Paradise For Birds—Dongzhai National Nature Reserve

Dongzhai national nature reserve is situated in Luoshan County, Xinyang City, Henan Province, it's located in the northern slopes of the Dabie Mountain range. It lies between 31 ° 28 ′ --32 ° 09 ′ N and 114 ° 18 ′ --114 ° 30 ′ E, occupying an area of 46,800 hectares. This reserve is a national wildlife type nature reserve, and aiming at the protection of forestry rare and endangered species of birds and their habitats.

This reserve is located in the transition from the northern subtropical zone to warm temperate zone. The climate is humid and differs significantly between seasons. Dongzhai holds a complex fauna and flora pattern with a feature of transition from south to north, the flora recorded in this reserve included 1879 species of vascular bundles, and the wild animal involved 37species of beasts, 245species of birds, 44 species of amphibians and reptiles. This area possesses of the most abundant birds in the reserves in the same longitude or latitude. And the birds in this reserve account for 20 percent of the records in China or 80 percent of the birds in Henan Province.

Dongzhai National Nature Reserve presents rich resources of fauna and flora, beautiful environment, a full-bodied Revolution Culture and Buddhism, a plenty of natural and cultural landscapes. More and more people who want to touch nature closely have been attracted here, and it has been one of the fantastic places for eco-tourism. The first Annual Congress of China Mainland Bird Photography was held in Dongzhai in June 2004 successfully. During this congress, more than 3,000 pictures, including about 80 species of birds were taken. This place is an excellent place for birdwatching because of its lower relative altitude, convenient traffic and reliable safety. There is a large reservoir named Shishankou closed to this reserve; it's a good place to watch water-birds. One start points of the Long March located in this reserve. Lingshan Temple here is one of the Four Famous Ancient Temples in Central China. The sing of birds, the flower fragrance, the spectacular mountains, the miraculous stones, the old age trees, the elegant rivers and the beautiful forests have made up for a grand picture.

What a pleasure to tour in such a picture!

Qinhuangdao—Nice Place For Birdwatch

Qinhuangdao located between 38 ° 54 ′ N and 119 ° 36 ′ E on the northwestern coast of the Bohai Gulf and the northeast part of heibei Province. The total area is about 15,180 sq km with vast sea area and long coastline. Qinhuangdao is the zoogeographical transition from North China Zone to Northeast Zone. Complex physiognomy such as low mountains and uplands, plains and watercourses, wetlands and ponds, also with coastlines and beaches, warm and humid climate, and multiplex vegetations provide birds favorable conditions.

The special situation of Qinhuangdao makes it become one of the most important 3 migrate routes of China. The ascendant habitat conditions make this place become one of China's or even the world's wonderful places with abundant of birds resources. There are 389 species of birds (not including subspecies) breed here, or visit this area regularly, it's about 30 percent of the total bird species of the country. More and more travelers and birders are attracted to come here and many international bird races have been held here successfully.

Beidaihe is a famous and scenic summer resort located at the southwest of Qinhuangdao Municipality. It is always called Migration Hub of the Orient. Its charm lies mostly in the lovely inhabitants, bustling night stalls and the seaside views. From long stretches of pebbled sand to small coves, it is easy for travelers to escape the masses. Beidaihe now ranks as the place to see East Asian migrants. over 300 of species may be seen in a year, only perhaps 14 occurring year-round--the rest are at least partial migrants. Several flyways converge in the area, linking winter haunts in southern China, Australia, Thailand and even--for Amur Falcon--south-east Africa, and breeding grounds ranging from north-east China to arctic Russia. Abundant bird resources, integrated receptions and passional people here are waiting for your coming sincerely.

Birding Travel to Poyanghu Lake

Poyanghu Lake located at 28°20′-29°50′N, 115°50′-116°45′E, in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River in southern China, Jiangxi Province. Poyang or Poyanghu Lake is one of the most important wetlands in the world. It is a largest bird-wintering in Asia for cranes, geese, ducks, swan and other water-birds. With the abundant resources of fishes, shrimp, snails, clams, and unfrozen water areas, Poyanghu Lake National nature reserve is an ideal and largest wintering place for white Siberian crane in the world, also is the wintering area for stork, swan and other species of rare birds. And the white cranes accounts for 95% of birds over the world. More than 313 species of birds have been observed in the reserve, there are 116 species of wintering birds in Poyanghu Lake reserve area.

