Badong Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Nature Reserve

Badong Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Nature Reserve

The Badong Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Nature Reserve is a provincial-level nature reserve.

The Hubei Badong Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Provincial Nature Reserve is primarily located within the Xiaoshennongjia area of Badong. Established in 2010 with approval from the provincial government, it is the only undeveloped pristine land in Badong. Its main protected species, the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey, is currently the population of this species found closest to the main channel of the Yangtze River.

I. Historical Background

The predecessor of the Hubei Badong Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Provincial Nature Reserve was the Badong Yuanduhe Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Nature Conservation Area, established in 2002 with approval from the provincial government. It covered an area of 3,000 hectares and was classified as a wildlife habitat and breeding nature reserve, primarily protecting the golden snub-nosed monkey. In 2010, the provincial government approved the establishment of the Hubei Shennongxi Provincial Nature Reserve, expanding the area to 20,909.99 hectares. This new reserve is categorized as a forest ecosystem-type nature reserve, aiming to protect rare wildlife and plant resources such as the golden snub-nosed monkey, leopard, forest musk deer, dove tree, Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, yew, and ginkgo, along with their habitats and well-preserved forest ecosystems.

II. Geographic Location and Boundaries

The Hubei Badong Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Provincial Nature Reserve is located in the northern part of Badong County, Hubei Province, on the eastern edge of the Daba Mountains. It lies in the transitional zone between the high mountains of western China and the lower mountains of the east, bordering the Shennongjia Forest District to the north, adjacent to Xingshan County to the east, and reaching the Pingyangba River valley to the south. The reserve is 10 km west of Wushan, Chongqing, and 15 km south of the Yangtze River, covering a total area of 20,909.99 hectares. This includes a core zone of 9,580.38 hectares, a buffer zone of 3,009.17 hectares, and an experimental zone of 8,320.44 hectares. The highest elevation in the reserve is 3,005 meters, and the lowest is 240 meters, with a forest coverage rate of 82.73%. Geographic coordinates are between 110°15′51″E to 110°29′59″E and 31°11′50″N to 31°24′40″N. The area spans 20 villages across the towns of Yuanduhe and Xiqiuwan.

III. Topography, Geomorphology, and Climate

The reserve is situated at the eastern edge of China’s second topographic step, characterized by mid-to-high mountain terrain formed by the eastern extension of the Daba Mountain Range. The mountain ranges generally run in an east-west direction, consistent with regional geological structures. The terrain is higher in the northeast and lower in the southwest, gradually descending from north to south. The area features towering, densely packed mountains, steep slopes, deep river valleys, crisscrossing canyons, sheer cliffs, and majestic peaks. The main peak of Xiaoshennongjia stands at 3,005 meters above sea level, bordering the Greater Shennongjia to the northwest and sloping down toward the Yuanduhe River to the south.

Xiaoshennongjia has a subtropical monsoon climate. Due to its high elevation, the area experiences heavy fog and humidity, with relatively balanced winter and summer seasons, and spring and autumn seasons of equal length. The alpine climate exhibits distinct vertical variations and three-dimensional diversity, showing certain regular changes with altitude.

IV. Major Natural Resources

1. Rich Biodiversity

The nature reserve boasts abundant species resources. It is home to 1,521 species of vascular plants across 754 genera and 183 families, accounting for 25.22% of Hubei Province’s vascular plant species. These include 94 species of ferns (26 families, 50 genera), 26 species of gymnosperms (6 families, 17 genera), and 1,401 species of angiosperms (151 families, 687 genera).

There are 257 species of terrestrial vertebrates in the reserve, making up 29.96% of Hubei Province’s total. This includes 57 mammal species (22 families, 7 orders), 167 bird species (43 families, 14 orders), 23 reptile species (9 families, 2 orders), and 10 amphibian species (5 families, 2 orders), representing 57.00%, 74.63%, 39.65%, and 21.74% of Hubei Province’s respective totals.

2. Numerous Rare and Endangered Species

The reserve serves as a sanctuary for many nationally protected wild species. It is home to 3 species of Class I nationally protected plants, 18 species of Class II nationally protected plants, 33 species of nationally rare and endangered plants (including 3 Class I, 10 Class II, and 20 Class III), 3 Class I nationally protected animals, and 42 Class II nationally protected animals.

The golden snub-nosed monkey is endemic to China and rare in number. The reserve is one of its key habitats. Recent surveys indicate that there are 600–800 individuals in the area, with both their range and population showing gradual growth, making them highly valuable for conservation.

