Shennongjia is one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. According to legend, the Yan Emperor Shennong once built wooden ladders here to gather medicinal herbs and teach people how to farm—giving the region its name.

In 1990, UNESCO designated Shennongjia as a Biosphere Reserve. It serves as a refuge for Ice Age relic species and is known as a "natural gene bank."

Located in western Hubei Province, the reserve covers an area 21 times the size of Macau. Known as the "Water Tower" and "Green Lung" of Central China, it serves as a vital ecological barrier. Its highest peak, Shennongding, rises to 3,106.2 meters—the highest peak in Central China. The forests span temperate to northern subtropical zones, forming a rare mid-latitude ecological continuum.

Situated at the junction of China's second and third terrain steps, Shennongjia's geographic isolation has nurtured unique evolutionary processes. Frequent sightings of albino animals add to its mystique, while the region serves as a vital sanctuary for endangered species. These ancient forests are home to over 10,000 species of wild flora and fauna—including the dove tree (Davidia involucrata), Chinese yew (Taxus chinensis), golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana), Asiatic black bears (Ursus thibetanus), and Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus).

The Shennongjia Biodiversity Research Station of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducts long-term monitoring and research of the forest ecosystem, while exploring ecological protection and sustainable use practices to support regional sustainable development.