Hangzhou has recently announced the third batch of 10 Hangzhou Humanistic Experience Sites for International Exchange across the city. Located in urban areas, villages, historical sites, and nature reserves, they offer international visitors easy, engaging ways to understand Hangzhou through culture, ecology, technology, and everyday life.
Among these experience sites is the Tianmu Mountain Biodiversity Experience Area. Located at latitude 30°N, on the northern edge of the mid-subtropical zone, Tianmu Mountain Nature Reserve lies in Tianmu Mountain Town, Lin'an District. Covering an area of 4,284 hectares, with a forest coverage rate of 97.56%, it is a key part of China's Huangshan–Huaiyu Mountain biodiversity priority conservation area and an important ecological barrier in northwestern Zhejiang. The reserve was listed as the province's first UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve in 1996.
Tianmu Mountain is renowned for its ancient trees and primeval forests. As early as 1,500 years ago, the Commentary on the Waterways Classic described its towering forests of centuries-old trees. The reserve is famous for its large, old, and rare trees, including the world's oldest wild ginkgo forest, five remaining wild Tianmu ironwood trees, the largest ancient Japanese cedar forest, and the tallest golden larch of its kind worldwide.
The reserve's ecosystem is considered one of a kind in China. Tianmu Mountain sits at the meeting point of northern and southern plant floras and serves as a key link between the Chinese and Japanese floristic regions. From evergreen broad-leaved forests at lower elevations to mixed and deciduous forests higher up, the mountain preserves a complete vertical vegetation spectrum with exceptionally high biodiversity.
More than 10,462 species have been recorded in the reserve, accounting for a significant proportion of Zhejiang's biodiversity. Tianmu Mountain is known as a global “gene bank” and a major site for type specimens, with numerous species named after the mountain. It is also rich in medicinal plants, many of which were documented in ancient Chinese medical texts.
Beyond nature, Tianmu Mountain is also a cultural landmark. With nearly 2,000 years of Taoist history, 1,700 years of Buddhist heritage, and 1,500 years of Confucian influence, it has long been regarded as a sacred and scholarly mountain. Over centuries, emperors, monks, scholars, and scientists have all left their mark, creating a rich blend of natural and cultural heritage.
Located in the Tianmu Future Valley, the Lin'an Ecological Research Institute is an immersive ecological learning space where natural science meets humanistic care, and modern technology blends with social and leisure experiences. Organized across two levels, the exhibition guides visitors through the evolving relationship between humans and the biosphere, from adaptation and utilization to reflection and coexistence. Through scenographic design, multimedia installations, and interactive displays, the institute encourages visitors to understand humanity's impact on ecosystems and the importance of ecological civilization.
With biodiversity and UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme at its core, the institute presents global and local ecological stories through immersive environments. Rainforests, wetlands, polar regions, and biosphere reserves are recreated using dome projections, holographic visuals, and interactive media, offering panoramic views of Earth's ecosystems. A highlight of the experience is Tianmu Fantasia: Flying Magic Sphere, where visitors embark on a motion-simulated flight through biosphere reserves or outer space, transforming scientific knowledge into a vivid and memorable journey of discovery.
An Italian student who has visited Tianmu Mountain said she was impressed by both the museum and the mountain itself. She found the museum modern and innovative, especially enjoying the hands-on exhibits that allowed her to learn through experience rather than observation alone. Although heavy fog limited visibility on the mountain, the scenery still felt powerful and unforgettable. She described Tianmu Mountain in three words: “Beautiful, natural, and magnificent.”
The 5D cinematic experience in the museum was entirely new to her, and the towering, dense forests left a lasting impression. For foreigners living in or traveling to Hangzhou, she said the site is highly appealing, especially with its location-based audio guide system that supports English and is easy to use.
Tianmu Mountain Biodiversity Experience Area
Address:
Tianmu Mountain National Nature Reserve, Tianmushan Town, Lin'an District
Lin'an Ecological Research Institute
Address:
#668 , Yaojia, East Village,
Yuqian Town, Lin'an District
Contact: 0571—63663222/0571—63663222
Source: Hangzhoufeel
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