Daping Mountain Nature Reserve

Daping Mountain Nature Reserve

Daping Mountain Nature Reserve

Daping Mountain Nature Reserve is located in the heart of the Dateng Gorge in the northern part of Guiping City, approximately 35 kilometers from the city center. It borders Shangling Village of Nanmu Town to the east, connects with Shangtong Village of Xishan Town and the Liuchong Branch of Jintian Forest Farm to the south, adjoins the Huangmaowei Branch of Jintian Forest Farm to the west, and lies against Mushan Village of Zijingshan Town to the north. It sits at latitude 23 degrees 32 minutes

–23 degrees 34 minutes

, and between longitude 109 degrees 56 minutes –109 degrees 59 minutes, covering a total area of 18.67 square kilometers. Approved by the People's Government of Guiping County in February 1983, the reserve management office was established in June of the same year. The main conservation targets are the rare plants Alsophila spinulosa (tree fern), Cycas fairylakea, and the rare animal Shinisaurus crocodilurus, along with their forest ecological environment. The area features steep mountains, crisscrossing ravines, abundant rainfall, uniquely developed geological structures, stunning landscapes, fragrant exotic flowers and plants, rare tropical trees, and precious birds and animals. It forms one of the more intact tropical and subtropical seasonal rainforests in southeastern Guangxi, earning the nickname “Little Xishuangbanna.”

The terrain of Daping Mountain is complex and uniquely structured, with valleys mostly V-shaped, some U-shaped, and sheer cliffs with 90-degree drops visible everywhere. Looking up from the valley floor, often only a strip of blue sky can be seen. The peaks formed by stacked rocks resemble enormous layers of cake. From the mountaintops, the dense forests below appear and disappear amid the vast sea of clouds, creating ever-changing views. Due to the lush forests and abundant water sources, waterfalls are abundant in Daping Mountain. The Shantian Bridge Waterfall plunges straight down over a hundred meters with a thunderous roar, sending water droplets flying dozens of meters away — a particularly spectacular sight.