Poyanghu Lake is the paradise for some rare cranes and birds:  more than 95% of white Siberian cranes, 60% of white-napped crane, 80% oriental white stork ,over 30,000 swan goose,over25,000 tundra swan in the world wintering at Poyanghu Lake.

Located in a subtropical wet monsoon climate, Poyanghu Lake covers an area of 22400 ha during the summer rainy season as an important wetland in China. Better time to watch birds is late Oct to Mar. And better time to stay there is about 4-5days. If not too cold, the good time for birding there in winter is Nov.

Better place to watch birds are Reserve Station in Wucheng, Dahuchi (Xiaoshuigou, Lajidui, Zhuquanniupeng etc, better for cranes), Meixihu (Meixi Lake), Changhuchi, Zhonghuchi( better for Swan), Zhushihu, Shahu, Benghu etc.

Nanchang City Festival of Migratory Birds in Tianxiang Park 

Every year in winter, there are about 180000 migratory birds  (including cranes and swans) in Tianxiang Park, Nanchang, Jiangxi province. Tianxiang Park, only about 4km from Nanchang city, covers an area of 100000 sq meters, wetland, pool and marsh connecting, with about 32 species of wild birds, in Dec usually the temperature fluctuates between 4-10ºC.

Since 1988 some expert from Europe to be there to investigate the birds, and Nanchang named as "City of Migratory Bird", and from 2001 Nanchang held the City Festival of Migratory Birds, and this festival will be held every year in May and June. 

Zhuchuan Channel for Migratory Birds

  Zhunchuan Channel for Migratory birds, located in Zhuchuan county, Jiangxi province, it's just like a basin, surounded by mountain in alt at 2042-2120m, and the central area is about 600-1200m, 40km in length and 30km in width. In the autumn (special the date of Qiufen) the birds fly southward, and in spring (special the date of Qingming) birds back through to northward from the same place of the Channel.

Dongtinghu Lake-One Of The Most Famous Bird Race Places

Dongtinghu Lake is located on the lower basin of Yangtze River, and is one the five big freshwater lakes in China.

Dong Dongtinghu National Nature Reserve

Dong Dongtinghu National Nature Reserve is among the 21 wetland nature reserves of international importance designated by Chinese government and included in the Ramsar Convention wetland list. It is a freshwater lake with numerous smaller lakes and ponds, marsh, swamp and wet grassland fed by flooding from the Yangtze and four other rivers. The site is extremely important for 20 species of wintering and staging migratory birds, and supports 200 species of fish, of which 20 are commercially important. Dong Dongtinghu Lake NR is an important wintering ground as well as breeding site and passage area for wetland water birds. Millions of water birds appear here each year, and 234 species (under 16 Orders and 43 Families) have been recorded to date.   
The 1st national birding race of Mainland China was held at Dong Dongtinghu Lake NR in December 2002, with 12 birding teams participating. In December 2003, 17 teams got together for the 2nd Dongtinghu Birding Race. In this 3rd Dongting Hu Lake Birding Race, some new sessions such as exhibition of bird photos and symposiums on special topics are added, which will better promote the birding competition to be a precious opportunity for communication among Chinese birdwatchers. Records submitted by all teams are to undergo strict evaluations, and will therefore contribute valuable scientific bird records to the reserve after the competition.

The 3rd Dongtinghu Lake Birding Race is held on December 3rd – 5th, in Yueyang City, Hunan Province, China. More than 20 teams from Beijing, Shanghai, Guangdong, Sichuan as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan are participating in this competition. The birding race starts from 16:30, December 3rd, and ends at 16:40, December 4th.

Nan Dongting Wetland and Waterfowl Reserve.

