At the southeastern border of China on the Qinghai — Tibet plateau, in the valleys of the Yarlungzangbo River's great bend, there is an untravelled place. Although nearing the latitude of 29 ° N, it houses tropical biotic species because of its special nature environment. This is the well—known Medog Nature Reserve set up in 1985 and covering a total area of 62, 620 hectares, in which all the major vegetation types of the humid regions of the northern hemisphere can be seen. The Reserve is thus a microcosm of all the types of vegetation existing between the North Pole and China's Hainan Island.

The complex nature environment contains very rich biotic resources and types of vegetation are also complex. The Reserve houses over 3.000 species of higher plants, including over 40 species named after Medog. Varied plants from tropical to frigid and temperate zone can be seen here. The thick forests provide excellent conditions for the living and breeding of wild animals. According to statistics, over 40 species of wild animals under key national protection have been found in the Reserve, accounting for one quarter of the total number of animal species now under key national protection. such as langur, black—headed tragopan, red—chested tragopan, grey—bellied tragopan which are peculiar to Tibet, zibeth, rasse, hornbill, clouded leopard, boa. king cobra living in tropical and subtropical regions. lesser panda, argali. and takin living at higher altitude.

In future, this large virgin place will become a gene bank of biotic species sources. preserving more resources of rare wildlife in China.