Shankou Mangrove National Nature Reserve consists of two areas on either side of the Shatian Peninsula, southeast of Hepu County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Reserve, covering a total area of 8,000 hectares, stretches along the coast for some 50 kilometers. The Reserve bears high temperature and plenty of rain and it is in the subtropical climate. Its thick silt and salinized soil make the region the most representative and best preserved natural mangrove preservation zone in China.      

Established in 1990 as one of the first five reserves of its kind with the approval of the State Council, the Reserve joined the International Man and Biosphere Reserve Network by the end of 2000. Its protection targets are mangrove forest and its ecosystem.

Mangroves are a species of tropical tree that grows in swamps. Mangrove forest is also named forest on sea. It multiplies through viviparity, which is rare in vegetable kingdom. Seeds grow in the tree, and develop into branches of 20-40 centimeters long. Then drooping branches of the tree reach the earth and take roots.

Mangrove ecosystem is one of the marine ecosystems with the richest biodiversity and the highest productive force. It is able to regulate torrid temperature and to protect and reinforce dikes with their exuberant roots. It not only provides an ideal habitat for Marine organism and birds, but also provides them with rich food.

There are 21 species of mangroves such as Rhizophora stylosa, Kandelia candel, Aegiceras corniculatum, Avicennia marina, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza and Excoecaria agallocha in the Reserve. All of them are of great value. Besides the mangroves, there are abundant marine creatures such as seaweed, Spartina anglica and pearl oyster. The site also supports a number of vulnerable and endangered species, including Dugong, which is under the state protection.

The best preserved mangrove nature reserve is Yingluogang Branch Zone, which covers an area of more than 260 hectares. Mangroves in Yingluogang grow tall and straight with twisted roots and gnarled branches, and therefore Yingluogang is a key area of the Reserve. With the establishment of Shankou Mangrove National Nature Reserve, Guangxi established the Mangrove Research Center, which carries out regular research activities.