The Reserve was set up in 1963. It occupies an area of 45,5 ha and located near Khabarovsk city on the slopes of the Khekhtsir Mountains between the Amur and Ussuri rivers. The height of the mountains ranges from 30m to 950m above the sea level. The Reserve's vegetation is represented by various species of deciduous, coniferous broad-leaved and dark coniferous forests. The moderately monsoon climate contribu­tes to the availability of various species of the fauna and flora.

1017 species of vascular plants, 218 species of mosses, 148 species of lichens, 825 species of mushrooms, and 292 species of algae can be found here. One can find there Manchurian walnut, Mongolian oak (Quercus mongolica), Amur velvet (Phellodendron amurense), Schizandra chinensis, Amur vine (Vitis amurensis) and Korean pine.

The fauna of the Reserve includes 40 species of fish, 6 species of amphibious, 8 species of reptiles, 222 species of birds, and 50 species of mammals. Himalayan bear and Amur tiger inhabits in the Reserve.