Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area

On the Naozi Creek, a tributary in the upper reaches of Sanxia's Dabao River, lies a beautiful little world of waterfalls, rich ecology and autumn maple colors: Manyueyuan National Forest Recreation Area. About 40 minutes from downtown Sanxia and ranging from 300 to 1,700 meters in elevation, it stays moist and cool year-round, nurturing a rich diversity of ferns — even the environmentally demanding fan-leaved filmy fern can be found here. Small-scale logging once took place in the area, and today's neat plantation forests bear witness to that era. The area is also rich in birds, amphibians and butterflies, including rarities such as the rufous-crowned laughingthrush and the varied tit.