Huangsang Nature Reserve

　　Huangsang Nature Reserve is situated in the southwestern part of Suining County, extending 25 kilometers from north to south and up to 19.5 kilometers in maximum width from east to west. It boasts a forest area of 255,000 mu, including 235,000 mu of pristine secondary forest. Rare and precious trees, flowers, medicinal plants, and animals thrive here, making it a true natural kingdom.

　　Bamboo, with its vibrant green color, embodies vigorous vitality. Its hollow center reflects a humble character. As an ancient saying goes: “Jade may be shattered but not its whiteness; bamboo may be burned but not its integrity.” May the bamboo of life forever retain its verdant hue.

　　Since ancient times, bamboo has been known as one of the “Three Friends of Winter” alongside pine and plum. It has been the subject of painters’ brushstrokes and the inspiration of poets’ verses.

　　The stems and leaves of bamboo are elegantly shaped, and its underground rhizomes add even more charm. Bamboo can take root in fertile soil or stand firmly on barren cliffs and in crevices. It possesses the tenacity of “biting into the green mountain without loosening its grip,” standing proud and unyielding despite the wind and rain. No wonder the Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo praised it with the words: “I would rather eat without meat than live without bamboo.”

　　Huangsang Nature Reserve is home to many species of bamboo, including the tall, robust, and versatile Nan bamboo, suitable both for shoots and timber, which grows in lush clusters; the square-shaped and uniquely elegant Fang bamboo; the Luohan bamboo, whose sections interlock diagonally with bulbous nodes resembling a Buddha’s belly; the Purple bamboo, with its tea-brown, attractive culms, excellent material quality, resistance to insect damage, and long-lasting durability; the Solid bamboo, which resembles water bamboo but has a solid core; the Indocalamus bamboo, whose broad leaves are ideal for wrapping zongzi; the Ma bamboo, dotted with fine purple speckles reminiscent of “a thousand teardrops on a bamboo stalk”; the Zi xiao bamboo, known for the motherly protection and filial devotion it symbolizes; the Shui bamboo, valued for its fine texture, toughness, straight fiber, and suitability for textile production; as well as other species such as Gui bamboo, Mao bamboo, Ku bamboo, and Da jian bamboo. Two types of Golden Bamboo have also been introduced here: one with entirely golden-yellow culms, and another featuring alternating golden and emerald-green stripes running vertically from base to tip—truly a unique and stunning ornamental bamboo variety.

　　Bamboo can also be used in medicine to treat illnesses. For example, Bamboo juice is extracted by roasting freshly cut bamboo (usually water bamboo or light bamboo) until it oozes out clear liquid like tears, which can treat conditions such as phlegm blockage, stroke, mania, and phlegm-heat coughing. Bamboo fungus, made by scraping thin slices from the green outer skin of bamboo, contains polysaccharides, amino acids, phenolic substances, resins, and anthocyanins, and can treat symptoms like restlessness, thirst, and vomiting. Bamboo roots are believed to nourish the heart and promote lactation.

　　Bamboo can live for decades and sometimes flowers and bears fruit, producing something resembling an ear of rice called “bamboo rice.” Those who have tasted bamboo rice say it is fragrant, sticky, and uniquely delicious. However, once bamboo flowers and fruits, it exhausts its nutrients and reaches the end of its life.

　　Verdant bamboo paints the earth green, making immense contributions to humanity and closely tied to people’s daily lives in aspects of clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. Su Dongpo aptly described it: “We eat bamboo shoots, live under bamboo roofs, wear bamboo hats, cook over bamboo stoves, wear bamboo bark clothing, write on bamboo paper, wear bamboo shoes, ride bamboo rafts—truly, one cannot go a single day without this noble plant!”

　　This is an undeveloped natural tourist area. Entering through Majing Valley, you’ll encounter many of the world’s rare treasures from the plant kingdom. There are over 20 kinds of plants under national key protection here, such as Fragrant Fruit Tree, Flowering Walnut, Moso Alnus, China Fir, Tulip Tree, Birch Hazel, and Chinese Tulip Tree. In the beautiful forest, the landscapes are enchanting. The Liuche Cave Waterfall cascades straight down like a white curtain hanging from the sky, majestic and overwhelming. The China Fir grove in Yuantou Mountain consists of 38 towering firs, their trunks standing upright and embracing, their roots intertwining, branches, trunks, and roots forming rare and interconnected scenes.

　　In recent years, Mandarin Ducks have been spotted multiple times in Shizhu Stream in the Majing Valley section of Huangsang Nature Reserve, with the largest group numbering over thirty. This is the first time in over twenty years that so many of these “peerless beauties” among birds have been seen here.

　　On a breezy and sunny day in early spring, we arrived at Shizhu Stream under Bridge No. 1 in Majing Valley. Just past the curve, where the stream forms a relatively flat shallow beach about fifty meters from the bridge, over thirty small but brightly feathered Mandarin Ducks floated on the water. Some flapped their wings, splashing water droplets; others stood in pairs on pebbles, heads close together, whispering softly. In a quieter part of the river, a few ducks rested with their heads tucked under their feathers, drifting along the water—a serene and picturesque scene. Further along, between Bridge No. 1 and Bridge No. 2, a stretch of about three li, pairs of Mandarin Ducks were frequently seen playing in the water. This part of the stream features many bends, deep pools, steep cliffs on both sides, and dense vegetation, making it an ideal habitat for Mandarin Ducks.

