Shangbahe National Forest Park

　　The park is situated at the intersection of four counties—Ningshan, Hanyin, Shiquan, and Hanbin—in the northeastern part of Ningshan County, on the upper reaches of the Shangbahe River, approximately 21 kilometers from the county town. To the northwest, it connects with the Huoditang Teaching Forest Farm of Northwest A&F University; to the northeast, it borders the Xinkuang Forest Farm of Ningshan Forestry Bureau; to the southeast, it neighbors Xinkuang Township of Ningshan County; to the west, it adjoins Yudong Village in Chengguan Town; and to the south, it is nestled against Qinglong Village in Chengguan Town.

　　The forest area within the park covers 4,526 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 95.1%. The forest coverage rate of Ningshan County is 91.6%, and the abundant forest resources contribute to the park’s unique forest landscape. The Qinling Mountains, which serve as the geological foundation for the park’s forest scenery, stretch across the horizon. There are over 20 steep and rugged peaks and more than 110 narrow, deep valleys within the park, creating a diverse landscape of undulating mountains and crisscrossing ravines. The park is home to 126 species of mammals, 338 species of birds, and 1,435 species of insects. Among them, 424 species are under national protection, including rare animals such as giant pandas, golden monkeys, giant salamanders, and takins. The Shangbahe River within the park has 12 tributaries, and waterfalls, clear pools, and streams form the park’s vibrant aquatic landscapes.

　　The forest vegetation types in the park include subtropical evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests, warm temperate deciduous broad-leaved forests, temperate mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests, subalpine coniferous forests, as well as various types of drought-resistant shrubs and meadows, accounting for 65% of China’s vegetation types. The park’s plant flora includes 12 geographical components from the global plant flora, making it the most botanically rich forest landscape in southern Shaanxi and one of the best-preserved forest environments in the region. With its unique resource and locational advantages, it serves as the leading destination for forest tourism in the Ankang area.

　　Pingheliang is the highest peak in southern Shaanxi, with the park’s highest elevation reaching 2,868 meters (Pingheliang) and the lowest at 1,014 meters (Shigoukou), a total elevation difference of 1,850 meters. It features a variety of peaks, valleys, peculiar rocks, and strange stones, making it the most unique and comprehensive geo-landscape area in southern Shaanxi. The forest park lies at the intersection and transition zone between the Palearctic and Oriental realms of animal species, making it one of the richest areas in China in terms of animal diversity and the most abundant in animal resources in the Ankang region.

　　The Shangbahe River flows approximately 12 kilometers within the park, covering an area of about 20 square kilometers, with 12 major and minor tributaries and a water storage capacity of 1,800 cubic meters. It features a variety of water landscapes, including waterfalls, clear pools, and streams, serving as a microcosm of the hydrological landscapes in southern Shaanxi.