China´s first national park welcomes Olympic flame

The Olympic torch relay has come to its final leg, in Shangri-la, in southwest China's Yunnan province. Before heading to Guizhou province, the Olympic flame will travel through 2 kilometers of the Pudacuo, China's first National Park. Let's have a look at the vistas, of this treasured national reserve.

By any standard, Pudacuo qualifies as a natural wonderland. The region comprises only 0.7 percent of Chinas land area. BUT it contains more than 20 percent of the country's plant species, about one third of its mammal and bird species and almost 100 endangered species.

Nestled deep in the mountains in the northwestern part of Yunnan, the national park is located at the center of the world natural heritage site of the "Three Parallel Rivers". The elevation ranges from 3,500 to 4,000 meters.

The name "Pudacuo" comes from the local Tibetan word for the divine assistance that ensures boat passengers safe journey over the many lakes dotting the area.