Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain

Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain

Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain is a national forest park and a national nature reserve.

The Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain National Nature Reserve in Hunan Province is situated in the southwestern part of Dong'an County, neighboring Quanzhou County of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to the south, bordering Xinning County to the west and north, and connecting to Damiaokou Town of the same county to the east. Its geographical coordinates are: 110°59′45″–111°8′16″ east longitude and 26°19′30″–26°37′33″ north latitude, stretching 33.08 km from north to south and 14.29 km from east to west. The reserve covers a total area of 13,139.9 hectares, including a core zone of 5,032.8 hectares, a buffer zone of 3,797.3 hectares, and an experimental zone of 4,309.8 hectares. Its primary conservation targets are the subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest ecosystem and rare species such as the resource fir, Davidia involucrata, southern yew, Pinus kwangtungensis, musk deer, yellow-bellied tragopan, and various orchids.

u History

In November 1956, the Damiaokou Forest Management Office of Dong'an County was established.

In February 1958, it was renamed the State-owned Dong'an Damiaokou Forest Farm.

On April 3, 1982, with the approval of Document No. 20 [1982] issued by the People's Government of Hunan Province, the Dong'an County Shunhuang Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve was established.

On September 19, 1984, the Dong'an County Shunhuang Mountain Nature Reserve Management Office was set up.

In September 1992, with the approval of Document No. 154 [1992] from the former Ministry of Forestry, the Hunan Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain National Forest Park was established, covering an area of 14,548.6 hectares.

In August 1994, with the approval of Document No. 05 [1994] from the former Lingling Prefecture Committee, the Hunan Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain National Forest Park Administration was established as a sub-prefectural institution.

On June 4, 2013, with the approval of the State Council’s “Notice on the List of 21 Newly Established National Nature Reserves Including Liaoning Dahei Mountain” (State Council Document No. 48 [2013]), the Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain National Nature Reserve was established.

On January 26, 2015, with the approval of Document No. 1 [2015] from the Hunan Provincial Institutional Compilation Committee and Document No. 3 [2015] from the Yongzhou Municipal Institutional Compilation Committee, the Hunan Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration was established as a sub-prefectural institution.

u Flora and Fauna Resources

The reserve extends from Shunhuang Mountain in the south, rises at Jinjiling in the middle, and reaches Ziyun Mountain and Gaogua Mountain in the north. The four mountains echo each other with overlapping peaks and undulating ridges. The highest peak is Shunhuang Mountain at 1,882.4 m, with 19 peaks over 1,500 m and 65 peaks over 1,000 m. The area experiences minimal human disturbance, and its ecosystem remains largely in its pristine state, boasting abundant wildlife resources. According to comprehensive scientific surveys conducted in 2006 and 2010: the area hosts 301 species of wild vertebrates across 32 orders, 88 families, including 35 species under national key protection—four Class I protected species (musk deer, clouded leopard, yellow-bellied tragopan, and white-necked long-tailed pheasant) and 31 Class II protected species (such as Tibetan macaque, pangolin, otter, and spotted linsang). Among the 301 vertebrate species, 42 are listed in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and 188 are included in China’s “Three-Lists” of terrestrial wildlife with significant ecological, scientific, or economic value. A total of 1120 insect species from 606 genera, 124 families, and 19 orders have been officially named, including three Class II protected insects: Cheirotonus jansoni, Carabus lafossei, and Carabus davidis. There are 324 butterfly species from 153 genera and 11 families, among which five new species were first discovered in Shunhuang Mountain, and eight additional insect species await formal publication.

The reserve belongs to the Central China Flora region, with ancient plant origins, complex flora components, and rich biodiversity. It contains 2,415 species (including varieties) of vascular plants from 227 families and 970 genera—510 fern species from 45 families and 118 genera, and 1,905 seed plant species from 182 families and 852 genera. Excluding 156 introduced or naturalized species, there are 2,259 native wild vascular plant species. Thirty-nine species are under national key protection, plus all 42 orchid species, totaling 80 protected plants (with gastrodia already listed). This includes five Class I protected species: resource fir, southern yew, stewartia sinensis, ginkgo, and primulina tabacum; and 20 Class II protected species such as alsophila spinulosa, Pinus kwangtungensis, cephalotaxus oliveri, and torreya grandis. Fourteen plant species are listed in China’s Plant Red Data Book. Additionally, there are 482 species of macrofungi from 148 genera and 52 families.

u Conservation Value

Shunhuang Mountain lies within the Nanling Mountain Range, a globally significant region for terrestrial biodiversity. It is the source of the Zishui River, a primary tributary of the Xiangjiang River—the mother river of Hunan—and an important water conservation area. The mountain features a typical mid-subtropical secondary forest ecosystem with exceptional biodiversity, earning the title “Gene Pool of Species.” The area around Jinjiling, Longwangdian, and Matoushan hosts natural stands of Pinus kwangtungensis, holding significant scientific research value. The resource fir community on the main peak of Shunhuang Mountain is crucial for studies on population conservation, minimum viable populations, and population ecology. Primulina tabacum has its largest known population here, while Bulbophyllum pendulum var. maculatum is found at its second mainland distribution site. The reserve also has a longstanding tradition of protecting wild plants, effectively safeguarding its natural resources and environment. It is home to 20,000+ ancient and notable trees of 55 species, including the widest trunk diameters in Hunan for choerospondias axillaris, tetracentron sinense, torreya grandis, and hickory, with southern yew ranking second.

