Chebaling Biosphere Reserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, inscribed 2007, in China. Chebaling lies in south-eastern Shixing County, Guangdong Province, on the southern foothills of the Nanling Mountains. It protects subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest and forms the headwaters of the Hengdu and Zhangdongshui rivers, which feed the Beijiang system. The forest’s hydrological function supports irrigation on the Shixing Plain, known as the granary of northern Guangdong, while helping to stabilise soils and maintain downstream water quality. The site serves both as a conservation area and a hub for science and education, conserving species and ecosystems, securing water resources, and supporting carefully managed, sustainable use of natural resources.