Che Tao Species and Habitat Conservation Area is located in the administrative territory of Che Tao, Lao Chai, De Xu Phinh, Pung Luong, Nam Khat communes, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province, and stretches from 21038’36” to 21048′ North latitude, from 103056’27” to 104010’48” East longitude, far from Mu Cang Chai town. about 10km south as the crow flies with a total natural area of ​​64,337ha.

This is the land located on the western slope of the Hoang Lien Son mountain range, the highest mountain range in Vietnam, so the terrain is alpine. The highest altitude is 2,512m, the lowest (400m) is Nam Chai valley, the border between Yen Bai and Son La. The terrain is very complex with deep and thick separation created by the system of thunderstorms and rivers and streams in the region. The largest thunderstorm system is an arc running from the northwest through the east to the southwest of the reserve, always at an altitude of over 2,000m with peaks of 2,512, 1,416, 1,445 and 2,048m creating the Che Tao valley. This mountain system plays an important role not only as a place with many primeval forests – the best habitat for black gibbons to live, but also as the source of many rivers and streams. These are Nam Kim, Nam Mo in the Northeast, North and West; Nam Chai is in the South and Nam Chien is in the Southeast.

The stream and stream system of Mu Cang Chai is quite densely distributed, giving the nature reserve a cool, fresh climate. Although located entirely in the tropical monsoon belt, due to its dominant terrain, the Che Tao area has a distinct subtropical climate regime that has strongly influenced the atmospheric circulation, creating a big difference in regional climate differentiation. There are many thunderstorms, hail, clouds and hoarfrost. This greatly affects the distribution, as well as the growth and development of animals and plants here. Vegetation cover in the Reserve has the following main types:

• Primary dwarf forests on high mountains consist of a dominant woody layer and a fresh carpet layer.
• Closed evergreen subtropical humid high mountain forests.
• Closed evergreen subtropical humid low mountain forests.
• Type of secondary forest on low mountains.
• Grasslands and shrubs.

The Che Tao flora is quite rich in species composition and the composition of plant families is also very rich. The number of families with 10 or more species accounts for a significant proportion. For example, Orchids, Camphor, Ginseng, Rhododendron, Chestnut, Tea, Sedge… Among the 788 recorded species, there are 33 rare species recorded in the Vietnam Red Book and the World Red List.

The Fauna is typical of the Northwestern fauna and has many connections to the animals of the Hoang Lien Son range – Phinh Pu Luong commune. Due to the rugged terrain and complex natural environment, the fauna is also very diverse and complex. In the vast forests, over many years of surveys, researchers have discovered 22 species of reptiles and amphibians; 127 bird species divided into orders and families. The babbler family alone has up to 41 species such as: Striped babbler, Red-tailed babbler, Pigmi ground babbler, Red-tailed dwarf babbler, Rufous-necked babbler, Yellow flat-billed babbler,…

Next is the warbler with 10 species such as: Blue-bellied black-tailed warbler, White-throated mountain lark, Yellow-headed cotton warbler, Black flycatcher, Red-browed warbler…

The rarest species are the purple pheasant and the red-necked grebe Aceros Nipalensis, currently only found in Mu Cang Chai and Pu Mat national park (Nghe An). Here, there are only 28 – 30 individuals left, but it is also the largest population of red hermit crabs in Vietnam. Mammal species are extremely diverse with 53 different species such as: civets, short-tailed porcupines, small lorises, wolves, monkeys, boars, deer, red-faced monkeys, serow, bears, horses, clouded leopards, fire leopards, leopards, gray langurs… Especially the pure black gibbons with about more than 200 individuals, currently in Vietnam have only been identified in two locations: the north of Van Ban district (Lao Cai) and the border area between Mu Cang Chai (Yen Bai) and Muong La (Son La). These are animals that only have a very limited number of individuals left and are continuing to be threatened with extinction.