Xingkai Lake Bird Watching Scenic Area

Xingkai Lake Bird Watching Scenic Area

Xingkai Lake Bird Watching Scenic Area

The Xingkai Lake wetland covers 2,225 square kilometers and connects with wetlands in Russia, making it one of the world’s three largest wetlands. The area is extremely rich in wildlife, with 235 species of globally important migratory birds, among which nine species — the golden eagle, white-tailed sea eagle, Steller’s sea eagle, white-tailed eagle, oriental white stork, red-crowned crane, Siberian crane, white-naped crane, and scaly-sided merganser — are classified as Class I protected birds in China. There are over 100 wild red-crowned cranes inhabiting and breeding here, making it the country’s largest migratory bird “stopover.”

It is hailed as a “paradise for migratory birds.”

The Xingkai Lake Bird Watching Scenic Area is located within Xingkai Lake in Mishan City. It is a national nature reserve and has also been designated as a national geopark primarily featuring wetlands. It is part of the Man and the Biosphere Programme in China. The Xingkai Lake Geopark lies in the Xingkai Lake Basin and the southern part of Honey Mountain. It stretches from the Baileng River estuary in the west, borders the Muling River to the north, extends to the Song’acha River in the east, and meets Russia across the Greater Xingkai Lake in the south, covering an area of 2,989.85 square kilometers. The geopark integrates geological features such as water bodies, lake ridges, and wetlands, featuring a uniquely ingenious layout, comprehensive geological heritage, magical and beautiful scenery, and a distinctive array of cultural attractions.

Xingkai Lake has gradually gained attention not only because it is far from major urban centers, free from crowds and pollution, but also due to its naturally majestic and unique landscape. The vast expanse of its wetlands makes it one of the world’s three largest wetlands. Wetlands are known as the “kidneys of the Earth,” and their unique vegetation and structure act as natural filters that purify water quality. The fish and aquatic plants in the wetlands serve as vital food sources for birds to survive and reproduce. Within the expansive Xingkai Lake wetlands, over 200 bird species have been recorded. The Xingkai Lake Reserve is one of the primary breeding and habitat areas for Class I protected birds such as the red-crowned crane, oriental white stork, white-tailed sea eagle, and golden eagle. The breeding population of red-crowned cranes in the Xingkai Lake wetlands numbers over 60, making it the third-largest breeding group in China. The area is also home to Class II protected birds such as the red-necked grebe, Chinese egret, Eurasian spoonbill, hooded crane, greater white-fronted goose, whooper swan, tundra swan, and mandarin duck. Additionally, large numbers of black-headed gulls, whiskered terns, mallards, spot-billed ducks, and grey herons breed here, totaling over 20,000 individuals. In the Xingkai Lake wetlands, you will deeply sense how crucial harmony between humans and nature is, and how the coexistence of humans and wildlife makes the Earth vibrant and beautiful.

As a critical chokepoint along the easternmost migratory route of birds in China and even Northeast Asia, the Xingkai Lake wetland holds naturally significant geographical importance. In spring, when the snow and ice on the black soil have not yet melted, punctual migratory birds arrive at Xingkai Lake, bringing with them the breath of spring from the south, heralding a new round of spring. At Longwangmiao, located at the easternmost point of Xingkai Lake where the Song’acha River meets the lake, there is what locals call the “Dragon’s Mouth” — an area of several square kilometers of water that remains unfrozen year-round. This serves as an essential passage for migratory birds traveling north and south, with hundreds of thousands of birds stopping here to rest and feed each spring. After their long journeys, this place offers the best stopover for the birds to recuperate and shake off the dust of travel.

Especially from late March to early April each year, various waterfowl arrive from the south, fulfilling their autumn promise to Xingkai Lake. According to Liu Huajin, a bird expert at the Xingkai Lake Reserve, the reason Xingkai Lake attracts so many waterbirds is largely due to its pristine natural environment, especially the wetlands in the Xingkai Lake basin, which are among the world’s less polluted and relatively few remaining large wetlands. Coupled with the year-round unfrozen lake outlet, it provides an ideal habitat for waterfowl to rest, feed, and breed. Thanks to years of protection efforts, the populations of red-crowned cranes and oriental white storks in the wetlands have increased significantly, turning the area into an important breeding ground.

In autumn, Xingkai Lake is a riot of colors. From a high vantage point, you can see the blue waters meeting the sky, forests painted in layers of autumn hues, the calls of deer mingling with the rustling autumn wind, and the sight of cranes and wild geese in the wetlands — a truly enchanting scene. The Xingkai Lake wetlands contain vast areas of untouched natural wetlands, as well as many areas converted into paddy fields as artificial wetlands. The state-owned farms here are key national grain production bases, and the mature rice also serves as food for wild geese and ducks. In the past, when conservation awareness was weak, people would scare away the birds by shooting or poisoning to protect their ripening crops. Now, to protect the mature rice, people only set up a few scarecrows in the fields.

Dangbi Town: Dangbi Town is located in the southwestern part of Mishan City. After the consolidation of townships and towns, it was formed by merging the former Sansantong Township and Dangbi Town, and is classified as a border town. The town covers an area of 225 square kilometers, comprising 8 administrative villages, 18 natural hamlets, 3,261 households, and a population of 12,032. Jimi Highway runs through the entire town, providing convenient transportation. The average annual rainfall ranges between 520-570 millimeters, with a frost-free period of about 135 days, and it features a temperate continental monsoon climate.

The total agricultural income of the town is 25.26 million yuan, with a per capita income of around 2,100 yuan. Under such challenging… Dangbi Town Detailed Information++