The Shennongjia Nature Reserve covers an area of 45.4 square kilometers and was approved as Shennongjia Global Geopark in 2013. It was listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2016.

Thanks to the marvelous natural scenery and famous legends about the mysterious "Wild Man" (Chinese yeti), the scenic area attracts many tourists every year.

Shennongjia was named after a very famous Chinese chief in prehistoric times, Shennong, also known as Yandi. He was believed to be one of the two ancestors of the Chinese people. Shennong invented crockery, discovered herbal medicine, and taught his people how to cultivate crops. To commemorate his great work, he became the namesake for the land of Shennongjia.