Hanzi Cave National Wetland Park

Hanzi Cave National Wetland Park

Hanzi Cave National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Hanzi Cave National Wetland Park is located between Xiushuihezi Town and Yemaotai Town in the western part of Faku County, 70 kilometers from Shenyang’s urban area, on the north side of National Highway 101. The planned total area is 2,799.45 hectares, with 2,047.40 hectares being wetland. The wetland ecosystem, wetland landscape resources, and development and construction conditions are favorable. It possesses high ecological, tourism, scientific research, and conservation value. Currently, the management and planning of the wetland park have been largely completed.

The landscape of Faku Hanzi Cave National Wetland Park is valued for its primitiveness and natural ecology. It largely retains its relatively untouched wetland scenery, and apart from farmland ecosystems and some villages, there has been no large-scale development around the wetland. The wetland park features a variety of habitats including marshes, tidal flats, rivers, and forests, rich in natural resources and scenic beauty.

In 1989, it was listed under first-class national protection; in 1996, it was included in the China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals as endangered; in 1997, it was listed as endangered under CITES (the Washington Convention); in 2009, it was classified as critically endangered in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Birds. Currently, there are only about 3,000 white cranes worldwide, making them one of the animals on the brink of extinction. Around 98% of the white crane population winters at Poyang Lake in China. On their annual migration north to Siberia for breeding in spring and south to Poyang Lake for wintering in autumn, the first major stopover is the Hanzi Cave Wetland in Faku County, Liaoning Province.

The land types in Hanzi Cave National Wetland Park mainly include reservoirs, surrounding floodplains, and forested areas. The wetland vegetation is dominated by meadow and aquatic plants. The park boasts lush and diverse aquatic plants, with 204 species of higher vascular plants belonging to 135 genera and 52 families. Among them, aquatic plant communities such as reeds, cattails, and Carex komarovii dominate the region. The park also contains the nationally second-class protected plant, wild soybean.

The park is situated on the Sanshehe River, a tributary of the Xiushuihe River in the Liao River system. The upstream Sanshehe Reservoir and Lamazhang Reservoir converge before flowing into the planned area. There are also seven other streams and gullies around the park, including Taiping River and Siguanwopu West Gully, with a total catchment area of nearly 300 square kilometers, and groundwater levels reaching up to 35 meters deep. The entire wetland features clear, shallow waters, resembling a precious mirror embedded in the land of Faku.

The park is home to a rich variety of bird species, totaling 144 species across 12 orders, 27 families, and 70 genera. Among them, there are 27 species of nationally protected birds, including 27 species under first-class national protection such as the white crane, Siberian crane, red-crowned crane, white-naped crane, common crane, oriental white stork, black stork, and great bustard. Additionally, there are 21 species under second-class national protection and 23 species listed as endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The area has now become an important stopover for migratory birds, with large numbers of rare and endangered waterfowl coming here to feed and rest during the spring and autumn seasons. Furthermore, the park is inhabited by various mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and 46 species of fish.

The abundant biodiversity resources give the Hanzi Cave Wetland extremely important conservation value and high scientific research significance, providing unique conditions for wetland protection and environmental education.

In September 2012, the Hanzi Cave Wetland was approved as Shenyang’s first national wetland park and has been hailed by experts as the “lungs of the city.” To further promote the development of the Hanzi Cave Wetland, Faku County is actively applying for recognition as a Wetland of International Importance. “The geological features, climate, and hydrological value of Hanzi Cave Wetland all meet the characteristics of a wetland. It boasts rich flora and fauna, serving as a paradise for birds. Various bird species can be seen inhabiting and breeding here year-round. More importantly, over 70% of the world’s white cranes stay here annually. Coupled with our county’s profound historical and cultural heritage, we are confident and determined to strive to develop Hanzi Cave into a Wetland of International Importance!” said Feng Kuanquan, Secretary of the Faku County Party Committee.

Hometown of China’s White Cranes

The Hanzi Cave Wetland in Faku is located between Xiushuihezi Town and Yemaotai Town, 70 kilometers from Shenyang, 35 kilometers from Faku County, and 4 kilometers from the Xiushuihezi Annihilation Battle Memorial. It is a key tourist attraction in Faku County. The area is home to four species of national first-class protected wildlife and 17 species of national second-class protected animals. Every spring and autumn, tens of thousands of birds—including white cranes, red-crowned cranes, white-naped cranes, white-necked cranes, common cranes, and oriental white storks—gather in the Faku Hanzi Cave Wetland for approximately 90–100 days. At peak times, the number of wild birds can exceed 60,000, creating a spectacular scene described as “when flying, they blot out the sun and clouds; when resting, they hide the lakeside grass.” Among all species such as cranes, geese, and mandarin ducks, the white crane is the most valuable.

