Abundant and varied flora
The flora of southern China is exceptionally rich, home to thousands of plant species, many of them endemic. The tropical forests of Yunnan are home to rubber trees, giant bamboos and over 1,500 varieties of orchid, making this region a botanical paradise. The mangroves of Guangdong and Hainan, essential to the coastal ecosystem, offer refuge to plants such as the red mangrove, vital for stabilizing soils and protecting against erosion. The Wuyi Mountains in Fujian are famous for their wild tea bushes, from which Da Hong Pao tea, one of the rarest and most expensive in the world, is produced. In all, the region is home to some 17,000 plant species, representing almost 50% of China's flora, with an exceptional concentration in the valleys of the Three Rivers parallel to Yunnan. The rice terraces of Yuanyang and Longsheng are also a unique example of coexistence between man and nature, where specific grasses thrive on stagnant water. This floral diversity is both an ecological treasure and a living testimony to the harmonious relationship between the environment and local cultures.
The Yunnan red panda
The red panda, or "little panda", is one of the jewels of Yunnan's mountain forests. With its flamboyant red coat and expressive snout, it embodies the unique diversity of this region's fauna. Arboreal by nature, he spends most of his time in the trees, feeding mainly on bamboo, although he also enjoys fruit and insects. Red pandas live in high-altitude temperate forests, particularly in bamboo-rich areas that provide them with essential shelter. In Yunnan, their population is estimated at a few hundred individuals, a small fraction of the total world population. However, their numbers are declining, mainly due to deforestation and agricultural expansion, which fragment their habitat. Conservation efforts, such as the creation of ecological corridors and captive breeding programs, are crucial to stabilizing their presence and ensuring their survival in this province.
Asian elephants
Asian elephants, majestic emblems of Asian fauna, find their last refuge in China in southern Yunnan. With an estimated population of around 300, these pachyderms live mainly in the tropical forests of Xishuangbanna and the surrounding plains, where they have a wealth of vegetation to feed on. These elephants are engineers of their ecosystem: by shaping the landscape through their movements and diet, they promote seed dispersal and maintain plant diversity. However, their habitat is gradually shrinking as a result of agricultural expansion and urbanization. These pressures have led to increasing interactions between elephants and human populations. A spectacular example of this occurred in 2021, when a group of 15 elephants embarked on an unusual migration across the province. These pachyderms traveled over 500 kilometers from the Xishuangbanna region to the outskirts of Kunming, passing through villages and towns, causing crop damage and attracting immense media attention. This odyssey highlighted the growing tensions between elephants and local communities, while raising global awareness of the need to protect their migratory corridors. In response, emergency measures were taken, including constant monitoring of the elephants using drones and logistical assistance to secure their return to a suitable forest area. The event also accelerated discussions on the creation of ecological corridors.
Pink dolphins
Pink dolphins, also known as Chinese white dolphins, are one of the aquatic wonders of southern China. These fascinating cetaceans live in the coastal waters and estuaries of the Pearl River delta, particularly around Hong Kong and Macau. Their distinctive pinkish hue, due to a particular blood circulation, gives them a unique allure and makes them an emblematic symbol of the region's marine biodiversity. Unfortunately, their population, estimated at less than 2,000 individuals, is in rapid decline due to pollution, heavy shipping traffic and increasing urbanization. Although protected by local laws and conservation efforts, these dolphins remain extremely vulnerable. Observing them in their natural habitat, during organized outings from the village of Tai O on Lantau in Hong Kong, offers a rare opportunity to appreciate their beauty.
Emblematic primates
The forests of southern China, particularly those of Zhangjiajie and the mountainous regions, are home to a wide variety of monkeys adapted to diverse environments. The monkeys of southern China are living treasures of biodiversity, both rare and fascinating. The white-headed langur, endemic to the karst formations of Guangxi, is one of the world's most endangered primates, with an estimated population of less than 250 individuals. Recognizable by its contrasting black and white coat, it lives in steep rocky areas, far from human disturbance.
