Jingxi Diding Provincial Nature Reserve

Jingxi Diding Provincial Nature Reserve

Jingxi Diding Provincial Nature Reserve is situated at the junction of Jingxi and Napo counties (cities) in the southwestern part of Guangxi. It lies 70 kilometers from downtown Jingxi and 40 kilometers from Pingmeng Town, Napo County, a national second-class port. The Jingxi–Pingmeng highway runs through the reserve. Covering a total area of 43,000 mu, more than 12,000 mu of the core zone is covered by subtropical primeval forest. It is part of the state-owned forest region and functions as a local government-subsidized forestry institution. The reserve currently has 12 full-time management staff and 2 police officers from its police station. The area features ancient geological origins, complex terrain and landforms, unique climate and hydrology, distinct local characteristics, dense and lush forests, spectacular natural landscapes, and rich ethnic culture. Over the years, it has attracted numerous domestic and international scholars and academic groups for mountaineering and research expeditions. Research has confirmed that the reserve is home to over 1,800 plant species, including more than 60 types of nationally protected wildlife and plants under first and second-class state protection, such as clouded leopards, pythons, macaques, Alsophila spinulosa (tree ferns), and Magnolia henryi. Among them, the Alsophila spinulosa tree fern—hailed as a “living fossil” from the dinosaur era—boasts five national superlatives: the highest growth density (296 plants per mu), the tallest individual plant (10.9 meters), the most uniquely shaped specimen (with four forks), the largest population (over 60,000 plants), and the highest elevation of distribution (1,300 meters). This makes it a rare and truly remarkable “Kingdom of Tree Ferns” in China. Experts unanimously agree that the inland region of southwestern China—from Xishuangbanna to the Beilun River estuary—is one of the world’s most biodiverse geographic zones exhibiting three unique phenomena. Diding Nature Reserve is located in the central part of this critical zone, representing the first step of the southern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It serves as an irreplaceable, relict, and typical example unlike any other area.

The reserve boasts abundant flora and fauna, unique natural landscapes, and the breathtaking “Kingdom of Tree Ferns.” It is an ideal destination offering multifunctional and comprehensive experiences such as scientific research, mountaineering and exploration, leisure vacations, science education, and teaching fieldwork. The development potential is vast, with wide-ranging social, economic, and ecological benefits, making its significance both important and far-reaching.