# Maolan National Nature Reserve (茂兰国家级自然保护区)

Southern Guizhou, Guizhou Province · Southwest, China · Guidebook rating: 4/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/maolan-national-nature-reserve
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥40
- **Opening hours:** 08:00-18:00
- **Time needed:** 1-2 days
- **Address:** Ligen Visitor Center, Maolan National Nature Reserve, Guizhou
- **Getting there:** Direct buses to Maolan depart from Libo Bus Station; the fare is ¥9
- **Good for:** Photography, Nature

## About Maolan National Nature Reserve

The discovery of Maolan's karst forest changed the world's view of karst from dull grey to green, earning it the name ‘the emerald on the belt of the Earth’. This is China's largest subtropical primeval forest, home to many rare tree species and wild animals.
Hiking through the entire forest takes three days. There are no local places to eat or stay, so visitors must bring their own food, sleeping bags and tents.

## Tips from the guidebook

- 1. Food: The highlight here is home-style cooking, and family-run restaurants can be found in Bizuo, Banzhai and Meiyuan. Be sure to try free-range chicken, river fish, wild vegetables, sour meat and sour plum wine. The wild vegetables in particular are rarely found anywhere else.
- 2. Accommodation: Village guesthouses are also concentrated in Bizuo, Banzhai and Meiyuan, and standards vary from one to the next. Book ahead in peak season. Camping, for a close encounter with nature, is another good option.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 492. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
Site: China Trip (https://cnatrip.com) — independent China travel guide in 13 languages.