Several times a week, veteran forest ranger Wang Huasheng laces up his boots, hoists his backpack, and embarks on a six-hour trek deep into Mao’er Mountain with his colleague. Having spent more than half his life protecting this lush wilderness, Wang knows every path and tree like the back of his hand.
“Forest fire prevention, monitoring wildlife, and stopping illegal logging and poaching are all part of my daily routine,” Wang explains. “For safety reasons, we’re required to patrol in pairs. The trails are muddy, it rains often, and it’s easy to get lost—it’s much safer when two people go together.”
In just three months, Wang will retire. “But I hope I can come back every year to visit the trees I planted,” he says, gazing fondly at the dense forest surrounding him.
Mao’er Mountain, the highest peak in South China and the source of the Li River, stands as a vital ecological barrier in Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Known for its breathtaking scenery and rich, pristine ecosystem, the mountain is now a nationally recognized model nature reserve.
“This area is one of China’s biodiversity hotspots and a key terrestrial biodiversity region of international significance,” explains Tang Zhongxiang, director of the nature reserve administration office. “The reserve primarily protects native subtropical evergreen broadleaf forests, nationally protected species of flora and fauna, and the water conservation forests at the headwaters of the Li River.”
Every two months, Wang collects memory cards from infrared cameras scattered throughout the reserve. “We often capture footage of the silver pheasant, which only inhabits remote, well-preserved mountain forests with intact ecosystems,” he notes.
Ongoing scientific research within the reserve has led to the discovery of several new species, including Euphorbia maoershanensis, a plant found in 2013, and Leptobrachella maoershanensis, an amphibian discovered in 2017. The reserve is now home to 12 nationally protected Class I wild animal species and 60 Class II species.
The Li River, known as one of the most beautiful rivers in China, flows with crystal-clear waters through Guilin’s famed karst landscapes. Two karst sections of Guilin have even earned UNESCO World Heritage status.
But just a few decades ago, conservation wasn’t a priority. “People didn’t understand what ecological protection meant,” Wang recalls. “They just focused on cutting bamboo and trees.”
When the mountain was closed for forest regeneration, many villagers were confused or opposed the move. In response, the reserve launched public education campaigns. Over the past decade, staff have distributed materials, given lectures at local schools, and raised awareness of wildlife protection laws and fire prevention. Gradually, people’s mindsets shifted—illegal logging faded, and many locals even became active participants in forest protection.
For communities at the foot of the mountain, conservation has opened a new chapter. In Gaozhai Village, home to about 1,200 residents, more than half of the 300 households now earn income through ecotourism—running homestays and rural guesthouses. Where illegal logging once offered a narrow livelihood, sustainable tourism has created a greener and more prosperous future.
As Wang prepares to hang up his ranger’s hat, he leaves behind a flourishing ecosystem and a community that embraces the value of conservation. His footsteps may soon fade from the muddy trails, but his legacy of dedication to Mao’er Mountain will endure for generations to come.
