The high-altitude mountainous area of Shennongjia Nature Reserve recorded its first snow this autumn.

The reserve enjoys a forest coverage as high as 91 percent, making it one of 14 major regions in China for biodiversity protection of global significance. It is also one of the 25 biodiversity hot-spot regions globally.

Reaching Shennongjia is not easy. If you come from Yichang, in Hubei province, you have to pass through Muyuping, a small village about 150 kilometres away in the mountains. You can take a small bus that will eventually lead you there. The road is beautiful, in a deep valley with high cliffs. If you're prone to bus-sickness, you'd better find another destination. Muyuping is a small mountain resort a few kilometres away from the gate of the park. The city lives from tourism. From Muyuping you can reach the Three Gorges Dam quite easily, taking a boat from Xingshan. So Shennongjia can also be a step in a journey from the centre to the west of China. Only a small part of Shennongjia can be visited. Two roads have been opened to the public.

Rime decorates Shennongjia Nature Reserve in central China's Hubei Province.(Photo: China News Service/Lei Tao)