　　Mandarin Ducks are resident birds and are classified as a second-class protected animal in China. They are regarded as symbols of love, harmony, beauty, and good fortune. However, due to deforestation, road and bridge construction, and the impact of blasting rocks, these resident birds have had to leave their familiar habitats and migrate elsewhere, making these natural treasures increasingly rare. In 1982, after the provincial government approved the establishment of Huangsang Nature Reserve, the People's Government of Suining County issued a notice strictly prohibiting the hunting of rare birds and animals. Local governments and the reserve management office strengthened the protection and management of rare flora and fauna, creating a better social and ecological environment for them. With a restored sense of safety, the beautiful Mandarin Ducks have returned to their paradise for breeding and living.

　　Huangsang boasts magnificent scenery, lush trees, and abundant resources of Chinese herbal medicine. Notable herbs include Ganoderma, Gastrodia, Codonopsis, and Rock Ear Fungus. There are over ten species of first and second-class protected animals, including the “King of Beasts”—the South China Tiger, which produces musk more precious than gold; the “Eagle-beaked Turtle,” and rare birds like the Lady Amherst’s Pheasant.

　　The most beautiful of the rare birds in Huangsang Nature Reserve is undoubtedly the Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, also known as the Golden Pheasant or Heavenly Chicken. Its resplendent feathers have earned it the reputation of being the “flower” of green gardens.

　　The conservation area’s plant and animal propagation farm once captured and raised over ten Lady Amherst’s Pheasants. Keepers observed that while the abdominal feathers are bright red, the rest display a full spectrum of colors—red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet—blending magnificently, creating an extraordinarily gorgeous sight. One large specimen weighed 1.75 jin (approximately 875 grams), measured 1.05 meters in length (with a 79 cm tail and 20.5 cm wingspan), had tarsi 80 mm long, a red beak, brown feet, and a brilliant golden crest on its head, giving it an extraordinarily elegant and graceful appearance.

　　80 millimeters, a red beak, and brown feet, with a head adorned by a dazzling golden crest that lends the bird a dashing, elegant, and extraordinarily beautiful presence.

　　In terms of behavior, Lady Amherst’s Pheasants share similarities with Mandarin Ducks—they are often seen in pairs, inseparable, whispering intimately, and displaying deep affection. At times, they sing and dance, emitting cheerful calls of “ge ge” or “ge ge ge.” When excited or seeking a mate, the males produce loud, trumpet-like calls audible from over a kilometer away. On one occasion, when a keeper separated a male from its mate to pair it with another female, the abandoned female became visibly distressed, ate less at each meal, and avoided interaction with other males. Male pheasants also prove to be exemplary mates—upon finding the best food, they call out to let the females eat first. When in a group, males take on sentry duty and refrain from feeding. At the first sign of danger, they sound the alarm, ensuring the group escapes first while they themselves are the last to leave the danger zone.

　　The primitive secondary forest tourism area of Huangsang Nature Reserve is a pristine, untouched natural paradise. Highlights of Huangsang Scenic Area include Damendong Reservoir, Quyou Valley, Liuche Cave Waterfall, Jiuxichong, Mandarin Duck Island, Shangbao Ancient Kingdom, China Fir Forest, and Niupotou. Among the floral visitors is the White Eared Pheasant.

　　In Huangsang Nature Reserve, there is a rare and precious bird called the White Eared Pheasant, also known as the Silver Pheasant. Due to its elegant and serene demeanor, as early as the Western Han Dynasty, Liu Xiang bestowed upon it the noble title of “Idle Guest.”

　　Observe it: its crimson little face, orange round eyes, and pale green pointed beak are exceptionally refined and lovely. Its blue-black crest rises and falls—when raised, it flutters in the wind like a scarf; when lowered, it hugs the back of its head like a cap. Its upper body and wing feathers are snow-white, and its wings are covered with fish-scale-like “V” patterns, resembling a white cloak. Its lower body feathers are fine, smooth, and glossy, colored blue-black with a radiant sheen, like a form-fitting garment. The central tail feathers are snow-white and fluffy, resembling silk ribbons, while the outer feathers feature wavy patterns, akin to ripples on autumn water. Its legs are thick, straight, and glowing red, exuding a heroic aura.

　　The White Eared Pheasant often inhabits forests filled with red flowers and green leaves. In summer, it retreats to the deep mountains to escape the heat, and in winter, it seeks sheltered areas. During the day, they play and chase each other; at dusk, they forage together, and at night, they roost on tree branches—living a life of complete freedom.

　　The White Eared Pheasant is cherished for its beauty and also because it is “proud and difficult to keep in captivity,” making it quite rare and thus an even more precious ornamental bird. In ancient China, people regarded the White Eared Pheasant as a valuable gift. Li Bai wrote, “I would trade a pair of white cranes for a pair of White Eared Pheasants,” and the Tang Dynasty poet Song Zhiwen also received one as a gift: “My old friend gave me a green zither and also sent me a White Eared Pheasant.” During the Western Han Dynasty, the White Eared Pheasant was even offered as a tribute to the emperor. The *Book of Han: Miscellaneous Records* states: “The Minyue Kingdom presented the Emperor Gaozu with a pair of White Eared Pheasants and a pair of Black Eagles, which greatly pleased the emperor, who rewarded them handsomely.” Today, China protects the White Eared Pheasant as a rare bird.