The white crane is a large wading bird, approximately 130 cm in length, slightly smaller than the red-crowned crane, with a wingspan of 210–250 cm and weighing 7–10 kg. The front half of its head is bare and red, and its beak and legs are also red. Except for its black primary flight feathers, the rest of its body is pure white. When standing, its black primary feathers are not easily visible, but they become distinct during flight. White cranes have a strong attachment to shallow wetlands, preferring large freshwater bodies and open views. Their diet mainly consists of plant roots, rhizomes, buds, seeds, and berries. White cranes are monogamous, with egg-laying occurring from late May to mid-June. Each clutch typically contains two eggs, with an incubation period of about 27 days and a hatch rate of only one-third. The chicks can fly at around 90 days old.

In 1989, it was listed under first-class national protection; in 1996, it was included in the China Red Data Book of Endangered Animals as endangered; in 1997, it was listed as endangered under CITES (the Washington Convention); in 2009, it was classified as critically endangered in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Birds. Currently, there are only about 3,000 white cranes worldwide, making them one of the animals on the brink of extinction. Around 98% of the white crane population winters at Poyang Lake in China. On their annual migration north to Siberia for breeding in spring and south to Poyang Lake for wintering in autumn, the first major stopover is the Hanzi Cave Wetland in Faku County, Liaoning Province.

On May 15, after discussions and evaluations by a panel of experts from the China Wildlife Conservation Association, it was decided to award our county the title of “Hometown of China’s White Cranes.”

On May 21, Faku County held a press conference at Shenyang Jincheng Hotel to announce that Shenyang Faku had been awarded the title of “Hometown of China’s White Cranes.” At the event, the Secretary-General of the Provincial Wildlife Conservation Association, on behalf of the China Wildlife Conservation Association, read out the official recognition of Shenyang Faku as the “Hometown of China’s White Cranes.” This is the first county-level region in both Shenyang and Liaoning Province to receive this title.

Over the years, the Faku County Party Committee and County Government have placed great emphasis on the protection of white cranes and the birds inhabiting the Hanzi Cave Wetland. A dedicated Wildlife Protection and Management Office has been established, along with the formulation of the “Hanzi Cave Wetland Protection Plan.” Efforts have included restoring forest and road networks, intensifying afforestation, managing river channels, shutting down polluting enterprises, preserving wetland areas, reclaiming over a thousand acres of reclaimed and cultivated land around the wetland, strictly prohibiting fishing in the wetland during the white crane migration season, reducing human interference with the cranes’ habitat, and strengthening environmental management around the wetland. These measures have provided a more suitable habitat for white cranes and other birds. The awareness of animal protection among villagers near the wetland has significantly increased, with several villages establishing bird protection groups. So far, local villagers in Faku have successfully rescued and released one white crane and three white-naped cranes. We have every reason to believe that through everyone’s continuous efforts, Faku—this “Hometown of White Cranes and Paradise for Migratory Birds”—will be increasingly recognized and appreciated by more people.

Note: Legend says that cranes are celestial birds, associated with the saying “cranes live for a thousand years.” The word for crane (鹤, hè) sounds similar to harmony (合, hé), hence symbolizing “harmony in all directions” (六合, liùhé, referring to the universe and the cardinal directions), as well as prosperity and longevity. Cranes are also known as the “bird of nobility,” symbolizing high rank or promotion. They represent peace, longevity, and good fortune among birds. Therefore, in imperial times, cranes were used as symbols of nobility in decorations for officials of high rank.

Yemaotai Town: A town under the jurisdiction of Faku County. Established as Yemaotai Commune in 1961, became a township in 1984, and was upgraded to a town in 1985. Located in the western part of the county, 45 kilometers from the county seat. It covers an area of 175 square kilometers with a population of 22,000. The Beijing-Shenyang North Highway passes through the town. It administers 16 village committees: Liujia, Taipingzhuang, Yanhuangdi, Miaotaishan, Dangshishan, Boutuizi, Mutuizi, Sijiaoshan, Xiaohuangdi, Ertaizi, Yitaizi, Yemaotai, Zhenzijie, Taipingshan, Siguanbao, and Shizhuangzi. Local enterprises include trade and mineral water plants. The main agricultural products are corn and peanuts. Scenic spots and historic sites include... More details on Yemaotai Town++