Baishui River Nature Reserve is located on the northwestern edge of the Sichuan Basin, within the territory of Pengzhou City. It is a nature reserve dedicated to the protection of rare wild animals and plants, such as giant pandas, and the biodiversity within the area. The reserve is exceptionally rich in both natural and cultural resources.
Located in the southwestern mountains of China, which are listed as one of the world’s 25 biodiversity hotspots, the reserve is part of a temperate forest ecosystem with rich biodiversity. It is also one of the regions with cultural diversity in China, with 17 of the country’s 55 ethnic minorities residing in the southwestern mountains.
The Baishui River Reserve is a haven for a variety of rare and endemic flora and fauna. Its rich biodiversity has also created a wealth of vivid ecological tourism resources. The reserve features towering and perilous mountains, majestic waterfalls, spectacular sea of clouds, brilliant sunrises, and mystical rainbows, painting a picture of an ecological tourism destination that combines scenic, aquatic, atmospheric, and cultural landscapes.
The reserve’s mountains are peculiar, with peaks standing in various forms, and their names alone evoke a sense of wonder, such as Jiufeng Mountain, Sankou Guo, Taizi City, and Shenxian Rock. The mountain ranges, stone peaks, and stalagmites are abrupt, steep, and majestic, stretching across the landscape. Above an altitude of 4000 meters, the stone glaciers and stone seas have different origins and forms, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of nature.
The deep mountain gorges are a distinctive natural feature of the reserve. Almost all rivers, whether main streams or tributaries, are characterized by high mountains, narrow valleys, and steep slopes, forming deep gorges. The Yinchang Gully canyon plank road, for instance, is 3000 meters long, built against the mountains and standing by the water, offering a hiking experience that feels like traversing through a time tunnel, with everything remaining pristine and natural.
The rich flora and vegetation nurture abundant groundwater, and the high mountain snow also provides a significant amount of water resources for the reserve. Waterfalls such as Dalongtan Falls, Xiaolongtan Falls, Baizhang Falls, Zhenzhu Curtain Falls, Laoying Rock Falls, and Luohong Falls cascade down like a thousand feet, reminiscent of the Milky Way falling from the heavens.
The reserve is open all year round and accessible 24/7.
