Shangyue Golden Camellia Nature Reserve

Shangyue Golden Camellia Nature Reserve

Shangyue Golden Camellia Nature Reserve is located in Fangchenggang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, covering an area of 9,156 hectares. Established as an autonomous region (provincial) level nature reserve in 1986, it was promoted to a national-level reserve in 1994. It is the only nature reserve in China named after the golden camellia, primarily aimed at protecting the golden camellia and its ecological environment.

The golden camellia is the only species in the camellia family with golden-yellow petals. It was first discovered in 1960 by botanists in the Shiwandashan Mountains of Guangxi, China, and was named “golden camellia” in 1965 by the renowned Chinese botanist Professor Hu Xiansu. Since then, this rare plant bearing golden camellias has gained worldwide fame, stunning the international floral community. With its golden petals and jade-like stamens, waxy golden hue, crystal-clear gloss, and vibrant beauty, the golden camellia stands gracefully amid lush green leaves and delicate branches—exuding charm, elegance, and breathtaking splendor. Its ornamental value is unparalleled, earning it the titles “Queen of the Tea Family” and the “Superstar of Flowers.” Due to its extremely high nutritional value and ancient rarity, it is also hailed as the “Oriental Magic Tea” and the “Panda of the Plant Kingdom.”

Shangyue Golden Camellia Nature Reserve is situated on the Lan Mountain branch of the Shiwandashan Mountain range, featuring a tropical monsoon climate and tropical monsoon rainforest vegetation. The reserve is home to three species and one variety of golden camellia, totaling over 350,000 plants—accounting for more than 90% of the world’s wild golden camellia population. The community ecosystem here remains intact, making it a rarity on a global scale. In addition, the area also hosts 19 species of nationally protected plants, such as Alsophila spinulosa (tree fern), and six species of nationally protected animals, including the pangolin, offering significant conservation value.