Chongqing- Chongqing's Wulipo National Nature Reserve was listed as a world natural heritage site at the 44th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO on July 28th, raising the total number of world natural heritage sites in Chongqing to three. On the press conference of the following day in Chongqing, the related officers announced the heritage site’s development plans.

World heritage protection

There are many kinds of animals and plants on the nation’s first and second species levels within the reserve, among which are 38 rare and endangered animal species, which is also the key reason to win the world heritage title. Wulipo National Nature Reserve is named “The Last Shangri-La in Chongqing,” golden monkey, golden eagle, ginkgo, Chinese yew are wildly distributed in the reserve.

Wushan county Chongqing, where Wulipo National Nature Reserve is located, has established a World Natural Heritage Office and an Alliance of Nature Reserves (joined up with West Region of Hubei Province and East Region of Chongqing Municipality). By these mechanism updates and administrative adjustments it is expected to continuously improve the ability and level of heritage protection on the biological species and maintain the authenticity and diversity of the whole nature reserve.  

Developing ecotourism

Undoubtedly, the world heritage title is a big driver for the tourism section. Not only for Wushan county but Chongqing Municipality and Hubei province will also benefit from it. Officers of Chongqing Culture and Tourism Commission pointed that they are striving to promote a series of new products and routes to build a golden tourism belt, which includes two world heritage sites, 3 AAAAA tourist attractions, such as Wushan Three Gorges, Wulipo Grand Canyon, Shennongjia Dajiuhu Wetland Park, and Three Gorges Dam Scenic area. The surrounding cities like Wanzhou, Yunyang, Fengjie, Yichang, Badong, and Shennongjia Forestry District will launch many one-day tours and multi-day tours, integrate airways, bullet trains, cruise ships, and tour buses, to improve and promote the construction and services of the Yangtze River Three Gorges International Gold Tourism Belt.

Chongqing Culture and Tourism Commission highlighted a range of inquiry learning-based tourism activities to educate college and high school students to know more about the world's natural heritage. It aims to protect the natural heritage and spread the natural heritage culture. In the future, they will also further promote the outstanding value of Chongqing Wulipo's natural resources by developing cultural and creative products.   

Traveler’s tips

Wulipo National Nature Reserve is located in Dangyang township, Wushan County, Chongqing. Currently, tourists can reach Wushan county by either plane or expressway, and the Zhengzhou-Wanzhou high-speed rail that goes through Wushan county is expected to open in 2022. Wulipo is a fairyland of mountains, canyons, and meadows, and the scenery is spectacularly beautiful. The travelers should be aware that they're not allowed to get into the reserve's core area. However, they can still experience it at several open spots near the reserve.

Day 1 Wushan county-Dangyang township 

There’re several shuttle buses between Wushan county, and Dangyang township, the altitude of the township government is below 1,000 meters, Dangyang township can provide a dozen of hotels (or farmhouses) for accommodation, the township is a way station to the Dangyang Grand Canyon and Pinghe Grand Canyon.

Day 2 Dangyang township-Gaoping village-Congping Mountain Wetland

There’s no shuttle bus to Gaoping village. The only way is to drive or rent a car, it takes about 30 minutes to drive, and the road conditions are good. Gaoping village is quite close to the Wulipo National Nature Reserve. It is reported to be almost uninhabited.

The footpath between Gaoping village and Congping Mountain Wetland Park is in good condition. It takes about 90 minutes to walk, the altitude of Congping Mountain Wetland is about 2,100 meters. Surrounded by mountains, it is covered by endless meadows, which is a good place to cool off in summer and watch the colorful forest in autumn.