Shenyang Bird Island

Shenyang Bird Island

Bird Island is the only natural ecological bird-watching center in Shenyang. Also known as Ganhézi Island, it is located within the Qipanshan Development Zone, east of Dongling Park and south of Expo Garden. It is an island in the Hun River system, covering an area of 49.26 hectares. Historically, the island was named "Dragon Beach Fishing Spot" because its shape resembles a giant dragon lying in the (Hun River), and it became one of the famous "Eight Scenic Spots of Huishan."

Throughout the different seasons of the year and at various times of the day, the forests, shrubs, wetlands, and ponds on Bird Island offer diverse landscapes: In spring, as all things come back to life and flowers bloom, birds on the island begin to nurture new life; in summer, lush vegetation thrives, with ducks and sparrows resting in the shade and egrets foraging in the reed marshes; in autumn, the forest turns golden, and young wild geese follow their mothers, waddling across the ground covered with yellow leaves; in winter, with snow covering the land, everything appears desolate, except for ducks and geese still playing on the unfrozen waters of the Hun River.

The wetland area spans about 100,000 square meters and serves as a primary habitat for wildlife, especially waterfowl, wading birds, shoreline birds, and passerine species. Creating wetland landscapes not only enriches the types of habitats on Bird Island, attracting more birds to settle here, but also enhances the island’s sightseeing appeal, making the name “Bird Island” truly fitting. Tall trees such as Chinese pine, larch, Liaodong birch, Mongolian birch, ash, and white birch have been planted, along with shrubs like honeysuckle, yellow thorn rose, redstem dogwood, Spiraea salicifolia, and mountain peach, as well as aquatic plants including water chestnut, grass mats, lotus, and calamus—all contributing to a forested, open woodland meadow, and wetland ecological landscape.

Location: No. 195, Dongling Road, Qipanshan Development Zone, Shenhe District, Shenyang City, Liaoning Province (near Dongling Park)

Transportation: Take bus No. 148, 168, 218, 318, or 385 within Shenyang City and get off at the Shenyang Bird Island stop.

Driving route: From Shenyang, take the ring expressway toward S104, enter Dongling Road – Donggao Line, and drive 2.0 km to reach the destination.