Daba Mountain National Nature Reserve

　　A national nature reserve. Located on the southern foothills of the Daba Mountains in Chengkou County, Chongqing. The Chenglan Road (Chengkou–Langao County, Shaanxi) and Chengwu Road (Chengkou County–Wuxi County) pass through the scenic area. It is approximately 40 kilometers from downtown Chengkou. This is a mountainous scenic tourism area that combines a nature reserve with natural landscapes and local folk customs.

　　The Daba Mountain Nature Reserve lies at the heart of the Daba Mountain range, spanning two first-level geological units — the Qinling and Yangtze plates — and is part of the southern edge of the arc-shaped fault-fold zone of the Daba Mountains. The reserve is surrounded by mountains, featuring overlapping peaks, crisscrossing valleys, and a complex terrain divided into low mountain river valleys, mid-level mountains, and peak-cluster plateaus. The main mountain ranges in the area are neatly aligned due to geological and lithological controls, extending from northwest to southeast. The vertical vegetation zones show distinct species distribution and composition changes, from bottom to top: Masson pine evergreen coniferous forest zone, montane evergreen-deciduous broadleaf forest zone, coniferous forest zone, and montane dark coniferous forest zone. The reserve has a subtropical mountain climate with abundant rainfall, sufficient sunshine, long winters and short summers, and distinct seasons. The main types of vegetation include trees, shrubs, woody vines, and bamboos. Rare tree species found here include Taiwania flousiana, Taxus chinensis, Metasequoia glyptostroboides, Davidia involucrata var. vilmoriniana, Ginkgo biloba, Liriodendron chinense, Emmenopterys henryi, Cyclobalanopsis glauca, Magnolia officinalis, Toona sinensis, Picea brachytyla, Cephalotaxus fortunei, Pseudotaxus chienii, Camphor tree, and Phoebe nanmu — a total of seventeen species. Major economic tree species include lacquer tree, tea plant, walnut, chestnut, tung tree, Chinese prickly ash, apple, pear, and persimmon — nine types in total. The primary woody medicinal plants include Eucommia ulmoides, Phellodendron amurense, Magnolia officinalis, Berberis, and the globally rare herb Ononis. There are twenty types of bamboo, including Bambusa textilis, Fargesia spathacea, Bambusa multiplex, Phyllostachys bambusoides, Bambusa arnhemica, and Bashania fargesii. The reserve spans a total area of 1,360.17 square kilometers, with an intact forest ecosystem characterized by ancient origins, rich biodiversity, and high levels of endemism. To date, over 4,000 species of wild plants and more than 700 species of wildlife have been preliminarily identified. The reserve is the origin site of many type specimens of plants, with collections housed in numerous renowned herbariums around the world. In recent years, experts from various national departments, universities, and research institutions have conducted numerous field investigations in the area. Notable scenic spots (or areas) within the Daba Mountain Nature Reserve include Huang'anba (see Huang'anba Tourist Resort), Qinglong Gorge (see Qinglong Gorge Scenic Area), Shentian Grassland (see Shentian Grassland), and Liangshamen (Two-Paned Gate), making it an ideal destination for sightseeing, convalescence, summer retreats, and scientific research.

　　Main Attractions:

　　Shiren Bay: Nestled within the Yan River basin, it gets its name from a rock formation resembling a human figure. The valley is deep and densely forested, with long, serene gorges, murmuring streams, peculiar mountain shapes, lush green peaks, and crystal-clear springs, offering delightful scenery.

　　Liangshamen (Two-Paned Gate): Stretching about 20 kilometers, it was once an important ancient route between Sichuan and Shaanxi. Towering cliffs dozens of meters high rise abruptly on both banks, standing opposite each other like two massive doors, hence the saying “One gate locks two provinces.”

　　Hou’ergou (Monkey Valley): Approximately 500 meters long. Towering mountains line both sides of the valley, densely covered with trees that block out the sunlight, creating a deep and quiet gorge where monkeys are occasionally spotted. The stream at the bottom of the valley is crystal clear, winding and meandering gracefully.

　　Enquiry Hotline: (023) 59227766 Fax: (023) 59227676

　　Information Source: People's Government of Chengkou County, Chongqing