The Baotianman Nature Reserve covers an area of 5412.5 hectares in Neixiang County at southwestern part of Henan Province. It is a multifaceted sanctuary for second growth in southern part of warm—temperate zone in transition to northern subtropical' zone, performing a variety of functions: protect endangered species and natural ecosystems, provide a valuable base for tourism, educational and scientific research.

The average annual temperature is 15 C , and annual precipitation measures 950 mm. Variety is the keynote of plant life-.extending from 800 m to the summit at 1830 m. At lower altitudes the Reserve consists of evergreen deciduous broadleaf forests, giving to deciduous broadleaf forests and then mixed coniferous — broadleaf forest zone. The most interesting trees in the mountain forest are oaks, Chinese pine, parer mulberry, birch and fir. The Reserve harbours 2911 species of higher plants and 29 species are under key state protection.

The Baotianman Nature Reserve houses a vast array of animal species, including about 264 species of , terrestrial vertebrates, among which are 153 species of birds. The 160 species of butterflies and 108 species of spiders are the most important of the 3000 species of invertebrates. Here exist 5 species of spiders not to be recorded before in China and 3 species are newly found.