Yaoluoping

　　The Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve is situated in Baojia Township, 50 kilometers west of Yuexi County. It is a model national nature reserve established to protect biodiversity in the Dabie Mountains, conserve water sources for the Huai River, and implement sustainable development strategies. Located at the main peak of the Dabie Mountains, the area boasts exceptionally rich ecological environments, often referred to as a "natural species gene bank." The natural scenery is stunning, with over 60 peaks exceeding 1,000 meters in elevation, including Tuojian and Duozhijian, which rise to 1,750 meters, making them the second and third highest peaks of the Dabie Mountains respectively. The area features ever-changing weather, majestic landscapes, sea of clouds, and misty vistas that are both beautiful and spectacular.

　　The reserve consists of primeval forests and secondary forests, home to numerous rare and precious plants and animals under national protection, such as the musk deer, giant salamander, Chinese giant salamander, Dabie Mountain five-needle pine, fragrant fruit tree, and Duozhi azalea. These resources hold significant conservation value. The vast forests, rare birds and animals, streams, pools, waterfalls, and historic temples all contribute to its unique charm...

　　Yaoluoping was also a renowned revolutionary base. It served as the station for the former Red 25th Army and Red 28th Army. Under the leadership of Gao Jingting, significant and effective revolutionary struggles were carried out in the Dabie Mountains, with the area pinning down nearly 40 divisions of enemy forces. Located opposite Yingshan County in Hubei Province, it is known as the "Red Yaoluoping."

　　Address: Within Baojia Township, 50 kilometers west of Yuexi County

　　 The Yaoluoping National Nature Reserve was established in December 1991 with the approval of the Anhui Provincial People's Government, and was promoted to a national-level nature reserve in April 1994 with the approval of the State Council. In 1999, it was admitted as a member of the Man and Biosphere Programme in China. It is a forest ecological-type reserve directly constructed and managed by environmental protection authorities.

　　The reserve is located within Baojia Township, Yuexi County, Anqing City, at the junction of three counties (Yuexi, Huoshan, and Yingshan) across Anhui and Hubei provinces. It lies between 116°02′20″ to 116°10′53″ east longitude and 30°57′20″ to 31°06′10″ north latitude, covering an area of 123 square kilometers.

　　The reserve represents a typical northern subtropical subalpine forest ecosystem, with superior natural conditions, complex flora and fauna, and abundant biological resources. It encompasses nearly all the biological populations and vegetation types found in the Dabie Mountains, preserving large areas of natural secondary forests and a number of rare and ancient relict species. The forest vegetation can be broadly divided into eight types (subtypes) and 35 formations, including evergreen broad-leaved forest, deciduous-evergreen broad-leaved mixed forest, deciduous broad-leaved forest, coniferous forest, bamboo forest, shrubland, grassland, and artificial vegetation. Preliminary surveys have identified over 2,000 species of higher vascular plants, more than 100 species of macrofungi, 18 amphibian species, 25 reptile species, 129 bird species, and 40 mammal species. Among these, over 40 are key nationally protected rare and endangered species, along with dozens of endemic species such as the Dabie Mountain five-needle pine, Duozhi azalea, Yaoluoping pinellia, Anhui musk deer (Anhui subspecies), and Anhui koklass pheasant (Anhui subspecies). It is widely acclaimed as a "green treasure house," "plant gene bank," "natural zoo," "herbal garden," and "refuge for endangered species."

　　The reserve enjoys excellent environmental quality. According to a 2006 scientific assessment by the Anhui Environmental Monitoring Center Station on the region’s ecological environment and biodiversity status, Yaoluoping has a biodiversity index of 121.38—21.38 higher than Qimen County, the highest in the province, and 73.27 higher than the provincial average. Its vegetation coverage index is 108.98—8.98 higher than Qimen County and 52.43 higher than the provincial average. Forest coverage reaches 95.08%, which is 10% higher than Qimen County and 69% higher than the provincial average. Compared to the 90% coverage before the establishment of the reserve, this represents an increase of five percentage points. Air quality, monitored by the Anhui Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, shows an average total concentration of 4,012 negative air ions per cubic meter, earning an A-level rating or above, indicating the cleanest possible air.

　　This is also a land of revolution. It served as the headquarters for the 28th Army of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army during their three-year guerrilla war in the Eyuwan region. In 2006, the former military and political site of the 28th Army in Yaoluoping was listed as one of China’s 100 classic red tourism scenic areas, making it an important base for revolutionary tradition and patriotic education.

　　This is a sacred place for tourism and a paradise for vacations. With its excellent ecological environment and abundant flora and fauna, the area provides vast opportunities for teaching and research. The Yaoluoping Reserve sincerely welcomes research institutions, colleges and universities, and all passionate individuals to collaborate in achieving the reserve’s goal of becoming a "nationally first-class, internationally connected" nature reserve. Together, we aim to gradually develop Yaoluoping into a base for biodiversity conservation in China, a research center for biological species, an educational hub for ecological protection, an eco-tourism destination, and a model for ecological economy in southern collective forest areas.