u Scientific Research Collaboration

Since the 1980s, numerous domestic and international universities and research institutions have conducted teaching and scientific studies in the reserve, including Hunan Normal University, Hunan University of Science and Technology (formerly Xiangtan Normal College), the USDA Southeastern Fruit and Tree Nut Research Laboratory, Central South University of Forestry and Technology (formerly Central South Forestry College), the University of Kansas Natural History Museum, the Royal Ontario Museum, Guangxi Normal University, Nankai University, Central South University, Beijing Forestry University, Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Kunming Institute of Botany, and Dong'an No.1 High School. Extensive research cooperation has fostered a growing number of scientific conservation professionals and enhanced the reserve’s global reputation. Over 40 academic papers on the reserve’s natural resources and conservation management have been published, along with the monograph “Comprehensive Survey Report Collection of the Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain Nature Reserve in Hunan” and the “Research Paper Collection of the Dong'an Shunhuang Mountain Nature Reserve in Hunan,” fully leveraging the reserve’s integrated functions in species conservation, scientific research, and talent cultivation.

u Cultural and Natural Landscapes

Shunhuang Mountain is a historically renowned peak, originally called Hongyun Mountain. According to Records of the Grand Historian: “The ancient Emperor Shun toured the south and stayed at Hongyun Mountain, where he passed away in the wilderness of Cangwu.” Later generations renamed it Shunhuang Mountain in his honor. Ancient poets praised it as “the foremost peak naturally bestowed upon southern Hunan.” It is not only one of the birthplaces of Shun culture in the Chinese nation but also one of the seventy-two blessed mountains of ancient Taoist Fengshan rites. Renowned for its “beautiful waters, peculiar rocks, rare treasures, and pristine wilderness,” it is celebrated across Hunan, Guangdong, and Guangxi as a “heavenly paradise and natural oxygen bar.” The area’s mountains, waters, rocks, and forests form breathtaking landscapes, with cliffs, springs, trees, and vines creating natural charm. There are 108 forest scenic spots and rich tourism resources. In August 1934, the Red Sixth Army Corps—about 9,300 soldiers and the vanguard of the Long March—crossed Shunhuang Mountain, commonly known as “Laoshanjie,” leaving behind many moving stories. The revolutionary memoir “Laoshanjie” by proletarian revolutionary Lu Dingyi confirms that the real Laoshanjie is Shunhuang Mountain. As a result, the “Hunan Red Tourism Development Plan Outline” lists Shunhuang Mountain as one of the province’s thirty key red tourism sites.

u Ecotourism

With picturesque scenery, distinct seasons, and a mild climate (average annual temperature of 17.3°C) and 98,000 negative ions per cm³, Shunhuang Mountain is an ideal destination for sightseeing, leisure, vacationing, and summer adventure. Since its establishment, the reserve has developed attractions such as Yangjiangyuan, Laoshanjie, and Shunhuangyan, as well as premium tourist routes like Nüyingxi and Ehuangxi, and activities like Yangjiang River rafting and retracing the Long March. Infrastructure continues to improve, hosting 100,000 visitors annually. In recent years, themed around “red and green” culture, activities such as retracing the Red Army route, eco-friendly hiking, university fieldwork, and youth eco-camps have engaged various sectors, providing rich ecological education for students and the public.

u Transportation

The reserve is 29 km from Dong'an County and enjoys excellent transport links. The Xianggui and Luozhan Railways, as well as the Hengqun, Er’guang, and G207 Highways, pass near Shunhuang Mountain. Major destinations like Hengshan, Guilin, and Langshan are within a two-hour drive. Its stunning forest vistas, fresh air, and hospitable locals eagerly await nature lovers.

u Social Honors

In 2006, Shunhuangyan Scenic Area was named one of “Hunan’s Top 100 Scenic Spots Loved by the People.”

In 2007, the reserve (Shunhuang Mountain National Forest Park) was designated a “National AAA-level Tourist Attraction.”

In 2012, the Damiaokou State-owned Forest Farm (Protected Area) of Dong'an County was awarded the title of "National Advanced Collective for Outstanding Contributions to Ecological Construction" by the State Forestry Administration;

In September 2013, the protected area (Shunhuangshan National Forest Park) was honored as the "Fifth Hunan Provincial Education Base for Ecological Civilization."

Address: No. 88, Dongda Road, Damiaokou Town, Dong'an County, Hunan Province

Postal Code: 425901

Phone: 0746-4611229 (Office), 4613229 (Fax)

Email: yzshsbgs@126.com

Admission: 50 RMB