Shangchuan Island Macaque Provincial Nature Reserve

　　The Shangchuan Island Macaque Provincial Nature Reserve in Taishan, Guangdong, was established in January 1990. The reserve is situated at the northeastern tip of Shangchuan Island, adjacent to the national 4A-level Feishatan Tourist Area to the east, and surrounded by the sea on the east, west, and north. The area features rolling mountains, birdsong, fragrant flowers, flowing streams, and uniquely shaped rocks. It includes ten major scenic spots such as Moon Viewing Platform, Waterfall Cave Wonder, Moonlit Pool, Macaque Paradise, Streams Around Four Gates, and Flag Fluttering in the Wind. The total area of the reserve is 2,281 hectares, including a core zone of 1,200.8 hectares, a buffer zone and scientific experimental zone covering 1,030.87 hectares, and a specially controlled area of 49.33 hectares. Its primary conservation targets are the macaques and their habitats.

　　According to incomplete statistics, the reserve is home to over 1,500 macaques from 24 groups, as well as a variety of rare wildlife such as pythons, monitor lizards, large geckos, Chinese box turtles, owls, pangolins, and otters. There are 75 species of birds and over 100 types of butterflies. The plant diversity is also rich—according to surveys by the South China Botanical Garden, the area hosts over 1,000 species of plants from more than 250 genera and 110 families, including nationally protected species such as podocarpus, alsophila, agarwood, and slipper orchids.

　　The total boundary of the reserve stretches 50 kilometers, including 26 kilometers of coastline. The coastal scenery is stunning and unique, forming a condensed natural landscape where high mountains meet the sea and ocean waves echo with forested hills.

　　Source: Guangdong Provincial Forestry Department