Nan Dongtinghu Nature Reserve located at 28°50'N 112°40'E, in the southern part of Dongtinghu Lake, the total area is 168,000 ha, it's the largest lake on the plains of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, the site supports important numbers of endangered Oriental Stork ( Ciconia boyciana ) and Siberian Crane ( Grus leucogeranus ), as well as Chinese sturgeon ( Acipenser sinensis ), and produces rich fauna and flora of high economic value. It also plays an important role in the regulation and storage of floodwater from the Yangtze River. Some 14,000 people live within the site, chiefly practicing fishing and aquaculture in human-made ponds and growing economic crops in the mudflat areas, including some 120,000 tons of reeds annually.

Deforestation in the upper reaches of the Yangtze is leading to increased flow of mud and sand into the lake bed, and pesticide runoff and industrial pollution are also seen as potential threats. During "Bird Loving Week" activities are carried out for schoolchildren in the region, and some 24,000 birdwatchers visit the site's facilities annually.

Xi Dongting Lake (Mupinghu) Nature Reserve

Xi Dongtinghu is an important western part of Dongtinghu Lake, comprising open freshwater lake and smaller lakes, some shallow mudflats during low water periods, reed swamp, sphagnum bog, and beaches. The site is very important for rare fish, such as Chinese sturgeon ( Acipenser sinensis ), and birds, such as the threatened Oriental Stork ( Ciconia boyciana ); in addition it serves as a staging area for many other migrating cranes and storks. Fishing, and increasingly fish-breeding, and livestock grazing are important economic activities dependent upon the site. Industrial pollution, unwise fishing practices, and overproduction of reeds are seen as threats. Conservation research and education, with assistance from WWF, are increasingly important. Because of the extraordinary beauty of the site, with its "deeply green grass and dancing water birds", an increase in eco-tourism is being planned.

Jiangxi Wuyuan

wuyuan is named as “The Most Beautiful Village Of China”. Here you can find artistic conception as paradise, village sights as poems and paintings as well as immemorial ancient villages. But the most important thing is the place distributed one of the worldwide-endangered bird species—Yellow-throated Laughingthrush ( Garrulax galbanus ). Only three regions have listed the distribution of this species: Jiangxi Wuyuan(China P.R), Yunnan(China P.R) Simao and Asam of India.

Birding Tour to Guizhou Caohai Lake

The Caohai Lake is the largest fresh water karst lake in Northwest Guizhou, rectangular shaped, it occupies an area of 200 sq km with vast-stretching wetland full of waterweeds and grass. Rich aquatic plants and mild weather provide birds with an excellent habitat. The black-neck crane, the sole surviver of the world's plateau fowls, usually comes to the Caohai Lake for winter after it breeds in Qinghai Lake.
Caohai Lake is one of the best places for birdwatch in China, and the WWF has listed it as one of the top 10 birdwatching destinations in the world.
Up to 100,000 birds winter at the lake between December and March, and 179 deferent species have been recorded, including protected species, such as the black-neck crane and white storks, golden and imperial eagles, white-tailed sea-eagle, Eurasian crane and white spoonbill.
The Tuoda Forest, 60 km northwest of Caihai Lake, has been set aside as a nature reserve for the protection of the endangered Reeves' pheasant. Reeves' pheasant is unique to China, but owing to widespread deforestation its numbers have declined in recent years and its total population is probably no more than 5000.
Caihai Lake is at the heights between 2170 and 2234 meters above sea level and surrounded by green mountains, it's suitable for birding.

Gaoligongshan Mountain

Gaoligongshan Mountain Nature Reserve is the largest NR of Yunnan Province, China. It's low in the south and high in the north with the lowest 720m altitude and the highest 5128m altitude. It's famous to the world for the unique geographical physiognomy, abundant wildlife resources, is named as “Gene Bank Of The world Species ” , “Nature Museum” and “Paradise Of The World's Pheasant”.

Wuyishan Mountain

Wuyishan Mountain lies in northwestern part of Fujian Province, encompassing an area of 60 square kilometers. Cut off from the outer mountains, it's surrounded by streams and valleys.

