National parks of China: names and photos
Awesome country China. On its territory are priceless monuments of ancient history and architecture, which are organically combined with an unusually beautiful nature. The country occupies a vast territory with different geographical conditions, which affected its landscape.
Today in China is aboutthree hundred reserves and national parks. They occupy more than 2% of its entire area. China's national parks (and reserves) are created to conserve endangered species of plants, animals and birds. In addition, they contribute to the development and popularization of tourism. To all who want to see the most amazing places of our planet, we recommend starting an acquaintance with the Celestial Empire.
As you guessed, in this article we are with youmake a virtual trip to China. Examples of reserves and national parks, presented below, will help you to learn a little more about this mysterious country. And, probably, someone will decide to go on an exciting trip to see everything with your own eyes.
China: nature reserves and national parks
The Shuantai-Hakou Reserve is one of the brightest (inin the literal and figurative sense of the word) of the country's natural attractions. The world famous red beach has an unusually bright color due to seaweed. They die in the Liao River delta in the very beginning of autumn. They paint it in juicy and bright colors.
On unusual shades of this landscape it is possible induring the year to admire for several weeks: the algae begin to blossom in April, in May they are green, and closer to autumn they acquire a bright scarlet color. Especially beautiful beaches at low tide.
In addition to unusual landscapes, this reserveIt is famous for its large number of birds. Here you can see very rare Japanese cranes. Unfortunately, they are on the brink of extinction. In total, this reserve, with an area of 600 thousand hectares, accommodates more than 236 species of birds, 30 of them are protected by the state. Come here better in early September, when the algae blossom. The reserve is located near the cities of Panshan and Yingkou.
Sanctuary of Yanod
Today, a lot of tourists visit China. Reserves and national parks are included in the excursion routes. One of the most popular and visited ones is the Yanod Reserve, which is located in the area of the Qixian Range, near the Wu-Zhishan Mountain.
In an area of 45 square kilometersrelict forests and plants, the age of which numbered hundreds, and some species and thousands of years, have been preserved. The government spent more than 4 billion yuan on the creation of this reserve.
The territory is divided into two zones: "Valley of dreams" and "Valley of the jungle." They are united by a pendant bridge, thrown across the gorge. In the reserve there are several lakes, a waterfall, small mountain rivers and hot springs. Attractions Yanoda - aqua center, which contains two thousand species of fish, Menghuang Canyon, Jingshi Gorge, plantations of tropical plants, the gorge of Yaoshi, which is called the "Canyon of Pharmacists".
There is also the picturesque Shengxiao Square. This is a huge flower field, which is divided into twelve sectors. In its center are figures of animals from the Chinese horoscope. The reserve is located 35 kilometers from the city of Sanya. Here, excursion groups are formed. One part of the route tourists cross on the bus, and the other - on foot.
Huanglong Wildlife Refuge
For travelers at all times causedgreat interest country China. Reserves and national parks on its territory cause admiration for the thoughtfulness of tourist routes, as well as for its well-groomed nature.
Huanglong is located in the north of Sichuan,near the city of Jeju (50 km). Its name translates as "Yellow Valley of the Dragon". This picturesque area is famous for tuff terraces, numerous lakes of unusual shapes and colors of water, waterfalls and caves.
The reserve is 40 thousand hectares. On its territory, a huge number of rare and endangered species of animals that have long been included in the Red Book, for example, a giant panda, feel comfortable. Here is the highest in the country waterfall Zhaga, the height of 93 meters. The main attraction of the reserve are the travertine terraces.
Such a landscape was formed as a result oferosion of groundwater limestone and rocks. Limestone came to the surface and settled in the form of amazing formations. For the same reason, Huanglong has many lakes, waterfalls, rapids. On the territory of this reserve, the Fujian River originates, which is known for a direct main stream and zigzag tributaries. The valley is surrounded on two sides by coniferous and deciduous forests.
What national parks are there in China?
At the beginning of this article, we talked about the huge number of parks and reserves in the country. We will introduce you to the most popular of them.
Yading
Attractions of this amazing country are of interest to all who come to China. What reserves and national parks do experienced tourists recommend to examine first?
In the Gardze-Tibet Autonomous Region (Sichuan Province) there is a very beautiful national park Yading. This place is revered by Buddhists. There are three sacred mountains:
- Chana Dorje (in translation from Tibetan - "Force").
- Manjusri (meaning "Wisdom").
- Chenrezig (or Xian Naiji, translates as"Compassion"). Its height is 6032 meters. The Tibetan mountain of Chenrezig is sacred. Around her make a bark. This is a rite of purification. Tourists try to bypass all the most beautiful places, located on both sides of the mountain. But you can do this at least two days, so if you have enough time, do not refuse this excursion.
Snow-covered summits formed an unusuala triangular mountain landscape with forest valleys, clear lakes and rivers that were formed as a result of the melting of glaciers. This place, like other national parks in China, is famous for its rich fauna.
