Attractions
Shennongjia Nature Reserve
Jan.-Dec.
N/A
CNY CNY 140 Low Season
Jan.-Dec.
N/A
CNY CNY 140 Adress & Phone Transportation Take a bus fromWuhan , you can buy ticket in Wuchangbinzhuluhongxianggang 6. Notes
The Shennongjia district in remote northwestern Hubei has the wildest scenery in the province, covering an area of 3,250 square kilometers. With heavily forested mountains of fir, pine and hemlock -including something rare in China, old-growth stands -the area is known as a treasure trove of more than 1,300 species of medicinal plants. Indeed, the name for the area roughly translates as "Shennong's Ladder" to commemorate a legendary emperor, Shennong, believed to be the founder of herbal medicine and agriculture. According to the legend, he heard about some special plants growing up high on a precipice, so he cut down a great tree and used it to climb to the site and reach the plants, which he added to his medical collection.
The Shennongjia district in remote northwestern Hubei has the wildest scenery in the province, covering an area of 3,250 square kilometers. With heavily forested mountains of fir, pine and hemlock -including something rare in China, old-growth stands -the area is known as a treasure trove of more than 1,300 species of medicinal plants. Indeed, the name for the area roughly translates as "Shennong's Ladder" to commemorate a legendary emperor, Shennong, believed to be the founder of herbal medicine and agriculture. According to the legend, he heard about some special plants growing up high on a precipice, so he cut down a great tree and used it to climb to the site and reach the plants, which he added to his medical collection.
Over 1,000 meters above sea level on an average, it has six peaks measuring 3,000 meters above sea level, known as "The Roof of Central China". Here discovered are more than 2,000 species of wild plants, out of which over 30 belong to world's rarity or China's specialty, and 500 species of wild animals, comprising over 20 rare and precious types listed under the state protection.
No.1 Peak in Central China
It's the main peak of Shennongjia, 3,053 meters above sea level, towering face to face with the nearby Minfen Peak, of 3105 meters above sea level. Lofty and majestic, it glistens with the sun in one moment, but another moment gets lost in clouds and mist. From the top down, the Peak is covered, in three circumscribing tiers, with forests of firs, bamboo and cypresses. Stretching far and wide, the firs, with a trunk as tall as 40 meters, and of a circumference as long as four men's arms extended and linked, stand straight and upright with dense branches and foliage the sun light can hardly penetrate. The ground inside the forest is dotted with azaleas of various colors-pink, dark violet, crystal etc. The primeval forest looks fantastic. Climbing to the top of the lofty Peak, one enjoys a very pleasant view of the surrounding luxuriantly green mountains and ridges.
Hongping "Picture Gallery"
The 30 miles long valley is flanked by numerous craggy and perilous peaks, and gifted with 3 waterfalls, 5 pools, 6 caves, 7 springs and streams, 8 cliffs, 9 boulders, plus 4 bridges. In spring, all flowers burst into bloom. The waters are gurgling all the year round. "Every step is a picture", as some one acclaims. The Tianjing Cave (The Cave of Skylight) is endowed with a light shaft, through which the blue sky and drifting clouds over-head can be glimpsed. Within the Cave, there's another karats cave with a spring splashing down.
Reflections upon the Valley Lake
The lake, 15 km. long and 200 meters wide, is embraced at its two banks by the craggy cliffs overgrown with lush woods. Its smooth surface mirrors the peaks, trees and clouds, with the reflections merging into one with the waters, and looking as though fish swam among the trees in the lake, while birds flew amidst billowy water clouds.
Area of Concentration of white animals
In the area close to the summit of the Mountain, there exist a great variety of white animals such as white bears, white deers, white rats, white snakes, and white monkeys. Places like this are few and far between in China as well as in the rest of the world.
Shennongding
The pyramid-sharp Shennong Peak covers an area of about 2 square kilometers, rising from the centre to China to a height of 3105 meters above sea level. Clouds often nestle at the summit where ridges stretch on into the distance. The area is covered by tiers of fir, bamboo and azalea. The firs, as tall as 40 meters, have dense leaves on branches that block off the sunlight. The azaleas blossom with pink and violet in summer. The area is also home to some rare animals including the golden monkey, white bear and antelope.
Water is also a great natural gift Shennongjia has received. The whole region is crosscut and dotted by rivers, lakes, and pools, which looks like belt, neckties and hats of the splendid rocks.
To make the area more wonderful, long and zigzagging caves are dotted across the mountains. When entering a cave, summer could be easily forgotten, together with the outside world.
The natural beauty and its rich resources have long been cherished by its human ancestors. For tens of thousands of years, human activities have been booming in the area, leaving more than 1,000 cultural relics for the next generations to cherish.
