Jiuwanshan

Jiuwanshan

Jiuwanshan is a national nature reserve.

Jiuwanshan is located in northern Guangxi and southern Guizhou, with its core area situated around Sanfang Town and Wangdong Township in Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, Guangxi. The mountain range features continuous peaks, covering a total area of approximately 1,204 square kilometers. The region exposes a large expanse of Precambrian pre-Sinian strata, making it one of the oldest geological formations in Guangxi. On August 1, 2007, Jiuwanshan was approved by the State Council as a national nature reserve.

Due to minimal impact from the Quaternary glaciation and relatively low levels of human disturbance, the mountains preserve many ancient and relict plant species, as well as a wealth of plant and animal fossils. To a great extent, they reflect the pristine natural state of the forests in northern Guangxi. The area is home to 3,332 species of higher plants across 1,237 genera and 303 families, accounting for about 45% of all higher plant species in Guangxi.

The primeval forest coverage in Jiuwanshan exceeds 98%. It also hosts dozens of genera of higher plants such as rhododendrons, magnolia, wild peony, and lilies. There are over 80 species of wild orchids alone, including 11 rare and precious varieties such as the fragrant michelia. The biodiversity here is second only to that of Xishuangbanna, making it China’s second-largest gene bank. Ancient plant species such as the Angiopteris and Huperzia still thrive abundantly in the mountains. The nationally protected first-class plant Alsophila spinulosa, a living fossil from the age of dinosaurs, stands gracefully along streams and can be frequently spotted.

Over the long course of geological movements, Jiuwanshan has formed a landform structure that is high in the northwest and low in the southeast. The region features 14 peaks over 1,500 meters above sea level, with the highest being Laoshan Peak at 1,683 meters and the lowest point being the Rongshui River estuary village at 170 meters. This creates steep mountain ridges, deep valleys, and highly varied terrain.

The topography gives rise to a landscape crisscrossed with streams and gurgling springs throughout Jiuwanshan. Water sources radiate outward in a star-like pattern across the region, forming three major valleys that converge into four rivers: the Beijiang, Zhongzhou, Yangjiang, and Dongxiao rivers. These eventually flow into the Liujiang River and then into the Pearl River, leading to the sea. Countless deep pools reveal clear waters, with visible gravel, schools of small fish swimming from the rocks, and aquatic plants. Streams gather in the valleys, creating many spectacular waterfalls in Jiuwanshan.

Jiuwanshan is also a paradise for wildlife. According to statistics, the area is home to animals from 26 orders and 56 families across five classes: fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. There are dozens of forest-dwelling species, over 30 types of rare amphibians and reptiles, and more than 50 bird species. Among the many wild animals, those under national first-class protection include the South China tiger, clouded leopard, stump-tailed macaque, giant salamander, and Lady Amherst’s pheasant. Those under national second-class protection include the rhesus monkey, serow, large Indian civet, small Indian civet, and Lady Amherst’s pheasant. Except for the South China tiger, which has not been sighted, many other rare species have been found in Jiuwanshan. Animals such as black bears and monkeys are frequently seen in the forests, and there have even been reports of them attacking humans.

Jiuwanshan exhibits a relatively complete vertical zonation from the base to the summit. Additionally, due to variations in topography, climate, soil, hydrology, and seasons, the area presents a rich and diverse range of scenes: in spring, blooming mountain flowers create a warm and lush natural flower garden; in summer, dense foliage makes it an ideal summer retreat; in autumn, red leaves cover the hills and wild fruits abound, painting a scene of harvest; in winter, though cool, it remains mild, accompanied by the sounds of birds and animals, offering a unique charm.