Foreword

For thousands of years,Shennongjia has boasted abundant natural resources and enjoyed the reputation ofa “paradise on earth,”with its towering mountains and crystal waters.Yandi(Emperor Yan),honored as the first ancestor of the Chinese nation,harvested herbal medicines and initiated crop farming here.Later he became an incarnation of immortal god, leaving behind many legendary tales that have paved the way for today’s health preservation.

Since the foundation of China in 1949,the central government has been attaching great importance to the preservation of Shennongjia. In the 21st century,Shennongjia has drawn more and more attention from the United Nations,as well as some international geographic agencies,eco-environmental organizations, and cultural institutions in regards to its geographical age,geographical location,geologic structure,diverse species,and cultural relics.Furthermore,it has won numerous certifications and honors in forestry,tourism,and medicinal plants.Known as “the lung of the earth,”it still has a long way to go in the exploration of the health care industry.

In recent years,the so-called“ancient paradise”has been witnessing a rapid development because of the construction of freeways,high-speed railways,and an airport.It is simply much easier to travel to Shennongjia now. What’s more, a well-functioning government,increasingly harmonious society,improved infrastructure and quality of life have added color to the prosperity of Shennongjia.

Living in such a crowded and fast-paced world,modern city-dwellers are more enthusiastic about their health and wellness.Shennongjia,as an ideal health resort,has become renowned both at home and abroad,which best echoes the slogan“Beautiful scenery are the gold and silver mines.”

In developing Shennongjia’s health care industry,the local government clearly adheres to the principle of industry integration.The integrating of the three industries of Shennongjia offers great opportunities for its socio-economic development and betterment of people’s living standard.Apparently it is also good news for the tourists who can improve their health and refresh their mentality by visiting.

Here is a panorama of Shennongjia’s beautiful sceneries for you to appreciate.

前言

千山萬壑(陳吉華攝)Ridges and valleys of Shennongjia Mountains(Photo by Chen Jihua)

巍巍神農架，悠悠億萬年，靈山秀水，奇幻相生，人間仙境，氣象萬千。始祖炎帝于此搭架采藥，嘗百草，植五谷，登壇入仙，萬古相傳，為這片綠林埋下健康養生之文化伏筆。

新中國成立后，神農架得國家重視，保護不斷升級。新世紀以來，神農架在地理年齡、位置、構造、物種和地球遺跡等方面，越來越受到聯合國等國際地理、生態環保、人文機構重視，各項認證順利通過，各種殊榮紛至沓來。神農架在林業、旅游、藥材種植等方面開發有序、保護得力，成績卓著，但作為“地球之肺”的神農架，其健康養生之自然資源，一直處于待開發狀態。

時光荏苒，國家發展，社會進步，民生改善，加之機場、高鐵和高速公路相繼修建，進入神農架不再耗時費力。近年來，林區政通人和，設施改善，安全便達，神農架發展進入一個嶄新的時代。

時下，鬧市喧囂愈烈，生活節奏加快，國民健康養生意識漸濃，神農架這個理想康養之地的影響廣播于寰宇，正是其踐行“綠水青山就是金山銀山”思想，發揮自然魅力，造福天下蒼生的好時機。

健康養生產業的提出順時應勢，推動務實聚力，是林區黨委政府的英明抉擇，將為林區“一二三”產業融合、經濟社會發展和林區人民生活水平提高創造無限機遇，更為尋求康養、逐夢旅途之人調養身體、放松心情、煥發活力提供無限便利。本刊特擷神農架林區大美之冰山一角，編制此輯，以饗讀者。