Maolan Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 1996, in China. Maolan Biosphere Reserve lies in southern Guizhou, close to the Guangxi border in south-west China. Here, one of the world’s best-preserved karst forests spreads across more than 20,000 hectares, with forest cover above 90%. Cone peaks and cockpit depressions hold clear streams, karst ponds and underground rivers, creating a landscape as hydrologically rich as it is visually striking. Ecologically, the site is a living repository of subtropical biodiversity, including many species found only on limestone. The reserve aims to protect the unique karst forest ecosystem and its diverse flora and fauna.