Mount Tianmu – A Biodiversity Treasure House

Tianmu Mountain National Nature Reserve, hailed as a “biodiversity treasure chest” is a famous tourist attraction located in Lin’an County in Northwestern Zhejiang Province. Mount Tianmu is renowned for plenty of giant trees, waterfalls, peaks surrounded by clouds, bamboo shoots, temples, and nunneries, and odd shaped rocks. Tianmu Mountain National Nature Reserve covers a total area of 4,284 hectares. It is features a long history of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

Mount Tianmu mainly consists of two peaks named Great Celestial Immortal Peak (Daxianding) to the east and Celestial Immortal Peak (Xianrending) to the west respectively. On the top of each peak, there situated two lakes look like two eyes. That is the origin of the mountain’s name “Tianmu” (Heaven’s Eyes Mountains). Ancient Chinese believed they’re the skies’ eyes.

Biologically speaking, Mount Tianmu is home to more than 2,000 plant species include massive ancient Japanese cedars and the world’s last wild gingko forest. They’re also the dwelling place of dozens of fauna varieties, including rare beasts as snow leopards and black muntjacs.

Many of Tianmu’s geological contortions have been named after the legends include the Immortal Sawing Board, Treasured Sword Stone and Drooping Rainbow Stone Bridge. The Red Pool is said to be where Eastern Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) hermit Zhang Daoling (the founder of the Way of Celestial Masters Taoist sect), conjured his pills of immortality.

Mount Tianmu’s natural wonders make it popular among hikers and tourists. The Mount Tianmu’ botanical and zoological marvels remain some of the world’s best preserved. Many species are particular to the range. Consequently, 37 plants and 169 insects bear “Tianmu” in their names. Many of Tianmu’s trees are more than 1,000 years old, 2 meters in diameter and 40 meters high. Old, thick, tall trees create trellises fleeced with moss, strangled by vines, plumed with ferns and crested by a verdant canopy.

“Every crumple of Tianmu’s topography features natural splendors and mysticisms manifested as fables.” There couldn’t be better description of Mount Tianmu.

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