China is not usually synonymous with exotic destinations; however, JianFeng Ling Nature Reserve offers a lush landscape to rival that of Thailand, Malaysia or any it’s tropical neighbors.
JianFeng Ling Nature Reserve is China’s largest tropical rainforest park and was established in July 1997. The highest point of the park soars to 1,412 meters while the lowest area is a mere 200m above sea level. This massive difference in elevation has created eight ecosystems that are home to a diverse range of wild and plant life which includes 2,800 different ferns, 300 types of trees and 4,300 different species of animals.
A handful of hotels within the park provide a convenient base point and comfortable resting place. The Arboretum is a good starting point for any trail, as the clearly labelled collection provides an informative guide to the numerous species of trees. Hikers of all levels can reach the highest summit, and its vista of the southwestern highlands makes it well worth the climb. Visitors to the reserve have the opportunity to unearth a seldom seen side of China.
Getting There & Away
The closest airport, Sanya Phoenix International Airport connects with 40 domestic destinations, but the daily one-hour flight from Hong Kong is the most popular route. From the airport visitors can take a minibus to the park.