Tangjiahe Panda Reserves

[chengdupanda]

The Tangjiahe Nature Reserve established in 1978 covers an area of 400 square kilometres, including 170 square kilometres of forests. This nature reserve is located in Qingchuan County on the northwestern edge of Sichuan Basin, on the southern slope of the Motian Ridge and the northwest of Longmen Mountain. The complicated terrain inclines from northwest to southeast. The Motian Ridge in the north stands 3,000 metres above sea level, the Dacaoping in the northwest has an elevation of 3,837 metres while the area in the valley is 1,500 metres or less above sea level.

The giant pandas in this reserve are in a great number and concentrated in the areas with an elevation of 1,700 - 3000 metres. These areas abound in arrow bamboo resources and provide rich food and a good living environment for giant pandas. Also the area boasts Baixiongping Ecological Observation Station, the world known second open observation station for giant pandas. The Tangjiahe Nature Reserve has a great value in the protection and scientific research for giant pandas and related education. With an elevation of from 1150 meters to 3837 meters and rich in biological resources, there are diverse recourses in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve.According to investigation, there are 430 kinds of vertebrates which belong to 257 genera of 101 families, including 72 state-level key protected species. Among them, 13 are listed as first-class protected species such as giant panda, golden monkey and takin. It is said about 60 giant pandas, more than 1000 golden monkeys and over 1200 takins living here.

Tangjiahe also boasts 2422 identified vegetation species that belong to 969 genera of 267 families, including 12 state –level key protected species. Tetracentraceae, euptelea, ceridiphyllum japonicum, magnolia denudate and other ancient tertiary relict plants can all be found there. Among the state-protected endangered plants, 4 are under first-class protection including ginkgo, dove tree and yew.

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