Xianyang Lake National Wetland Park

Xianyang Lake National Wetland Park

Xianyang Lake National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Xianyang Lake (Zaoshi Reservoir) is located in the lower reaches of the Xieshui River, a tributary of the Lishui River in the Dongting Lake water system. It is an artificial lake formed after the construction of the Zaoshi Reservoir, a key national project from the 10th Five-Year Plan period. In December 2014, it was approved as a national wetland park by the State Forestry Administration. The total area of the wetland park is 7,946.6 hectares, including a water area of 5,391.6 hectares and a forested area of 2,555 hectares. The wetland park boasts beautiful scenery and abundant resources, and has been the main habitat for ethnic minority communities in Shimen since ancient times. First, it has profound historical and cultural heritage. It features numerous historical and cultural relics such as ancient Ba people's hanging coffins and boat coffins from a thousand years ago, Yan’er Cave “Shimen People” site, Zaoshi Shang Dynasty ruins, Weixin Warring States ancient city ruins, and Yangquan Han Dynasty Fenghuang City ruins, making it one of the important cradles of human civilization in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Second, it is rich in flora and fauna. Surrounded by lush mountains and dense forests, the wetland park area is home to extremely rich plant and animal life, including 1,075 species of woody plants across 108 families and 331 genera, as well as 171 species of terrestrial vertebrates from 64 families and 24 orders. Among them, there are 26 species of nationally protected wild plants and 42 species of protected wild animals. Third, it has strong ethnic customs. The wetland park region is inhabited by more than ten ethnic minorities, predominantly the Tujia people. Its folk culture has a long history, distinctive characteristics, and vibrant diversity. Notably, Tujia mountain songs, Jiu Zibian (a nine-section whip dance), Sanbanggu (a three-drum performance), and Tiao Sang Wu (funeral dance) are among the folk traditions that enjoy high recognition both within and outside the province, holding great potential for tourism and cultural development.