Shennongjia Scenic Area
The Shennongjia Scenic Area (http://english.cri.cn/725/2005/10/12/168@24333.htm) consists of many graceful peaks, ancient tall trees, clouds, streaming springs and pouring cascades. The scenic zones now open to tourists include Yantian, Hongping Gallery, Shennongtan, Shennongding and Laojun Mountain, with the best scenery to be found in the Hongping Gallery Scenic Zone. Other must-see spots and things in the Shennongjia Scenic Area include the cliff carving of Shennong, ancient botanical garden, thousand-year-old fir tree, and the Shennong Altar.
In addition, Shennongjia boasts a complete subtropical forest eco-system, which is of great significance for the ecological balance of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and all of central China. More than 3,000 plant species grow in its forests, and 50 of them are under state-level protection. Among the 500 types of animals roaming the region, 64 are rare and endangered, including the golden haired monkey, South China tiger, leopard, Sika deer and golden eagle.
