An idea and idyll worth protecting

After graduating from the Nanjing Forestry University in Jiangsu province in 2002, Xu came to the deep woods of Mount Wuyi and buried himself in ecological conservation work for the next two decades.

His social media practically serves as an exhibition hall for the flora and fauna of Mount Wuyi.

"Almost every inspection tour has led to new discoveries of species," Xu says.

A complex landscape, warm and humid climate, well-preserved vegetation and limited accessibility have all contributed to a sparse human presence and, thus, make for an ideal land for biodiversity.

"The biodiversity in our region is extremely rich, with approximately 3,000 species of higher plants and over 840 species of lower plants," Xu says.

That, in turn, gives rise to more than 7,000 species of animals, including insects and mammals, Xu says.

The place has been widely considered as a haven for birds, snakes and insects, he adds.

For those who want to ascend higher and get a better view, they can access a five-story observation tower via a steep flight of steel stairs.

"It was built in 1984 and initially served as a fire lookout tower," Xu says.

Later, a communication relay station was installed to enhance the fire-fighting capabilities in the area.

Additionally, a small-scale weather observation function was established to measure meteorological data, such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed and wind direction, within the region.

In recent years, with the development of the tourism industry, it has been opened to the public as a scenic viewpoint to meet the demands of visitors.

Chen Shuiwang, a local villager who has been hired as a rancher in the Xianfengling area, says he has felt a significant improvement in biodiversity over the past decade.

"I would see some of the birds only a few times, but now they seem pretty common," says Chen, who walks more than 6 km every day to ensure forest safety.

Tackling fire hazards and trespassers are a major part of his job.

About a 40-minute drive from Xianfengling, the Tongmuguan (Tongmu Pass) further tests travelers' threshold for coldness.