Shennongjia history

Foundation and Legendary Roots

The history of Shennongjia is unique in that this region did not develop as a classic city around a fortress or market. It is the only forestry district in China (an administrative unit at the county level), officially formed only in 1970 by merging the border territories of Fangxian, Badong, and Xingshan counties. However, the history of this land dates back to ancient times.

The name of the district is closely linked to Chinese mythology:

• The Legend of Shennong: It is believed that the mythical Emperor Yan (Shennong), known as the "Divine Farmer," visited this place. According to legend, he tasted hundreds of herbs here to create the first pharmacopoeia and teach people agriculture.
• Origin of the Name: To reach rare plants on sheer cliffs, Shennong built bamboo ladders. The word "jia" means "ladder" or "scaffold." Thus, the name "Shennong's Ladder"—Shennongjia—was born.

Key Development Factors

For centuries, the region's development was defined by its inaccessibility and natural riches. Shennongjia remained a "blank spot" on the map for a long time due to its complex terrain.

• Geography and Isolation: The region is known as the "Roof of Central China." High mountains and dense primeval forests served as a natural barrier, protecting the area from wars and external influence, but also slowing down urbanisation.
• Natural Resources: The primary interest in the region has always been timber and unique medicinal plants. In the 20th century, the key factor in development was logging, which was later replaced by a strict policy of nature conservation and tourism.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Due to geographical isolation, a distinct cultural environment formed in Shennongjia, preserving ancient traditions.

The regional economy was historically built on two pillars: the gathering of medicinal herbs and hunting. Local residents have preserved knowledge about the properties of rare plants for centuries, passing it down from generation to generation. A cultural peculiarity is the preservation of rare folklore, such as the "Epic of Darkness" (Heian-zhuan)—a unique monument of oral tradition that miraculously survived precisely due to the isolation of local villages.

Major Milestones in Regional Development

• Ancient Period: According to mythological chronology, Emperor Shennong explored medicinal herbs here during this time, laying the foundations of Chinese medicine.
• 1962: The Hubei Provincial Government decides to begin large-scale development of forest resources and road construction in this inaccessible area.
• 1970: The State Council of the PRC officially approves the creation of the Shennongjia Forestry District as a separate administrative unit.
• 1977: A major scientific expedition is organised by the Chinese Academy of Sciences to investigate reports of the existence of the "Wild Man" (Yeren).
• 1982: A provincial nature reserve is established to preserve the unique ecosystem and protect the golden snub-nosed monkeys.
• 1986: The territory's status is upgraded to a National Nature Reserve of China.
• 1990: Shennongjia is included in the international network of biosphere reserves under the UNESCO "Man and the Biosphere" programme.
• 2000: Authorities introduce a total ban on industrial logging, reorienting the region's economy towards ecological tourism.
• 2013: The region receives UNESCO Global Geopark status due to its unique karst landscapes and geological history.
• 2014: Opening of the high-altitude Shennongjia Hongping Airport, making the district accessible to mass tourism.
• 2016: Shennongjia is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• 2021: Opening of a new national park, combining several protected zones to strengthen biodiversity protection.

Stages of Regional Transformation

The development of Shennongjia is a unique example of how a closed logging base transformed into a world-class eco-tourism centre. Below are the key milestones that defined the economic and cultural character of the district:

• Administrative Separation (1970)

  Significance: Assignment of the status of "Forestry District" (the only one of its kind in China) with direct provincial subordination. This decision allowed for the centralised management of vast forest areas and the creation of an autonomous economic system, distinct from standard municipalities.

• Scientific Expeditions and Cultural Phenomenon (1970s)

  Significance: Large-scale searches for the "Wild Man" (Yeren) and the study of rare flora attracted nationwide attention. This formed the unique cultural brand of Shennongjia as a "mysterious land," which subsequently became the foundation for tourism marketing.

• Economic Pivot: Logging Ban (2000)

  Significance: A complete rejection of industrial logging, which had been the backbone of the economy for decades. This led to a radical shift in the economic model: the region reoriented towards a "green economy," where the main resources became pristine landscapes and biodiversity rather than timber.

• Infrastructure Breakthrough (2014)

  Significance: Opening of Shennongjia Hongping Airport. The arrival of an air harbour broke the centuries-old transport isolation of the high-altitude district, opening it up to mass tourism and investors from major metropolises.

• Urban Planning and Tourism Centres (2000s — Present)

  Significance: Development of Muyu Town and other tourist hubs. Authorities implemented a strategy of concentrating services and hotels in specifically designated zones to minimise the human impact on protected territories.