Jiuqu Stream (Nine Turns Stream): Now and again its torrents churn over shoals, throwing sheets of spray into the air, and then merge into clear deep pools which are as smooth as a mirror. At its two banks, myriad peaks soar up, vying with one another for beauty and wild azalea flowers glow crimson. The Jiuqu Stream is a fabulous place to visit. One taking a bamboo raft downstream would be mesmerized as if cruising in the mysterious universe.

Tianyou Peak (Peak of Sky Tour): Frequently shrouded in clouds and mist, it towers aloft over clusters of peaks. Ascending to its top, one feels as if traveling upon a sea of clouds high up the sky. Hence it becomes the most famous spot of Wuyishan Mountain. The pavilion on the top, the highest among myriad peaks commands a panoramic view of Wuyishan Mountain encircled by well-known peaks and the Jiuqu Stream on its three sides.

Water Screen Cave: It is formed by curved cliff walls and an over-hanging cliff, which is several hundred feet in height or in width. It's spacious and can seat some thousand people. Built along the walls are a few roofless temples. Two springs keep cascading down day and night from the over-hanging cliff. Blown by the breeze, the waterfalls break into tiny drops, which resemble two water screens hanging from the top, and descend into the Dragon Bath Pond below.

Chongyou Wanniangong (Palace of Ten Thousand Years) As one of famous Taoist religious service centers, it consisted of over three hundred halls and rooms in the Song and Ming Dynasties, but declined since mid Qing Dynasty. Today only one temple and two wells have remained.

The beautiful Wuyishan Mountain is gifted with exotic flowers and rare plants, precious birds and animals. It abounds in teas growing on rocks with a bright color, strong scent, and pure taste. Among them Dahongpao "Grand Red Robe" is the most famous and precious.

The Wuyishan Mountain stretches for thousands of miles like a green dragon all the way across the provinces of Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Guangdong. The world-famous Wuyishan National Nature Reserve just sits on the highest section on the north of the Mountains. It is the single biggest and the most comprehensive surviving semi-subtropical forest system in the southeast Mainland China. It is within the World biosphere Protection Network of the United Nations and is ranked Class-A global nature reserve.

It is at the border section of the counties of Wuyi, Jiangyang, Guangze, Shaowu in Fujian Province, with northern altitude ranging between 27 o 33'~54', and eastern longitude between 117 o 27'~51'. Total area is 56,527 hectares, 95.3% of which are covered by forest. In this Nature-endowed Reserve, forest vegetation is well-preserved, biological resources are rich, and rare species are plentiful. There are 2,466 species of named high-order plants, 8,400 low-order plants, 475 vertebrates, and 31 orders of insects with around 5,000 species. There are 26 national priority protected plants, 56 national Class-A and Class-B protected animals, in addition to a dozen native plants and animals, which are seldom seen elsewhere in the world. Hence comes the name of "Origin of Model Specimen".

The Reserve is adjacent to the Wuyishan National Key Scenic Spot. Here, there is the grandness of rolling hills, the ancient simplicity and pureness of the primitive forest, and the miraculous beauty by nature's manipulation. This is a sacred land with grandness, ancient simplicity and beauty seamlessly knitted, the place we merge with Nature.

Qinling Mountains, Kingdom Of Wildlife

Qinling Mountains is one of the most biologically rich temperate forest in the world. Running from east to west, Qinling Mountains lie in the eastern province of Shaanxi and form a natural diving line between north and south China. Is a very important landmark in China. In south China, they don't have central heating equipments in the winter whereas in the north, they do – so. Outstanding Biodiversity

Some of the peaks of Qinling Mountains reach are higher than 3000 meters so they act as a barrier to cold, dry air coming in from the north. On the broad southern slopes, on the other hand, warm rains encourage luxuriant growth and therefore an amazing variety of plants and animals, which are found only in China and nowhere else in the world. The Chinese Yew and Qinling Fir trees tower above a fantastic array of rhododendrons and between the Ginkgos and the various different types of bamboo live the Giant Pandas.

