Ganshiling Tie Ling Nature Reserve

　　The reserve features low mountainous and hilly terrain, extending from the southern foothills of the Wuzhi Mountain Range. Elevations range from 50 to 681 meters, with slopes between 30 and 50 degrees. The topography is high around the edges and slopes inward, with several valleys and gullies scattered throughout, resembling an open lotus flower. There are 123 peaks of varying sizes, 21 of which are over 300 meters high. The area is characterized by undulating mountains, clear waters, and lush greenery all year round. From higher vantage points, you can see the inland sea about 10 kilometers to the east, and on clear days, the outline of Sanya to the west.

　　The reserve is home to 88 species of plants from 63 genera and 34 families, 94% of which are trees. Over 20 of these species are listed in national and provincial protected tree directories. Common protected animals in the reserve include sambar deer and giant squirrels, along with snakes and various bird species, all active within the forest.

　　The reserve grows large tracts of a rare tropical tree species — Hopea exalata, commonly known as Tie Ling. It belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family and is a tall tree, typically growing between 12 to 15 meters in height, with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 30–40 cm. The trunk is straight, the bark smooth, reddish-brown in color with yellow streaks, and the wood is tough, making it excellent material for furniture. On Ganshiling, Hopea exalata grows mixed within secondary rainforests. This unique ecological community was first discovered in China and is also very rare abroad.

　　Ganshiling Tie Ling Nature Reserve is located at the junction of the southern part of Baoting County and Sanya. Established in August 1983, it covers an area of 25,000 mu. The reserve grows large tracts of a rare tropical tree species — Hopea exalata, commonly known as Tie Ling. It belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family and is a tall tree, typically growing between 12 to 15 meters in height, with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 30–40 cm. The trunk is straight, the bark smooth, reddish-brown in color with yellow streaks, and the wood is tough, making it excellent material for furniture. On Ganshiling, Hopea exalata grows mixed within secondary rainforests. This unique ecological community was first discovered in China and is also very rare abroad.