According to Xinhua News Agency (Wuhan), Hubei Shennongjia Forestry District was a scene of jubilation on the night on July 17th. Shennongjia was formally listed in world heritage that was announced at the 40th conference of UNESCO World Heritage Commission which was held in Istanbul, Turkey. This is the first time to win the title of world natural heritage site in Hubei province, and the 11th world natural heritage sites among China.

    The total area of Shennongjia world heritage is about 73,318 hectares, is divided into western shenyiding-badong area and eastern Laojunshan area, with buffer zones about 41,536 hectares.

    According to current statistics, there are 3,767 species of vascular plants, more than 600 vertebrates recorded, 4,365 kinds of insects found, among which there are 205 endemic species, 2 endemic genera and 1,793 endemic species in China. As the flagship species golden monkey, the total number of it reaches to 1,300.

    The World Heritage Commission believes Shennongjia has the  most complete vertical natural band spectrum in the worldwide and its biodiversity fills the blank in the world heritage list. The success on the world heritage list also promotes Shennongjia to become the first heritage sites obtaining the three major protection systems registered in UNESCO Man and Biosphere Reserve, Global Geopark and World Heritage.