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Spectacular rocks and rare species
By UNESCO website |
November 25, 2012, Sunday
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WULINGYUAN Scenic and Historic Interest Area lies in the Wulingyuan District of the city of Dayong in Hunan Province and covers the entire drainage basin of the Suoxi Brook, which winds for 69 kilometers through the site. The most notable feature, dominating about two-thirds of the site, are more than 3,000 quartzite sandstone pillars and peaks. Between the peaks are ravines and gorges, many containing streams, pools and waterfalls.
The site also contains a number of karst features, notably some 40 caves which are concentrated on the banks of the Suoxiyu River and the south-east side of Tianzi Mountain. Huanglong or Yellow Dragon Cave is said to be one of the 10 largest caves in China. Spectacular calcite deposits are a major feature of many of these caves.
There are two spectacular natural bridges: Xianrenqiao (Bridge of the Immortals) and Tianqiaohengkong (Bridge Across the Sky). It lies 357 meters above the valley floor and may be the highest natural bridge in the world.
Wulingyuan was a refuge for many ancient plant species during the Quaternary glacial period and some 3,000 species of plant occur within the area.
It is also home to some endangered species of animals including the Chinese giant salamander, Asiatic wild dog, Asiatic black bear, clouded leopard, leopard and Chinese water deer.
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area was made a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.
The site also contains a number of karst features, notably some 40 caves which are concentrated on the banks of the Suoxiyu River and the south-east side of Tianzi Mountain. Huanglong or Yellow Dragon Cave is said to be one of the 10 largest caves in China. Spectacular calcite deposits are a major feature of many of these caves.
There are two spectacular natural bridges: Xianrenqiao (Bridge of the Immortals) and Tianqiaohengkong (Bridge Across the Sky). It lies 357 meters above the valley floor and may be the highest natural bridge in the world.
Wulingyuan was a refuge for many ancient plant species during the Quaternary glacial period and some 3,000 species of plant occur within the area.
It is also home to some endangered species of animals including the Chinese giant salamander, Asiatic wild dog, Asiatic black bear, clouded leopard, leopard and Chinese water deer.
Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area was made a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.
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