Luxi Tianqiao Mountain Evegreen Paradise: True Lost World

#discoverchina Luxi Tianqiaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve is a protected area located in Luxi County, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hunan Province, China. Established as a county-level reserve in 1998 and upgraded to provincial status in 2011, it covers 13,878 hectares with an impressive forest coverage rate of 94%. The reserve serves as a crucial biodiversity hotspot in the Wuling Mountains-Snow Mountains transitional zone. Ecological Significance The reserve protects: -Unique purple sandstone ecosystems rarely found in central-southern China, -Subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests with complex, stable structures, -1,373 plant species (including 27 fern families, 161 seed plant families), -231 vertebrate species across 5 classes, -2,073 insect species from 18 orders. The reserve boasts two remarkable millennium-old ginkgo trees: 2,600-year-old "Ginkgo King": 28m tall, 8m circumference at Huayan Pavilion 2,300-year-old "sister tree" at Juntingjie These ancient trees have survived lightning strikes, frost, and heavy snow, remaining vital parts of the local ecosystem and cultural heritage. Geological Landscape The reserve features: -Tianqiao Ancient Path: A breathtaking cliffside trail only 1-person wide, -70-degree steep ridges with ingenious temple constructions, -Unique purple sandstone formations with fragile but well-preserved ecosystems. Tianqiaoshan combines ecological and cultural significance: -Buddhist-Taoist integration: Rare coexistence of both religions, -Historical sites: Temples dating back to Tang-Song dynasties, -"Five Wonders": -Summit views, -Buddhist-Taoist harmony, -Cliffside paths, -North Pole celestial ladder, -Millennium ginkgos. The reserve serves as: -Biological gene bank for subtropical species, -Ecological research base for purple soil vegetation recovery, -Biodiversity monitoring station with 13 newly discovered Hunan species records. Researchers from multiple universities have recognized its value for studying fragile purple soil ecosystems and their restoration. Luxi Tianqiaoshan Provincial Nature Reserve exemplifies China's ecological conservation efforts, protecting unique purple sandstone ecosystems, ancient flora, and diverse wildlife while maintaining cultural heritage. Its successful integration of protection, research, and sustainable tourism makes it a model for nature reserves in subtropical area.