Sited in the northwestern part of the Xinglong County, Hebei Province, the Wuling Mountain Nature Reserve was established in 1984 to protect the temperate forest ecosystems and north limit of distribution of rhesus macaque. It covers an area of 14,337 hectares. As the "Highest Peak East of the Capital", the Waitao Mount of the Reserve rises 2118m above sea level. On elevations of over 1500m above sea level the Reserve harbours more than 1100 species of higher plants, among which are 178 species of wild flowers and 576 species of medicinal herbs. Along the slopes grow a great deal of Dahurian larchs and 12 species of trees are under state protection, including ginseng, rock primrose, wild groundnut, juglans, mandshunca and wing celtis.

Surveys conducted in the area show 36 species of mammals and over 100 kinds of birds, of which 11 species are under state protection: leopard, rhesus macaque, goral, golden eagle, kite and long-eared owl.
In 1645 this region was designated by the government of Qing Dynasty as a forbidden area of imperial tombs. Now the ecosystems in the Reserve are well preserved, the species of flora and fauna have increased in number quite rapidly.

Besides protecting natural ecosystems and providing habitats for plants and animals, the Reserve plays an important role in conserving natural landscape. This role is becoming increasingly prominent with the development of tourism in Beijing.

Wuling Mountain is well — known for its sheer cliffs and precipices, deep valleys, lingering clouds, cold climate, springs and pools, 47m high Buddhist pagoda and the characters on the cliffs.