Located in northern Guangxi, near Guilin, the Mao'er Mountains rise from the Nanling range as a vital ecological stronghold and water source in South China. In 2011, the site was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The mountain gets its name from its main peak, shaped like a crouching giant cat. At 2,141.5 meters above sea level, it is the highest summit in South China — known as "the crown of the Five Ranges."

Mao'er Mountains form a vital watershed, linking the Yangtze and Pearl River basins and feeding the headwaters of three major rivers — Li, Zi, and Xun. Its highland forest wetlands supply clear waters that nurture breathtaking natural scenery. As the saying goes: "Without Mao'er Mountains, there would be no Li River."

The reserve is home to more than 3,700 wild animal species. Leopards and clouded leopards silently stalk the shadows of the forest. Most remarkable is the Mao’er Mountain salamander — an amphibian found nowhere else on Earth.

It also harbors over 2,700 species of wild plants. Towering Chinese hemlocks stand like guardians of time, forming ancient relict forests. That rare alpine dwarf forest, like a slumbering green oasis, quietly whispers stories of Earth's ancient past.

Have you ever been captivated by the world-famous scenery of Guilin? The iconic Li River, winding through karst peaks like a living scroll, draws its lifeblood from the tranquil heights of Mao’er Mountains. Perhaps only by stepping into this serene mountain sanctuary can one truly touch the soul of Guilin's landscape.