Shennongjia: A Green Miracle at 31°N
Overview
Shennongjia Forestry District is situated in the northwest of Hubei Province, at 109°56′–110°58′E and 31°15′–31°75′N, covering a total area of 3,253 square kilometers. It is the only administrative region in China named after a forest district. Its highest peak, Shennong Peak, rises to 3,105.4 meters, earning it the title "Roof of Central China." Shennongjia boasts the only well-preserved subtropical forest ecosystem in the mid-latitudes of the world, with a forest coverage rate as high as 91.1%. In 2016, Shennongjia was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a natural heritage site. It is not only home to rare animals and plants such as golden monkeys and dove trees, but also shrouded in mystery due to the legend of the "wild man."
Historical Evolution
I. Ancient Legends and Origin of the Name
Shennongjia is named after the legendary Chinese emperor Yan Emperor Shennong. According to the Shennongjia Annals, Shennong built wooden ladders here to gather herbs and taste them to teach people agriculture, hence the name "Shennongjia" (Shennong's Ladder). Local folklore is rich with legends about Shennong, such as "Shennongjia Herb Garden" and "Shennong Peak."
