Dapingtai Wetland Nature Reserve

Dapingtai Wetland Nature Reserve

The Dapingtai Wetland Nature Reserve is located in the Kust Forest Farm of Hongxing District, Yichun City, Heilongjiang Province, 88 kilometers from the Hongxing District seat and 160 kilometers from downtown Yichun.

The reserve features vast areas of volcanic rock, stone seas, and diverse surrounding ecosystems, providing an excellent habitat for wildlife. It is home to 47 species of Class I and II nationally protected animals, including red-crowned cranes and moose, as well as 511 plant species, earning it the title “Heilongjiang Wildlife and Plant Resources Reserve.” The Dapingtai Wetland Nature Reserve is part of the core area of the Hongxing Wetland Nature Reserve, which was promoted to a national nature reserve in January 2008 and officially named the “Hongxing Wetland National Nature Reserve.”

The Dapingtai Wetland boasts expansive waters and lush aquatic plants, renowned for its thriving natural vegetation. It can be divided into two main tourist areas: Peach Blossom Island and the Kurbin Reservoir. Peach Blossom Island covers approximately 60 hectares and is the best spot to view Rhododendron dauricum. During the blooming season, which lasts over a month in spring, the hillsides are blanketed in vibrant crimson blossoms, truly living up to the description of “mountains aflame with flowers.” The Kurbin Reservoir spans 44 square kilometers and features a majestic dam with an installed capacity of 4,800 kilowatts, making it an important hydroelectric project. The reservoir is rich in aquatic resources, offering great opportunities for fishing and boating.

The Kurbin Reservoir is primarily formed by the convergence of several rivers, including the Kurbin River, Kelin River, Huoji River, Longwan River, Wulumu River, and Dulu River, with a total water storage capacity of 390 million cubic meters. The reservoir’s hydroelectric power station releases water above zero degrees Celsius daily, preventing the river from freezing year-round and creating thick mist. Each winter, this mist interacts with the cold air to form spectacular frost-covered trees, resembling a fairytale wonderland. Starting in mid-November, the forests along the Kurbin River begin to lightly glisten with rime ice, the white tree coatings dazzling under the blue sky. After December, the spectacle intensifies until it begins to fade around mid-March. For about 120 days each year, rime ice persists on the trees for at least six hours a day. The terrain of the Kurbin River basin is complex, featuring mountains, rivers, plains, valleys, as well as forests, grasslands, and shrubs, all contributing to a constantly changing landscape. Once covered in rime, the area becomes even more magical. This fantastical world spans a remarkable 27 square kilometers.