Lushan
Today thousands of tourists from all over the world visitChina. Reserves and national parks, whose names are rather complicated for the pronunciation of Europeans, are of great interest. Many of them are objects of UNESCO's cultural heritage. For example, Lushan National Park, which covers an area of more than 300 square kilometers. It is located south of Jiujiang City, in Jiangxi Province, near Poyang Lake.
This national park has about a hundredmountain peaks, among them Hanpoline, Shuangjianfeng, Shansofeng. The highest mountain is Dahanyanfen (1474 m). There are many waterfalls here: Sanctiquan, Shimenjian, Kaixian. The climate is average - the summer is very warm (in July + 25.8 degrees Celsius), and the winter is mild (in January the average temperature is +7.3 degrees). In the UNESCO heritage list, the park was incorporated in 1996.
Lushan Mountain has several Taoist andBuddhist temples, as well as the school of Zhu Xi (neo-Confucian). All these attractions are surprisingly in harmony with natural beauty. The main attractions of the park are: huts of hermits; the building of the Eighth Plenum of the Central Committee of 1959; Buddhist Temple of Zhushan;
- flower paths;
- the holy cave;
- valley;
- waterfalls;
- mountain streams;
- lakes;
- forests;
- sources;
- Botanical Garden.
Geopark Arshan
Far from all the national parks of China haveits territory hot springs. In the geopark of Arshan, in an area of 814 square kilometers there are 76 springs, the water in which is curative, and therefore tourists are happy to go on this route.
The park is located in the autonomous region of InnerMongolia, not far from the Arshan County, in the center of the Great Khingan mountain system. A vast territory, with a glacial and volcanic relief, has dense forests, boundless steppes, azure lakes and rivers. In addition, the park is a volcano Halacha, an extraordinary beauty of the mountain lake Tianchi, whose name translates as "Pond in Heaven." It is located at an altitude of 1300 meters above sea level.
Zhangjiajie Park
And finally, we want to introduce you one of thethe oldest, the most popular and most visited National Park Zhangjiajie (China). A unique nature reserve is located in the southeastern province of Hunan, which is located 32 km from the city of the same name. It was created to protect rare species of animals and plants, as well as amazing rocky landscapes.
The beauty of this part of the Wulingyuan Massifappreciated and worthy of European tourists. Agents of travel companies recommend to plan a trip to these places for the spring or autumn. The exception is the beginning of May and October, when national holidays are held in China and the park is flooded with crowds of locals. In the peak season - in the summer - there is also a lot of people: if you find uninhabited corners during walks in the park is still possible, then it is difficult to squeeze into overcrowded buses or stay without a place to sleep because of problems with booking - the pleasure is rather doubtful.
In winter, rocky peaks look very impressive, but it's not safe to travel on snow-covered mountain paths.
Title History
Chinese researchers are still arguing overabout the name of the park. There are several versions of his appearance. Most historians tend to believe that the name of Zhang Liang lies in it. This disgraced aristocrat, who played a major role in the formation of the Han dynasty, but as a result was forced to hide with his family in the vicinity of the current reserve in the II century BC. e. Here he died and was buried.
This information is reliable, confirmednumerous written sources. There are legends that tell gullible tourists: until now they are shown several graves of Zhang Liang, located in different parts of Hunan. The "main" one is located near the village of Zhangjiajie at the border of the park.
Description of the park
Originally, in 1982, the National ParkZhangjiajie (China), photo of which we placed below, occupied a modest in size territory - 4810 hectares. After 10 years, Wulingyuan mountains, as well as Zhangjiajie, were included in the UNESCO list. Immediately thereafter, the size of the park was increased to 130 square kilometers.
Rocks
On a vast territory there are 243 mountains. Their average height is 800 m, although there are also giants, the height of more than three thousand meters. Popular viewing platform, Huangshi, towers above sea level at 1300 meters, to it is 3800 steps. The rocks resemble easily collapsing limestones, but this is only, at first glance.
Mountains that resemble huge curly candles,appeared in the process of weathering quartz sandstones, as well as the gradual "subversive" work of plant roots, which in Zhangjiajie, thanks to high humidity, a huge amount. They do not miss the slightest opportunity to seize new territories. The tops of the rocks cover dense thickets of coniferous species. When fog comes down here (in Zhangjiajie it happens very often), it seems that giant stone fragments are floating in the air.
Popular tourist routes
It should be noted that all national parksChina is very convenient for visiting tourists. Zhangjiajie is no exception. There are a lot of tourist routes laid for every taste, but there are some objects that must be seen if you come here.
First of all we recommend that you climb toviewing platform Huangshi and visit the source of Golden Whip, which stretches for 7.5 kilometers. All attractions of the park connects the cable car. At the end of the Golden Whip is the Baileong Survey Lift.
It is located in the center of the park. Built in 2002, the lift of the "hundred Dragons" immediately took its rightful place in the Guinness Book of Records. It is recognized as the highest and fastest open lift in the world - the lift is capable of raising to a height of 330 meters to 50 tourists at a time. Its ceiling is mirrored, and the walls are made of high-strength glass. Delightful scenery can be admired from the pedestrian walkway with a glass floor. It is located at an altitude of 1430 meters.