Xiwaha Provincial Wetland Nature Reserve

Xiwaha Provincial Wetland Nature Reserve

The Xiwaha Provincial Wetland Nature Reserve in Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province, is located on the Songnen Plain in the northwest of Wangkui. The reserve covers a total area of 8,292 hectares, with geographical coordinates between 126°14′15″–126°18′45″ east longitude and 46°59′9″–46°58′7″ north latitude.

The Xiwaha Provincial Wetland Nature Reserve in Wangkui County, Heilongjiang Province, is the only provincial-level wetland nature reserve in Suihua City. It belongs to the "Inland Wetland and Water Ecosystem Type" within the "Natural Ecosystem Category." The reserve primarily protects a wetland and water ecosystem formed by aquatic and terrestrial organisms and their habitats. The core zone spans 2,796 hectares, the buffer zone 1,457 hectares, and the experimental zone 4,039 hectares.

The reserve is home to 412 species of wild vascular plants, belonging to 69 families and 191 genera. Among them, plants such as Astragalus membranaceus, wild soybean, Myriophyllum ussuriense, and Gentiana manshurica are nationally and provincially protected species, possessing high economic and conservation value. The reserve also hosts 228 species of vertebrates, including 39 fish species, 6 amphibian and reptile species, and 145 bird species. Of these, one species is under national first-class protection, and 20 species— all birds—are under national second-class protection, accounting for 11.5% of China’s protected bird species. There is also a rich diversity of economically valuable animal species.

The reserve features a complex and diverse ecosystem structure, encompassing 28 types including shrubland, meadows, marshes, and aquatic vegetation. The variety of ecosystem types, along with their mosaic distribution and intricate structure, reflects the ecological diversity of the reserve.

The reserve is rich in wetlands, with reed beds, grasslands, and reservoirs providing excellent ecological conditions for eco-tourism development. Eco-tourism allows visitors to enjoy the natural scenery while gaining environmental and cultural knowledge. Major attractions include bird-watching platforms, water scenery tours, wetland sightseeing, fishing centers, and wetland exploration activities.