Shennongjia

Background

Shennongjia Forestry District is the only county-level administrative area in China named a “forestry district”. It was established with State Council approval in 1970, comes directly under Hubei Province and covers 3,253 square kilometers; the district seat is Songbai Town, and the main visitor hub is Muyu Town in the south. Shennongding peak rises to about 3,105 m (some sources give 3,106.2 m) and is one of the highest peaks in central China. On 17 July 2016, Hubei Shennongjia was inscribed on the World Heritage List as a natural site, China's 50th World Heritage property at the time, covering the Shennongding/Badong section in the west and the Laojunshan section in the east; it is also a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO Global Geopark. According to UNESCO, it preserves the largest primeval forest in central China, with 3,767 recorded species of vascular plants, more than 600 vertebrates and 4,365 insects, including rare species such as the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey, clouded leopard, leopard, Asian black bear and Chinese giant salamander; Shennongjia is also one of China's three centers of endemic plants. The district also has subalpine wetlands such as Dajiuhu Wetland.

Local customs

• Starting from Muyu Town, you can tour the Shennongding Scenic Area (primeval forest, alpine meadows, seas of cloud), Dajiuhu Wetland (alpine wetlands, lakes and meadows), Guanmenshan, Tianyan and other areas
• look for golden snub-nosed monkeys at field study or nature education sites (whether you see wild monkeys depends on the day)
• and watch the vegetation change in bands as the altitude rises.

Travel tips

• The district spans a big altitude range (about 398 m at its lowest to about 3,105 m at Shennongding), so temperatures vary markedly within a single day
• bring warm and rainproof clothing. Some core protected areas are closed and visits are limited to open scenic areas, so check each area's status before you go
• mountain roads are winding, so prepare if you are prone to car sickness
• altitude sickness is less of a risk than in high-altitude regions, but older visitors and those with heart or lung conditions should still take it easy. There is no rail or water transport, and access is mainly by road: the usual route runs from Yichang along the Yishen Highway to the Muyu Town area, or from Shiyan or Xiangyang
• getting between scenic areas inside the district requires vehicle transfers. Shennongjia Hongping Airport serves the district, but flights change often, so check official civil aviation information. Routes, schedules and fares follow official announcements.
• Summer is cool, the season for escaping the heat
• spring and autumn bring flowers and red leaves, with especially rich autumn colors
• in winter the high mountains are snow-covered and lovely, but some roads and scenic areas may be affected by weather, so confirm opening status in advance.