• International Recognition (2016)

  Significance: Inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. This status definitively cemented Shennongjia's image as an elite destination for eco-tourism, stimulated the inflow of foreign currency, and raised standards of service and nature conservation.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

Unlike classic historical cities, the architectural chronicle of Shennongjia is inextricably linked with the development of the wilderness. There is no Gothic or Baroque here; the region's development progressed from scattered mountain huts to functional logging settlements, and then to modern tourist centres striving for harmony with the landscape.

Major Architectural Eras and Styles

The development of the region is clearly divided into periods reflecting the shift in economic paradigm from resource extraction to conservation.

• Traditional Folk Architecture (Pre-1970)

  Historically, simple structures adapted to the harsh climate and terrain prevailed in the mountains. Characteristic features: use of local stone and untreated timber, gable roofs covered with slate or bark, and stilt constructions for protection against moisture on slopes. This style has been preserved in remote villages.

• Administrative Functionalism (1970–1990)

  With the formation of the forestry district, planned construction of administrative centres began. The style is characterised by utilitarianism: simple geometric forms, concrete and brick apartment blocks, and wide streets designed for timber transport vehicles. Aesthetics were secondary to the function of management and housing workers.

• Neo-Traditionalism and Eco-Architecture (Since 2000)

  With the development of tourism, the active implementation of "green architecture" began. Modern hotels and visitor centres are built with stylisation mimicking ancient China (curved roofs, wooden decor) but using modern technologies. The main principle is to fit the building into the mountain landscape, minimising visual noise.

Landmark Districts and Urban Dominants

Urbanisation in Shennongjia is focal in nature, concentrated in two main towns, each having its own unique appearance.

• Songbai Town — The Administrative Heart

  The political and cultural centre of the district. A regular layout and modern urban development prevail here. Wide avenues and administrative buildings reflect the status of the district capital. The town is surrounded by mountains, creating an interesting contrast between the strict geometry of the streets and the natural chaos of the forest.

• Muyu Town — The Tourist Hub

  The main gateway for travellers. The architecture here is entirely oriented towards the hospitality sector: numerous hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops, designed in a style imitating traditional Chinese architecture. Urban planning is subordinated to the convenience of tourists and access to natural attractions.

• Shennong Altar

  An example of modern monumental architecture designed to immortalise the region's myths. The complex includes a giant statue of Emperor Shennong's head and massive flights of stairs symbolising the connection between heaven and earth. The design combines the primitivism of ancient totems with the scale of imperial structures.

Distinguished Personalities of the Region

The history of Shennongjia is an intertwining of ancient myths and modern scientific pursuits. The list of famous names here includes both legendary rulers and selfless researchers who dedicated their lives to studying the mysteries of this forest.

• Shennong (Yan Emperor)
  Mythical Emperor and "Divine Farmer" (Antiquity)
  A key figure for the region, giving it its name. According to legends, it was here that he built ladders up sheer cliffs to gather healing herbs and compiled the first herbal, laying the foundations of traditional Chinese medicine and agriculture.
• Qu Yuan
  Great poet and statesman (Warring States Period, approx. 340–278 BC)
  Although the poet was born in the neighbouring Zigui County, his work and life are inextricably linked to the culture of the State of Chu, to which the territory of Shennongjia belonged. It is believed that the mystical atmosphere of the local mountains inspired him to create the famous poem "The Mountain Spirit" from the "Nine Songs" cycle.
• Wang Zhaojun
  One of the "Four Great Beauties of Ancient China" (Han Dynasty, 1st century BC)
  Born in Xingshan County, which lies at the foot of the Shennongjia mountains. She is known for her contribution to strengthening peace between the Han Empire and the Xiongnu nomads. Legends about her youth spent in these lands have been preserved in the region.
• Li Shizhen
  Distinguished physician and pharmacologist (Ming Dynasty, 1518–1593)
  Author of the monumental work "Bencao Gangmu" ("Compendium of Materia Medica"). Historians believe that during his travels through the mountains of Hubei Province to collect plant samples, he explored the rich flora of Shennongjia, confirming the region's reputation as a "natural pharmacy."
• Hu Chunjun
  Folklorist and cultural worker (20th–21st centuries)
  The man who saved the region's cultural heritage. It was he who discovered, recorded, and systematised the "Epic of Darkness" (Heian-zhuan)—a unique poem about the creation of the world, preserved only in the oral tradition of the mountain inhabitants of Shennongjia.
• Yuan Zhenxin
  Paleoanthropologist (20th century)
  Leading researcher at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. In 1977, he led a large-scale state expedition to Shennongjia to search for evidence of the existence of the "Wild Man" (Yeren). His work attracted the attention of the global scientific community to the region.
• Zhang Jinxing
  Researcher and enthusiast (Modern times)
  Known as the "first person to voluntarily go wild in China." He lived in the forests of Shennongjia for over 20 years in field conditions, searching for traces of unknown primates and collecting ecological data, becoming a living symbol of the mysteriousness of this land.