The Bond Between a Mountain and a Species
Fanjingshan is located in Tongren, Guizhou, and is the main peak of the Wuling Mountains, with a maximum elevation of 2572 m. It is also one of the earliest places in southern China to rise from ocean to land, and the summit still preserves primeval geological wonders. In 2018, Fanjingshan was inscribed on the World Natural Heritage List. For visitors preparing to go, understanding the significance of this mountain can begin with one species—the Guizhou golden monkey.
The Guizhou golden monkey is a rare primate endemic to Fanjingshan, known as the "spirit of Fanjingshan." Its existing population is small, and it is distributed only in the Fanjingshan area of the Wuling Mountains, making Fanjingshan its only habitat. Its numbers are fewer than those of the giant panda, and it is also called the "world's only child." This relationship means that the forests of Fanjingshan are not ordinary scenery, but the entire remaining home of a species.
Where It Lives and Whether Visitors Can See It
The Guizhou golden monkey inhabits evergreen and deciduous broad-leaved forests at elevations of about 1,000 to 2,000 m, and its movements are secretive. Ordinary visitors usually find it difficult to encounter one in the wild. Whether you meet wildlife depends on luck and season, so please treat it with an easy mind and observe quietly.
Besides the Guizhou golden monkey, the animal world of Fanjingshan also includes many members worth noting:
- Amphibians such as the giant salamander (wawayu) live in the mountain streams;
- Birds such as the white-necked long-tailed pheasant, Temminck's tragopan, and golden pheasant can be seen in the forests, along with common woodland birds such as the red-billed blue magpie;
- There are also mammals such as the Assamese macaque, rhesus macaque, clouded leopard, forest musk deer, tufted deer, serow, pangolin, mandarin duck, masked palm civet, and porcupine, together forming a complete forest ecology.
Why the Forest Here Is So Important
Fanjingshan has a well-preserved primeval forest ecosystem at the same latitude worldwide, contains a dove tree (handkerchief tree) forest of considerable area globally, and is one of the regions with the richest biodiversity at the same latitude in the world, known as a "gene bank of biological resources." Thousands of species of wild animals and plants thrive here, forest coverage is high, and it is an important refuge for rare animals and plants.
From evergreen broad-leaved forest at the foot of the mountain to deciduous broad-leaved forest higher up, the vertical vegetation zones are distinct; plant species are rich, and nationally protected plants include the dove tree, with large areas of dove tree distribution found here. The mountain has much cloud and mist and relatively abundant precipitation, creating unique sea of clouds and Buddha's halo scenery, and also making this a cool summer mountain resort with mild winters. Since ancient times, there has been talk of ten wonders: strange rocks, rare trees, Buddha's halo, sea of clouds, cloud waterfalls, wondrous springs, rare birds, exotic beasts, snow scenery, and the heavenly ladder. Landmark scenic spots include Hongyun Golden Summit, Moon Mirror Mountain, the Ten-Thousand-Meter Sleeping Buddha, Mushroom Rock, Ten Thousand Scrolls of Scriptures, Nine Dragons Pool, and Phoenix Mountain.
What You Can Do and Should Not Do While Visiting
Fanjingshan is noted for its unique mountain ecosystem and rich biodiversity, and is also a World Natural Heritage site. Every plant and tree, every rock and stream in the mountains is hard-won; with a little more care during your visit, the landscape will endure a little longer.
- Do not feed, chase, or disturb wild animals; keep a safe distance;
- Do not buy or carry wild animals or their products;
- Take your rubbish down the mountain with you or put it in sorting facilities; do not drop or bury it on site;
- Do not pick flowers or branches, and do not dig up plants;
- Walk along open trails; do not trample vegetation or enter closed areas;
- Do not waste resources on single-use items; reduce leftover food and packaging;
- Do not bring fire sources into the forest; help protect forest fire safety.
Leaving a wonderful experience for the next visitor is also protecting our own journey.