Further north, in the mountains of Yunnan, the golden monkey dazzles with its flamboyant fur and pale blue muzzle. Adapted to high altitudes, they can withstand harsh climates while living in small social groups in bamboo forests. Both species share a fragile destiny, threatened by habitat loss due to human expansion.
Rare and unusual species
The Chinese Giant Salamander and Phryganistria chinensis Zhao are two fascinating species that illustrate the astonishing diversity of fauna in southern China. The Giant Salamander, the world's largest amphibian, can grow to an impressive 1.8 meters. Living in the cool rivers and watery caves of Guizhou and Guangxi provinces, it plays a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystem, but is now under serious threat from pollution and habitat destruction.
Another giant in the insect category, the Phryganistria chinensis Zhao, discovered in Guangxi in 2014, holds the record for the world's longest insect, at over 62 centimetres. Resembling a living branch, this giant stick insect is a perfect example of the adaptability of species to complex environments such as karst forests. It is extremely rare, with only around a hundred individuals known to exist.
National parks: sanctuaries of biodiversity
The tropical south of Yunnan province is the region with the greatest plant and animal diversity in China. A veritable treasure trove of biodiversity, this area is exceptionally rich in terms of both the variety of its ecosystems and the number of endemic species it shelters. The tropical region of Xishuangbanna, in southern Yunnan, is emblematic of this diversity. Its lush forests are home to Asian elephants, golden monkeys, Indochinese tigers and an incredible variety of tropical birds, including the two-horned hornbill. Plants are not to be outdone, with rare orchids, rubber trees and wild tea bushes, notably those producing the famous Pu'er tea, grown here for centuries. Further north, the valleys of the three parallel rivers, the Yangtze, Mekong and Salouen, form a UNESCO World Heritage site. This territory, marked by contrasting altitudes, is home to red pandas, snow leopards and Temminck's tragopans, a bird remarkable for its brightly colored feathers.
This richness is not limited to Yunnan. The Wuyi Mountains in Fujian province reveal ancient forests where giant ferns, camphor and magnolia trees thrive, along with wild tea bushes. In Jiangxi, the Lushan region is a haven for Tibetan macaques, which roam freely in its forests, while its spectacular waterfalls are home to aquatic species such as giant catfish. The karst areas of Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan and Yunnan fascinate with their surreal landscapes of sharp peaks and underground rivers, perfect habitats for the white-headed langur and the giant snail Phryganistria chinensis Zhao. Lake Dian in Yunnan is a vital ecosystem for hundreds of species of migratory birds, including purple herons and black-necked cranes. These national parks and nature reserves, which dot southern China, are havens of biodiversity.
Threats and conservation
Deforestation, largely caused by agricultural expansion and illegal logging, is drastically reducing the natural habitats of many species, such as Asian elephants and red pandas. Rapid urbanization, particularly in coastal areas such as the Pearl River Delta, is leading to increasing soil, water and air pollution, impacting both terrestrial and marine biodiversity, including pink dolphins. Climate change adds further pressure, with variations in temperature and rainfall disrupting the vital cycles of plants and animals. Faced with these challenges, China has stepped up its conservation efforts by multiplying the number of national parks and nature reserves, which today represent over 10,000 protected areas across the country. Initiatives such as the ecological corridors for elephants in Yunnan, the preservation of mangroves in Hainan, and captive breeding programs for rare species such as the bald-headed langur, illustrate efforts to restore and protect these natural treasures.
In addition, in 2021, China inaugurated its first set of national parks, covering 230,000 km². These parks, representing around 30% of the country's major animal species, stretch from the Tibetan plateau to the tropical forests of Hainan. This initiative follows recognition of the limitations of existing nature reserves and national parks, which are often fragmented and locally managed, hindering effective species protection. By centralizing the management of these areas, China aims to strengthen the conservation of its rich biodiversity. This is part of a wider effort to counter the collapse of biodiversity, as the country is home to the third largest number of animal species in the world, a significant proportion of which are in danger of extinction. We encourage you to observe protected species only on organized, environmentally-friendly outings.
