Dawn redwood trees a dazzling sight in Hubei(1/7)

Dawn redwood trees in winter at a cultural and tourism area in Xiantao, Hubei Province. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)

Dawn redwood trees in winter at a cultural and tourism area in Xiantao, Hubei Province. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)

Dawn redwood trees that turned bright red and orange drew visitors to a cultural and tourist destination in Xiantao, Hubei Province. The area represents a distinctive environment with trees growing in water, birds nestling in trees and fish swimming in lakes.

The 73-hectare tourism site includes 31 hectares covered with water, dotted by around 20,000 dawn redwood trees.

Also known as the metasequoia, the tree is native to China and widely regarded as a living fossil since its existence dates back to the Cretaceous period.

Dawn redwood trees in winter at a cultural and tourism area in Xiantao, Hubei Province. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)

Dawn redwood trees in winter at a cultural and tourism area in Xiantao, Hubei Province. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)

Dawn redwood trees in winter at a cultural and tourism area in Xiantao, Hubei Province. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)

Dawn redwood trees in winter at a cultural and tourism area in Xiantao, Hubei Province. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)

Dawn redwood trees in winter at a cultural and tourism area in Xiantao, Hubei Province. (Photo/chinadaily.com.cn)