Shandong Panlong River National Wetland Park

Shandong Panlong River National Wetland Park

Shandong Panlong River National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

In the ecological wetlands of Panlong River, about a li north of Panlong Mountain, there lies a winding section of river — this is the Panlong River channel. The Panlong River twists and turns through eighteen bends, with many ponds and depressions along its banks where lotus flowers are cultivated and fish are raised, and where poplar and willow trees line the shores. In summer, the dense green shade, clear flowing water, sunlit lotus blossoms, and fragrant breezes create a serene scene... What can be seen today is only one of its bends. Due to years of neglect, most of the riverbed has collapsed, merging with the surrounding ponds and depressions. It has lost its former tranquil charm but has gained a certain rustic authenticity. The ponds are overgrown with reeds, and every summer, they present a scene of “luxuriant reeds.” Scattered irregularly across the reed marshes are a dozen or so earthen mounds covered with poplar, willow, and locust trees; beyond the reeds lie vast fields of swaying green crops, and in the distance, continuous green mountains. The outline of the Panlong River channel can still be faintly made out among the reeds. The water in the river flows slowly but never intrudes into the ponds, making it exceptionally clear. The aquatic plants beneath the surface — some needle-like, some thread-like, some ribbon-like, some feather-like — though uneven, are all a fresh green. The fish in the water are lively and playful, attracting long-billed water birds that flit back and forth across the surface, busy without rest. Cicadas sing in the trees, reed birds chirp in the reeds, frogs croak by the water’s edge, and crickets chirrup in the fields — all are gifted singers. On sunny days after rain, when the breeze is gentle and the sun is bright, they sing joyfully, producing especially pleasant and melodious sounds. The songs here may be rugged or melodious, the scenery either bold or delicate, yet both complement each other harmoniously, forming a unified whole. At the border between the reed marshes and the green crop fields, there winds a narrow path. On both sides of the path, the grass grows thick and tall, embodying the poetic notion of “the path is narrow with overgrown vegetation.” In the early morning, dewdrops cling to the grass, glittering in the rising sun like the bashful glances of a maiden in love; by mid-morning, the dew has evaporated, leaving the realm to grasshoppers and crickets. A narrow side path branches off from the main trail, leading straight into the depths of the reeds. At the end of this fork lies a large earthen mound topped with an ancient locust tree. Though old, the tree shows no signs of aging — its branches are lush, and its leaves are abundant. Its canopy shelters the entire mound, and beneath it lies a half-smooth bluestone slab. This is an ideal spot for fishing with a rod — whether you catch a fish or not, there’s no need for elation or disappointment. The pleasure isn’t in the act of fishing, but in fishing for nature, for the essence of life.