Dafengbao Scenic Area

　　Dafengbao Scenic Area is a mountainous tourism destination developed by Chongqing Puhui Group to national AAAA-level standards. It was completed and opened to the public in September 2009. Located in Huangshui Town, Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County — in the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir area, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River and in eastern Chongqing — the scenic area spans a total area of 19,700 hectares, with 10,000 mu open to visitors. The average elevation is 1,700 meters, and the highest peak reaches 1,934 meters. It forms part of the experimental zone of the former Dafengbao Municipal Nature Reserve, and is one of the larger and best-preserved primeval forest scenic areas in the Chongqing section of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Its main peak stands at 1,934 meters above sea level, belonging to the Qiyao Mountain range of the Wu Mountains. With undulating peaks, lush ridges, and crisscrossing valleys, it is both the highest peak in Shizhu County and the tallest mountain in eastern Chongqing, hence earning the nicknames “Pearl of Eastern Chongqing” and “First Peak of Eastern Chongqing.” Due to the constant howling winds, the grandeur of the mountains, and the way tall trees catch the wind — when the wind rises, clouds surge, forest waves roar, and mountain breezes wail — it is named “Dafengbao” (Great Wind Fortress). As an important component of the New Twelve Scenic Spots of Bayu, “Huangshui – Bizi Ka Green Palace,” its vegetation coverage reaches 95%, with negative oxygen ions exceeding 50,000 per cubic centimeter. The average annual temperature ranges from 22°C to 25°C, with a minimum of -5°C. The area is filled year-round with fragrant mountain blooms that never fade, perpetually shrouded in misty clouds, presenting a spectacular sea of clouds. Mist condenses into rain, and the mountain streams and valleys are filled with the continuous sound of springs. The area boasts abundant scenic resources and is widely renowned as a “natural oxygen bar.”

　　(1) Plant Resources

　　Possessing primitive characteristics

　　Dafengbao Scenic Area is an extremely precious primeval forest in the Wuling region. With complex terrain and a main peak elevation of 1,934.1 meters, along with minimal human activity, the forest here retains the most primitive features.

　　Ancient flora with rich germplasm resources

　　The scenic area has a long-evolved and ancient plant system, rich in ancient and relict plant species such as ginkgo, dove tree, yew, southern yew, golden larch, and metasequoia. These are living fossils resulting from long-term evolutionary development. Many century-old species, including stonecrop, metasequoia, rhododendron, and nanmu, are distributed throughout the area. The degree of relic and antiquity of these plants highlights their rarity and indicates the ancient nature of the flora.

　　Abundant wild germplasm serves as a resource for breeding new varieties. Dafengbao Scenic Area hosts nearly 1,000 ancestors or closely related species of cultivated plants, such as wild soybean, yew, wild ginkgo, and wild cherry. These wild organisms are highly valuable germplasm resources for genetic breeding and hold great potential for developing new plant varieties, forest foods, and forest-based cosmetics.

　　Rich in rare and endangered plant species

　　Among the 1,206 recorded plant species in the scenic area, 40 are protected rare and endangered plants — including 8 Class I, 6 Class II, and 6 Class III protected species. This accounts for 38.1% of Chongqing’s total of 105 protected plant species, despite the scenic area covering less than 0.3% of Chongqing’s total land area. In this sense, the scenic area is exceptionally rich in rare and endangered plant species.

　　Dominated by subtropical plant species

　　Many plants in the scenic area are subtropical species, such as Masson pine, golden larch, Chinese pine, Japanese red pine, Chinese fir, metasequoia, Chinese cryptomeria, yew, southern yew, dove tree, Acacia pennata, sophora, milk vetch, nanmu, Machilus spp., Phoebe spp., euonymus, Euscaphis japonica, Tapiscia sinensis, Tilia spp., and kiwi. These plants are major components of evergreen broad-leaved forest tree or shrub layers, with about 70% classified as subtropical species.

　　(2) Animal Resources

　　Dafengbao Scenic Area features abundant pristine vegetation, and its complex natural conditions provide an excellent ecological environment for wildlife survival and reproduction. Surveys indicate the presence of over 300 animal species, such as leopards, macaques, pangolins, yellow-throated martens, jackals, large Indian civets, small Indian civets, fishing cats, forest musk deer, wolves, female foxes, and others.

　　The animal communities in the scenic area are divided into three types: forest (including primeval forest, natural secondary forest, and planted forest), shrub-grassland, and farmland (including paddy and dry fields), as well as water bodies (streams and rivers). Ecological groups are also categorized into forest animals, shrub-grassland animals, and farmland animals.

　　(3) Climatic Resources

　　Part of the subtropical humid monsoon zone, the area enjoys mild year-round temperatures, distinct seasons, abundant heat and rainfall, no extreme heat, and occasional frost and snow. Persistent strong winds sweep through the mountains, stirring up clouds and setting off forest waves with echoing mountain breezes. Each season brings different scenery, blending the charm of southern landscapes with the flavor of northern frontiers. It's truly described as “spring like a dewdrop, summer like a dream, autumn like a drunken haze, and winter like jade.” Some say it is Chongqing’s natural air conditioner. Forests not only regulate the climate and beautify the environment but also contribute to human health and longevity.

　　With over 80% forest coverage, the scenic area contains high levels of negative oxygen ions, known as “vitamins of the air.” The air is fresh and of excellent quality, leaving visitors feeling refreshed and relaxed. It helps lower blood pressure, relax the nerves, and dispel melancholy. Regular walks in the forest can have significant health benefits.

　　(4) Sky and Seasonal Scenery

　　The area is perpetually cloaked in drifting clouds and mist, creating spectacular mountain-and-sea cloudscapes. When mist condenses into rain, light fog gently drapes the landscape like a veil of modesty; thick fog veils everything from view. But when the clouds part and sunlight emerges, breathtaking scenes appear. Mountain streams and valleys echo with the constant murmur of springs, set against vibrant greenery. Moreover, the rich and diverse vegetation gives rise to dynamic seasonal forest landscapes. Throughout the year, it's a paradise of flowers and emerald green. Each season offers unique views: spring blooms with sprouting plants, verdant pines and bamboos, and birds singing in chorus; summer brims with dense forests, layers of shrubs, deep shade, creeping vines, and low moss; autumn paints the pines and bamboos in dark hues, maples ablaze in crimson, fruits hanging from branches, fragrant herbs, and perfumes carried on the wind; while deep winter dazzles with snow-dusted peaks and white-covered mountains.

　　With the completion of Wanshengba Reservoir, Dafengbao Scenic Area will be further enhanced. On sunny days, crystal-clear blue waters gleam; on rainy days, misty clouds hover lightly. When a gentle breeze blows, the sound of waves harmonizes with forest whispers, creating a delightful natural symphony that refreshes the mind and soul.

　　In summary, Dafengbao Scenic Area boasts majestic peaks, deep valleys, lush green forests, snow-blanketed woods in winter, and serene waters against mountain backdrops, accompanied by gentle breezes. The abundant natural landscape resources offer ideal conditions for developing forest eco-tourism.

　　Source: Chongqing Government Website