Jishou Donghe National Wetland Park, Hunan
Located at E109°30'31.3"-109°50'33.3" and N28°8'42.2"-28°28'16.9", Jishou Donghe National Wetland Park boasts a marvelous landform, captivating hydrological landscape, enchanting biodiversity, and abundant interconnected water systems. It is a stunning wetland known for its "green mountains surrounded by water," where "cars traverse through the crystal-clear river," and a place featuring “lush mountains, lucid waters, strange caves, and charming customs."
Situated on the western border of Hunan Province, the Wetland Park is adjacent to Luxi County in the southeast, borders Huayuan County to the west, and is close to Fenghuang County in the south. It is easily accessible, with Jiaoliu (Jiaozuo-Liuzhou) Railway and National Highway 209 connecting it to Baojing and Guzhang counties. The park covers several towns and townships, including Aizhai, Zhaiyang, Donghe, Taiping, Hexi, and Shuangtang.
The Wetland Park covers a total area of 9,253.78 hectares, including 2,850.89 hectares of wetland areas. It is home to 232 species of wetland plants belonging to 134 genera and 64 families. They include: 11 species of ferns from nine genera and nine families; 221 species of angiosperms from 125 genera and 55 families (including 169 species of dicotyledonous plants from 84 genera and 41 families, and 52 species of monocotyledonous plants from 41 genera and 14 families).
The park harbors 256 species of wild vertebrate animals, including 33 species of aquatic vertebrates (with four orders and 11 families of fish) and 223 species of terrestrial vertebrates (including 18 amphibian species, 27 reptile species, 89 bird species, and 33 mammal species). The park exhibits a rich diversity of species compared to similar park areas.
The Wetland Park is home to two species of animal under first-class state protection, namely the Golden Eagle and Chinese Barred-backed Pheasant. Additionally, it hosts 23 species of animal under the second-class state protection, including the Chinese Giant Salamander, East Asian Bullfrog, Eastern Buzzard, Golden Pheasant, Eastern Grass-owl, Common Kestrel, Large Indian Civet, and Eurasian River Otter. These protected animals primarily consist of wild birds and mammals.
The park features several attractions that showcase the park's rich historical and cultural heritage as well as the vibrant ethnic minority culture. These attractions include the wonder of Aizhai Bridge, the old town area of Qianzhou in Jishou, the millennium-old hanging coffins of Baxian Lake, the Xiaoxi Forest Ecological Protection Area, and the Miao ethnic village of Aizhai.
Since ancient times, the area encompassed by Jishou Donghe National Wetland Park has been a recreational destination for local residents, tourists, and boatmen, particularly for poets and scholars seeking inspiration. The park's ancient folk customs, combined with its cultural landmarks such as Wuxi Academy, Fubo Palace dedicated to the famous Eastern Han general Ma Yuan, Guanyin Pavilion from the Qing Dynasty, and the "Hong Family Courtyard" from the Qing Dynasty, as well as the tomb of the heroic figure Luo Rongguang who resisted the Eight-Nation Alliance, the hometown of national hero Yang Yuebin who recaptured Taiwan, and the former residence of renowned painter Zhang Yizun, all showcase the cultural advantages and abundant tourism resources of Jishou Donghe National Wetland Park.
