Nearly 100 previously unknown valleys were discovered in northwest China's Gansu Province recently by tourism officials during an investigation of local tourism resources.

The investigators found many waterfalls, lakes, various species of plants and animals in the valleys that crisscross the south of Gansu, said Shi Zongzheng, a provincial tourism official involved in the investigation.

There were many reasons for the biologic variety there, according to experts. The valleys are mainly located in the place where the Tibet plateau, Inner Mongolia plateau and the loess plateau meet. The area also lies in the transitional region between the temperate and subtropical zones. Meanwhile, many rivers including the Yellow River, Weihe River, Jaling River, and Baishui River meander through the area.

Sources indicate that there are over 1000 species of trees, plants, and mosses in the valleys and rare animals like golden monkeys, pandas and golden pheasants live there.

Some mountaineering fans and explorers plan to explore the valleys.

(Xinhua News Agency November 26, 2003)