Maixiu is a nature reserve whose myriad mountains are covered with a vast expanse or trees. The scenic zone, with 70,000 mu of forest and 124,000 mu of wasteland, is studded with beautiful sights which exemplify the natural beauty of a highland forest reserve. The zone has no lack of mountains more than 4,000 meters in height, but at where the Maixiu River converges with the Rongwo River, the elevation was reduced to 2,171 meters. The forests comprise such trees as spruce, cypress, red, white and purple birch, poplar, and willows. The place abounds in rhubarb, snow lotus, cordyceps and other precious medicinal herbs of superb quality, and is home to such precious animals as serows, musk deer, blue-eared pheasants, and snow leopards.