Wuyi Mountains: A refuge for wildlife
CGTN
02:47

Situated in southeast China, the Wuyi Mountains are a vast mountain region across both Jiangxi and Fujian Province. In 1999, the Wuyi Mountains were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for their natural and cultural value. UNESCO describes the region as "the most outstanding area for biodiversity conservation" and "a refuge for a large number of ancient, relict species, many of them endemic to China."

In the mountain region, more than 3,000 plant species can be found, such as southern hemlock, Chinese torreya and yew. More than 5,000 different species of animals have been identified. Birds, insects, amphibians and reptiles are wildly distributed in the forests. Hence, both Chinese and international biologists have named this place as "a kingdom of snakes," "a world of insects" and "a paradise of birds."

What also makes the Wuyi Mountains unique is the Danxia landform, a natural landscape in southeast, southwest and northwest China. It is characterized by red cliffs and erosional landforms, which are like no other landscape on earth. However, due to different climates, the Danxia landforms in northwest China are mostly characterized by red earth because the arid climate is not suitable for vegetation growth, while the Danxia landform at the Wuyi Mountains is covered with green plants and surrounded by mist. The Wuyi Mountains are sitting in the humid subtropical climate area, and the four seasons there are distinctive. They have brought about the Chinese Subtropical Forest and the South Chinese Rainforest.

The Wuyi Mountains are also known as "the homeland for tea" because two famous Chinese tea sorts, Lapsang Souchong and Wuyi rock tea, are originated in the region. Six Dahongpao tea trees also live on a cliff of the Wuyi Mountains. They are already more than 340 years old.

(Cover image a still from the video)

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