Dinghu Mountain

Dinghu Mountain and Lake (Chinese: 鼎湖山) is located in Dinghu District, 18 km to the east of Zhaoqing City, in the Dayunwu Mountain Range, in Guangdong Province of southern China. It is one of the four famous mountains - Danxia, Dinghu, Xiqiao and Luofu in Guangdong province. The mountain's peaks rise above ancient towering trees, flying waterfalls, fresh air, various birds and colorful flowers. Since ancient times, it has been a tourist attraction and a Buddhist sacred place. Its shrines attract up to 1 million visitors per year (1997). The Dinghu Mountain National Nature Reserve, established in 1956, was the first nature reserve in China. It is also among the first group of designated scientific research stations of the UNESCO "Man and Natural Biosphere" (since 1979). Dinghu Mountain is known as a living nature museum and a green treasure house. With abundant plant species, it is home to over 500 species of plants, including 23 rare species in imminent danger under state protection. It is also home to various kinds of animals, including 178 species of birds and 38 species of mammals, 15 species of which are under state protection.