Gutianshan

　　    The Gutianshan Scenic Area is situated at the source of the Qiantang River in Kaihua County on the border between Zhejiang and Jiangxi. It borders Yushan County, Wuyuan County, and Dexing City. Designated as a nature reserve, it was officially established in May 1975 with the approval of the Zhejiang Provincial People's Government, and was upgraded to a national nature reserve in June 2001 with the approval of the State Council. The scenic area spans a total of 81.071 square kilometers, is 30 kilometers from the county seat, has a forest coverage rate of nearly 100%, and is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

　　    The Gutianshan Scenic Area boasts rich biodiversity, profound cultural heritage, pleasant climate throughout the four seasons, and naturally beautiful landscapes. Known as the “Xing'an Mountains of Western Zhejiang” and hailed as a “natural oxygen bar,” it is recognized as a “biological origin, scientific research base, cultural sacred land, wellness destination, and pristine ecotourism site.”

　　    — Biological Origin. Gutianshan lies in the eastern part of central subtropical China, belonging to the Huaiyu Mountain Range of the Nanling Mountains. Formed during the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic Era, it has a history of over 200 million years. Due to multiple volcanic eruptions from the Yanshan Movement during the Cretaceous period, the entire mountain range extends from northeast to southwest. Surrounded by peaks on the north, east, and west sides, the rugged terrain and unique geographical features create a distinct microclimate within the forest. It is home to one of the world’s most well-preserved, typical, and pristine low-altitude subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests. The vegetation is primarily from the East China flora region but also features characteristics of both northern and southern floras, making it an important transitional zone connecting the plant life of South China to North China. It also incorporates elements from South China, the North Temperate Zone, as well as Japan, East Asia-North America, India, Malaysia, Oceania, and pantropical regions. According to incomplete statistics, the protected area contains 1,991 species of higher plants from 897 genera and 244 families, including the nationally first-class protected plant, the southern yew. There are 34 rare and endangered plant species, particularly notable for the large and densely distributed communities of three such species: the fragrant fruit tree, wild michelia, and purple-stemmed tree, which are rare nationwide. There are 207 species of macrofungi, 50 of which were first discovered in Zhejiang Province at Gutianshan. There are 239 species of vertebrates from 67 families and 26 orders, including 4 species under national first-class protection: the leopard, clouded leopard, black muntjac, and white-necked long-tailed pheasant. Thirty-four species, such as the black bear and silver pheasant, are under national second-class protection, and 36 species are under provincial key protection. Moreover, it serves as a primary habitat for the black muntjac, white-necked long-tailed pheasant, black bear, and silver pheasant. There are 1,156 species of insects from 191 families and 22 orders, with 164 species from 37 families and 11 orders having Gutianshan as their type locality.

　　    — Scientific Research Base. The unique geographical advantages and abundant, typical biological resources of Gutianshan provide an optimal platform for dynamic monitoring and mechanistic studies of biodiversity. This has attracted experts and scholars from institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhejiang University, HSBC, and researchers from Taiwan, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Canada, Switzerland, and Germany to establish bases and conduct biodiversity research here. In 2002, the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Zhejiang University and other research institutions, established a 24-hectare permanent monitoring plot in Gutianshan. In 2008, the China-Europe cooperation project (BEF-China) set up the world’s only forest BEF research initiative in the subtropics at Gutianshan. In 2009, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, HSBC, and the Earthwatch Institute of the United States jointly established the China Regional Climate Research Center in Gutianshan (one of only five such centers globally, alongside those in the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, and China’s Gutianshan).

　　    — Cultural Sacred Land. Gutianshan not only boasts excellent ecology and beautiful scenery, but also has a long history and rich cultural heritage, where natural and cultural landscapes complement each other. First is Buddhist culture: At an elevation of 850 meters in Gutianshan stands the Lingyun Temple, also known as the Gutianshan Temple, built in 963 AD and with a history of over a thousand years. Second is historical and military culture: In 1357 AD, when Zhu Yuanzhang was besieged by Chen Youliang during battle, he set up camp in Gutianshan. Drawing spiritual strength from the Gutianshan Temple, he outwitted and decisively defeated Chen Youliang, leading to his undefeated record in subsequent battles. In 1368, after Zhu Yuanzhang became emperor, sites such as the “Zhu Yuanzhang’s General Platform” and “Drill Ground” in Gutianshan serve as evidence of this history. During the revolutionary war period, figures like Fang Zhimin, Su Yu, and Chen Yi also left their footprints here, evidenced by sites such as the “Red Army Cave” and “Red Star Tree.” Third is intangible cultural heritage: The long history of the areas under the jurisdiction of the Gutianshan Nature Reserve has given rise to unique folk customs. For example, the Mid-Autumn Festival “Incense Grass Dragon Dance” in Fuhu Village, with a history of over 1,100 years, was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2011. The “Ancient Buddha Festival” in Tangtou Village was included in the provincial intangible cultural heritage list in 2009. Other events such as the “Seedling Protection Festival” in Gutianshan Village, the “Fish Head Lantern Dragon” in Yucun, and the “Horse Lantern Dance” in Hengzhong Village have also been listed as municipal or provincial intangible cultural heritage. Fourth is ancient tree and famous wood culture: Notable examples include the “Yuan Cedar,” “Tang Cypress,” “Wuyue Ancient Camphor,” and “Suzhuang Ginkgo.” Legend says the “Yuan Cedar” was personally planted by Zhu Yuanzhang, while the “Wuyue Ancient Camphor” is known as the “Tree King of Zhejiang.” Fifth is folklore: Within the Gutianshan protected area circulate folk tales such as the “Three Oddities of Gutianshan”—snakes that don’t bite, snails without tails, and water that leaves marks.

　　    — Wellness Destination. An ancient text, Guangyu, once recorded: “Gutianshan, a famous mountain of the southeast, is one of the Seventy-Two Blessed Sites.” The unique geographical advantages and ecological environment of Gutianshan have nurtured highly promising wellness resources such as “oxygen bars, mineral springs, and hot springs.” First is the oxygen bar: The area has the highest negative oxygen ion concentration reaching over 145,000 per cubic centimeter, with averages far exceeding World Health Organization standards, making it a true “natural oxygen bar.” Second is mineral water: The “Gutianshan” brand mineral water is rich in trace elements and offers excellent taste. Third is hot springs: Geologists have confirmed through multiple surveys that the underground fault lines of Gutianshan contain abundant spring water with characteristics such as weak alkalinity and high fluoride ion content, suitable for the development of fluorosilicic thermal therapy hot springs.

　　    — Pristine Ecotourism Destination. The Gutianshan tourism area features overlapping peaks, lush vegetation, towering ancient trees, cascading springs and waterfalls, a beautiful ecological environment, and abundant tourism resources. Based on the national standard GB/T18972-2003 for the classification, investigation, and evaluation of tourism resources, preliminary surveys have identified 69 individual grade tourism resources, including 26 high-quality ones. These resources fall into 8 main categories, 21 subcategories, and 47 basic types, and have formed a cluster of tourism resources. Particularly notable is the near 100% forest coverage, pristine evergreen broad-leaved forests, highly concentrated negative oxygen ion climate, and natural and cultural integrated landscapes.

　　    Source: Quzhou Municipal Bureau of Tourism