The mysterious Shennongjia Nature Reserve in central China's Hubei Province, known as the home of China's "Bigfoot," opened its second international ecological tourism festival Wednesday.

Shennongjia, one-third of which is a state-level nature reserve, contains rare sub-tropical primitive forest species. In the reserve people have found many rare plants and animals that are believed to be on the verge of extinction elsewhere.

With a high forest coverage rate of 88 percent, the 70,000 hectare nature reserve is a shelter for 50 animal species under first-level state protection and 39 kinds of rare and endangered plant species that are under first- and second-level protection.

Unique folk customs and rich local lore from the reserve region are also major attractions to tourists.

A decade-long development project to boost tourism has enabled the reserve to give tourists improved services in catering, accommodation, entertainment and shopping, a local official said.

(Xinhua 09/13/2001)