V. Major Tourism Resources

The Shennongxi Nature Reserve offers rich tourism resources, with picturesque landscapes, abundant biodiversity, intact forest ecosystems, and typical forest vegetation—ideal for those seeking to explore nature, connect with the environment, and return to simplicity.

Mysterious Primeval Forests: The reserve contains large areas of primeval forests dominated by coniferous and mixed coniferous-broadleaf forests. Towering trees with lush canopies block out much of the sunlight. Mighty trees are entwined with vines, while gnarled roots sprawl across the ground, fallen trunks lie scattered, and thick moss covers the forest floor. Trees in these forests often exceed 30 meters in height, with trunk diameters over 30 cm. The forest floor is thick with fallen branches and leaves, and decaying trunks are scattered throughout. The diverse wildlife and fresh, colorful air enhance the forest's charm.

Vast Arrow Bamboo Groves: Arrow bamboo is unique to China, and the reserve hosts bamboo groves on high-altitude ridges. From a distance, these forests undulate like rolling waves. Up close, the slender bamboos stand closely together, forming walls or formations. When the wind blows, the rustling sound of bamboo leaves fills the air.

Azalea Forests: Azaleas thrive throughout the mountains and cliffs of Shennongxi. These shrubs, which can grow up to 2–4 meters tall, come in a variety of colors including red, yellow, purple, and white. Growing alongside fir trees and bordering bamboo forests, they add vibrant splashes of color to the vast forested landscape. From April to June, blooming azaleas transform the reserve into a floral ocean.

Vines: Walking through the Shennongxi Nature Reserve, vines are found everywhere—in forests, on cliffs, in valleys, and along cliffs, climbing, wrapping, hanging, and twisting in various forms. In the primeval forests, it’s common to see vines snaking from the base of trees all the way up to the canopy, resembling pythons or snakes.

Rare Wildlife and Plants: The Xiaoshennongjia eco-tourism area sits in the transitional zone between the North Subtropical and Warm Temperate zones, where plant floras converge—especially the China–Japan and China–Himalayan floras. The area features diverse vegetation types and clear vertical distribution patterns. With its sparse human population and vast land, the region retains largely intact primitive vegetation. The area hosts Class I protected species like the dove tree and yew, and Class II protected species like the big-fruited yew, Picea neoveitchii, Torreya fargesii, and Cercidiphyllum japonicum. It also contains Hubei Province–protected species such as Euptelea pleiosperma, Liriodendron chinense, Picea brachytyla, and Acer paxii, as well as valuable medicinal plants like Paris polyphylla and Trillium tschonoskii.

The area lies in the transitional zone between China’s northern and southern climates and biomes, featuring both climatic influences and prominent microclimates. Its unique geography and climate have provided refuge for ancient and modern animal species from different regions, allowing them to thrive here. This has made it a precious natural museum. Native species like the golden snub-nosed monkey and living fossils such as the Chinese giant salamander can be found here. The golden snub-nosed monkey, endemic to China, is listed as a Class I protected animal due to its limited distribution and small population. The Chinese giant salamander, the world’s largest amphibian, is also a Class II protected animal. Together, they contribute to the rich biodiversity of the Xiaoshennongjia eco-tourism area. This diverse flora and fauna ecosystem holds significant scientific value for research, ecological benefits, and species protection, and plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation in the Three Gorges Reservoir area.

Streamside Rocks: Due to the rugged terrain and numerous streams in the Xiaoshennongjia eco-tourism area, visitors can find many creeks and waterfalls, such as the Wagang Stream, Yaoping Waterfall, and Zuan Donggou Waterfall. The source of Wagang Stream is a large, round cave with a smooth, flat opening resembling a traditional clay pot—hence its name. The Yaoping Waterfall has a “Y” shape, is about 8 meters high and 2 meters wide. The Zuan Donggou Waterfall is one of the larger ones in the region, with a pool of around 50 square meters at its base. From afar, it looks like a white silk ribbon; up close, it splashes refreshingly into the pool. Though the rivers and waterfalls here are not as grand as major rivers, they embody the delicate charm of Xiaoshennongjia.

Additionally, the reserve features large areas of karst landforms, with stone pillars, cliffs, steep walls, and uniquely shaped rocks. These karst formations, combined with alpine meadows and forests, add a touch of beauty and hold considerable aesthetic value.