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Yachang Orchid Nature reserve
The Yachang Orchid Nature Reserve, often described as a natural “orchid garden,” is famous for the remarkable density and diversity of its wild orchids. The orchids grow abundantly throughout the forest, covering rocky outcrops and forming large patches that dominate the understory of the subtropical broad-leaved forest.
This extraordinary concentration of wild orchids can be found among the hills and limestone mountains of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, with elevations reaching around 3,280 feet (1,000 meters). The combination of limestone landscapes, subtropical forests and a relatively undisturbed natural environment provides ideal conditions for a wide variety of orchid species.
Located in a remote part of Guangxi, the reserve was once extremely difficult to reach. Before the construction of new roads, the journey from Nanning, the capital of Guangxi, could take as long as two days. Today, improved transportation has reduced the journey to approximately six or seven hours.
The area’s remoteness, its status as a provincial forest and its relatively low human population helped preserve this remarkable natural environment for many years. It may seem surprising that such a rich and largely untouched ecosystem could remain relatively unknown in a densely populated region, but Yachang is a wonderful example of the biodiversity that can still be found in southern China.
Discovery and Protection
The exceptional orchid diversity of Yachang was not officially recognized until 2004. Local forestry officials attended a meeting where they learned more about wild orchids and subsequently realized that many of the plants growing at Yachang were orchids. They also recognized that the extraordinary abundance and diversity of these orchids made the 
area particularly valuable for conservation.
area particularly valuable for conservation.
Foresters naturally tend to have greater expertise in trees and other major forest plants than in orchids and other herbaceous species. Once the importance of Yachang’s orchid population became clear, however, the Guangxi Forest Bureau moved quickly to protect the area.
In 2005, the orchid-rich forests and surrounding areas were officially protected as the Yachang Orchid Reserve, helping safeguard one of Guangxi’s most important natural habitats for wild orchids.
Biodiversity of Yachang Orchid Reserve
The Yachang Orchid Reserve covers approximately 85 square miles (220 square kilometers) and has an elevation range of about 1,300 to 6,460 feet (400 to 1,970 meters). Its varied terrain, limestone mountains and subtropical forests create a wide range of habitats for plants and other wildlife.
So far, around 130 species of orchids and approximately 2,400 species of vascular plants have been recorded within the reserve. This remarkable plant diversity makes Yachang an important destination for botanists, nature enthusiasts and travelers interested in China’s unique ecosystems.
For visitors, Yachang Orchid Nature Reserve offers an opportunity to experience a relatively pristine natural environment away from China’s major tourist centers. The combination of wild orchids, limestone mountains and subtropical forests makes it one of the most distinctive nature destinations in Guangxi.
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