Shahu Mountain

Shahu Mountain

Shahu Mountain is located among the lake branches of Changhu, Shahu, and Donghu along the shores of Poyang Lake. It neighbors Wucheng in Yongxiu to the east and connects with Hengfeng and Gongqingcheng to the west. The Changjiu Expressway runs nearby, providing convenient land and water transportation. The area has nearly 5,000 mu of arable land and a population of around 5,000 people. It includes two management stations and 16 natural village groups, featuring tranquil scenery and a pleasant climate.

The Shahu Mountain Migratory Bird Watching Area is part of the Poyang Lake Reserve, rich in wildlife and abundant in various aquatic plants and animals such as wild celery. The favorable wetland environment attracts a large number of rare migratory birds to feed and nest here. There are over 150 species of wintering birds. This area is not only a primary wintering ground for the endangered and nationally first-class protected bird, the Siberian crane (statistics show that two-thirds of the world’s Siberian cranes winter here), but also an important winter habitat for other crane species, storks, swans, and various waterfowl. Additionally, it serves as a breeding site for herons, some wild ducks, and passerine birds, as well as a key stopover and food supply point for migratory birds.

During bird-watching season, visitors to this area can witness the harmonious coexistence of migratory birds, enjoying the gifts of nature and the protection provided by humans. Between the sky and water, they may be seen strolling leisurely, whispering quietly, singing loudly, or taking flight. Particularly eye-catching are the Siberian cranes, which shimmer silver in the sunlight like a string of pearls stretched between sky and water—dazzlingly bright. From afar, they resemble white sails drifting at the horizon; up close, they look like jade carvings standing gracefully in the water. Birds chirp noisily, playing and singing, often creating scenes like “Swan Lake,” “Crane Great Wall,” or “Looking up, wild geese soar; turning back, cranes dance in groups,” leaving visitors enchanted.

As night falls and the moon shines brightly with few stars, thousands of cranes, swans, geese, and wild ducks in the scenic area call out to one another, as if reminiscing with old friends, sharing affection, or celebrating the success of migration together through song and dance. Visiting the area at this time will surely immerse you in this grand chorus of waterfowl, letting you fall asleep accompanied by the sounds of nature—without any sense of noise or disturbance.

To reach the bird-watching area, you can exit the Changjiu Expressway at the Aicheng Station, then travel via Xinghuo Chemical Plant and Hengfeng Reclamation Farm. The entire route is paved with asphalt or cement roads. Currently, to facilitate bird-watching for visitors, the area has built two crane observation shelters and three public toilets as part of its basic infrastructure.