Nanji Mountain

Nanji Mountain

In the southwestern waters near China’s largest freshwater lake — Poyang Lake*, there lies a small island shaped like a phoenix, called Nanji Mountain. It is a township under the jurisdiction of Xinjian County in Jiangxi Province, located 60 kilometers from downtown Nanchang.

This beautiful island, when the lake water rises during spring and summer, becomes surrounded by endless water, making the island seem like it is adrift on a vast lake. From autumn to early spring of the following year, the water recedes, leaving a network of rivers and streams, scattered lakes, and lush green aquatic plants. A large number of fish, shrimp, snails, and clams gather in the shallow waters, providing abundant food for migratory birds such as the Siberian crane. Coupled with the area’s suitable climate, pristine water quality, and tranquil environment, it serves as an ideal winter habitat for rare birds like the Siberian crane.

Every golden October, tens of thousands of various migratory birds fly south from the north to gather around Nanji Mountain in lakes such as Changhu, Linghu, Beijiahu, Donghu, and Shentanghu. When spring arrives the following year and flowers bloom, they migrate north in flocks. Summer migratory birds, such as swallows and egrets, also come here to nest and breed. According to observation records, there are over 280 species of birds, including 115 species of waterfowl. Among them are more than 50 species under national first and second-class protection, such as the Siberian crane, white stork, black stork, great bustard, red-crowned crane, swan, pelican, white-naped crane, greater white-fronted goose, Eurasian spoonbill, mandarin duck, golden eagle, sea eagle, and the scaly-sided merganser. At sunrise, on the vast lakeside wetlands, flocks of Siberian cranes stand elegantly in their white plumage, shimmering under the sunlight like pearls scattered across the water and sky. Their loud, resonant calls of “gerulu, gerulu” echo continuously, creating a spectacular scene that captivates and enchants visitors.

The lake beaches and grasslands of Nanji Mountain are hailed as the “Kingdom of Cranes,” the “Paradise of Migratory Birds,” and an “internationally critical wetland.” It is an ideal destination for observing and studying the world’s precious bird — the Siberian crane, attracting a growing number of domestic and international tourists, experts, and scholars. In 1987, a migratory bird observation station was established here to facilitate the public’s viewing of these rare waterfowl.

Address: In the shallow lake area near the southwestern shore of Poyang Lake, Xinjian County, Nanchang City

Type: Mountain, lake, wetland

Recommended visiting time: About 1 hour

Opening hours:

8:00-18:00

Ticket information:

Free admission.