Animals of the Qinling Mountains

Because the climate varies so much between the different altitudes of the forests of Qinling Mountains, there has a huge variety of plants and animals. Many Qinling plants are rare and endangered, including the Ginkgo, one of the oldest tree species in the world. The Chinese Mountain Larch, the Miaotai Maple and the Chinese Fir are also highly endangered and therefore listed by the Chinese Government as protected species.
And then there are the animals which include brilliantly colored-pheasants, Giant Salamanders, Golden Monkeys and of course, the world-famous Giant Pandas.

WWF Symbol - the Giant Panda

Symbol of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, the Giant Panda is one of the most endangered species in the world. This big, lovable black and white bear lives mostly on bamboo of different sorts - a diet that can also threaten the panda's existence as once every 30-120 years, the bamboo plant flowers and dies. This is a natural part of the bamboo's life cycle. So it's important that pandas live in areas with several different species of bamboo which flower at different times, otherwise the pandas would starve, as happened in 1975 when at least 138 pandas died.
The last census of Giant Pandas was back in the 1980s and it suggested that there may be no more than 1000 of these creatures left in the wild. But now, WWF-China is working together with the Government of China on a new survey and later in 2002, we should have a better idea of just how many pandas there are.

It is said by Li Ning of WWF-China, it's hard to judge right now whether the number will be an increase or decrease because the final analysis is yet to be done. However since that time, the pressure on panda habitat has definitely increased.

The Takin

Much less well-known but certainly very impressive looking is the Takin, which is a beautiful golden-haired ox with a big, broad nose. Takins can weigh several hundred kilograms, they are very big and strong, and they are very beautiful. When you see one with the sun shining on its golden hair and It's standing there like a General, you cannot describe how powerful it looks!
Takins usually live in groups and feed on the woody plants and bamboos of Qinling mountain forests. But sadly, a lot of poachers still hunt them for their meat. They know the takin is endangered and therefore a protected species, but still, people set snares and traps to kill them and sell their meat to make money.

The Golden Snub-nosed Monkey

The takins are not the only golden-haired creatures of the Qinling Mountains. There is also a monkey with a tiny nose and many different names, including two Latin ones! The Chinese Golden Monkey is variously called the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey or Sichuan Snub-nosed Monkey but whatever it's name, these monkeys are famed for their fur and therefore highly prized. They are about 60-70 cms' tall and their hair was long. It always hangs over their shoulder so when they jump from tree to tree, it looks like they have wings. The Golden Monkeys live in large groups, sometimes 600 strong. Nevertheless, their numbers are seriously endangered by hunting and clearing of forests.

Qinling Mountains Become Home to Rare Animals

The Qinling Mountains have become a safe home to various rare animals as a result of the local efforts to set up nature reserves in the area. Chinese government attaches great importance to the construction of an ecological environment in the area, and has set up many special nature reserves for giant pandas, known as the "state treasure," ibises, golden monkeys and antelopes.

In Foping County Nature Reserve, pandas are getting along with villagers. Once a panda is ill, she will go to residents for help. Sources with the Shaanxi Provincial Forestry Bureau said that two pandas suffered ill have recovered and returned to forests after 20 days' care of the villagers. Li Huanfang, an expert of rare animals, said that the nature reserves cover 203,500 hectares in area, or takes up 4.1 percent of Qinling Mountains' total area. However, the nature reserves have more than 3,000 kinds of rare plants, accounting for 80 percent of Qinling Mountains' total, Li added. He said the construction of nature reserves and adoption of a series of protection measures to save many endangered animal species.

Statistics provided by animal protection departments of Shaanxi Province show that the number of ibises have increased to 270 from seven when they were first found in Yangxian County in 1981. Experts estimated that there are some 200 giant pandas, or one-fifth of China's total, 4,500 antelopes and more than 5,000 golden monkeys in the Qinling Mountains. Shaanxi plans to build four to five more nature reserves in the Qinling Mountains in the coming years to provide a sound living environment for wild animals.