Bai Shan Zu Ecotourism Project

Tourist Guide

1 May 2007 - Tourist Maps:

A map of the conservation area showing locations and walking tracks in PDF format - View Map.



4 April 2007 - Visitor Pamphlet:

An information brochure is now available in PDF format - View Brochure.



18 Feb 2007 - Project Development:

The Bai Shan Zu Conservation Area tourist facilities are undergoing extensive repairs and renovations. This web page will provide regular updates on the progress of the development program. Currently only day trips into the conservation area are possible due to road and building damage caused by the typhoon last year.

For more information you can contact the Che Gen reception centre or use the contact form.



Transport Services

Qing Yuan County has five major roadways providing access for road transport within Zhejiang province and Fujian province.

Li Shui 每 Long Quan 每 Qing Yuan, 3rd grade sealed road (upgrading to Freeway)

Ju Shui 每 Zheng He (Fujian), unsealed gravel road (upgrading to Freeway)

Xin Yao 每 Song Xi (Fujian), unsealed gravel road (upgrading to 1st grade)

Qing Yuan 每 Jing Ning 每 Qing Tian, unsealed road (upgrading to 2nd grade)

Qing Yuan 每 Shou Ning (Fujian), unsealed road (upgrading to 2nd grade)

Bus services operate daily on all these routes. The major access route is the Li Shui 每 Long Quan 每 Qing Yuan City road. The upgrade to a high speed freeway is expected to be completed in 2006. A daily bus service operates between Qing Yuan City and Che Gen Reception Centre, Zhai Lang Village and Long Yan village.

Vehicle Access and Parking

Vehicle access from Qing Yuan city to Che Gen village is via the 4th grade sealed county road. Private vehicle use within the conservation area is restricted. All visitors are encouraged to use tourist buses or walk to minimise the impact on the environment and the requirements for road access and parking areas. The main vehicle parking facilities are at the Che Gen reception centre.

Accommodation

TBA:

Ecology

The Bai Shan Zu Nature Conservation Area is a valuable resource for ecotourism due to its intact forest ecology system. It is a focal point of the China Biodiversity Action Plan and listed by the China Environmental Protection Bureau as one of the top 20 biodiversity protection areas. The biological community is enormously valuable due to the diversity of flora and fauna, and the numerous rare and endangered species that inhabit the area. Bai Shan Zu is often referred to as the ※East China cradle of Ancient Species.

Amongst the more than 5000 identified species in Bai Shan Zu, 76 species are listed as endangered (21 plants & 55 animal species).

The South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) is one of five remaining tiger species in the world and is considered to be the progenitor species. It is found in central and eastern China and is listed as one of the top 10 most endangered animals in the world. The last sighting of the South China Tiger in Bai Shan Zu was in 1998 when a ranger from the Conservation Area Management Office observed an adult female and two cubs in a remote gorge near the centre of the conservation area. The adult female immediately fled, but the two cubs observed the ranger for several minutes before following their mother. There have been no direct sightings since then, but numerous occurrences of spoor have been found indicating that at least several adult tigers live in the area.

The dense forests of Bai Shan Zu provide and environment for a large and complex community of plants including, ferns, mosses and numerous flowering plants such as orchids and magnolias.

The most endangered tree species is the Bai Shan Zu Fir (Abies beshanzuensis), at one point only 3 specimens existed on the southern slopes of Bai Shan Zhi Zu mountain, but subsequent grafting experiments have proved successful. The Bai Shan Zu Fir was first discovered by Mr Wu Mingxiang in 1963 and was formally named in 1975.

The biodiversity of Bai Shan Zu is a remarkable natural resource that can be used as a driving force to promote sustainable development in the Bai Shan Zu area. An ecotourism program can provide environmental education, development funds and infrastructure to ensure the conservation of the ecosystem and its many rare and valuable species.

Scenic Areas

Bai Shan Zu is an ideal area for ecotourism due to its ancient geology, complex topography, diverse climate and rich biological heritage. It offers an opportunity for visitors from around the world to experience an environment of unsurpassed beauty and natural diversity.

A favourite spot for professional landscape photographers is the summit of Bai Shan Zu during sunrise and sunset. Spectacular scenes form over the landscape at all times of the year, with the most famous being the ※Yun Hai§ or ※Sea of Clouds§ that occurs when layers of mist and cloud fill the valleys leaving the mount peaks and ridgelines standing in sharp relief against the rising or setting sun.

In the valleys and gorges, sparkling, crystal clear streams and pools joined by long cascading waterfalls run through narrow steep sided ravines and gorges. The most famous being Bai Pu Gou or One Hundred Waterfalls Ravine. Other areas such as Bai Shan Zu Mountain area, and the Chu Mu Yu - San Jing Xi areas also have numerous scenic attractions.

Bai Pu Gou Scenic Area 每 Qian Ceng Pu, Bing Pu, Hu Xiao Pu, Kong Que Pu, Ma Yi Pu, San Qu Pu, Bai Die Pu.

San Jing Xi Scenic Area 每 Long Jiang Yi, Long Jiang Er, Long Jiang San.

Bai Shan Zu Scenic Area 每 Yun Hai, Liao Wang Tai, Lao Hu Gou.

Cha Mu Yu Scenic Area 每 Yu Lu Cha Ting, Jie Mei Song, Xiang Gu Wan, Xian Ren Gu, etc.

Ban Keng Scenic Area

Qi Keng Scenic Area