October 2006, the reserve management office was awarded the title of "National Advanced Collective in Nature Reserve Management," and in June 2011, the reserve received direct designation as a popular science base by the Ministry of Land and Resources.