Donglan Pohao Lake National Wetland Park

Donglan Pohao Lake National Wetland Park

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

Pohao Lake is situated in Changle Town, Donglan County, along the Hongshui River, a main branch of the Pearl River. The region boasts abundant water flow, gentle currents, clear water, and stable water levels, with large areas of both shallow and deep zones covered in lush aquatic plants, making it a highly biodiverse wetland ecosystem. Since 2013, in pursuit of the protection and rational utilization of Pohao Lake’s wetland resources, Donglan County has actively pursued the application for national wetland park status under the principles of "protection first, moderate development, and rational use." The county planned to invest 289 million yuan in construction between 2016 and 2019.

In December 2014, the State Forestry Administration officially approved the pilot construction of Guangxi Donglan Pohao Lake National Wetland Park. The park covers a total area of 549.4 hectares, including 289.4 hectares of wetlands and 260 hectares of water bodies. Its boundaries encompass the Pohao Lake reservoir area, the downstream section of the Pohao River, the land between the western shore of Pohao Lake and the eastern bank of the Hongshui River, as well as the mountainous area within the first water catchment zone on the southern side of the stone hills of Pohao Lake. The park stretches approximately 4 kilometers from north to south and about 4.5 kilometers from east to west. It is the 13th national wetland park in Guangxi and the 2nd in Hechi City. Since then, the construction of Pohao Lake National Wetland Park has progressed in an orderly manner.

In July this year, the construction project of Pohao Lake National Wetland Park successfully secured social capital investment through a public-private partnership (PPP) model with Jiangsu Dongzhu Landscape Co., Ltd. The construction period spans three years. The project is divided into four main development zones: the Bronze Drum Culture Zone, the Toad (Maga) Science Popularization Zone, the Terraced Flower Field Zone, and the Boardwalk Stroll Zone. The construction includes five key components: ecological conservation and restoration projects, science education and outreach initiatives, scientific research and monitoring programs, eco-tourism development works, and infrastructure projects.

It is reported that the commencement of this project will effectively protect the area’s endangered animal resources such as birds and fish, as well as the integrated wetland ecosystem where mountains meet water. Additionally, by leveraging the beautiful ecological landscape of Pohao Lake Wetland and integrating local cultural assets such as the Zhuang Bronze Drum culture, Maga (toad) culture, and wetland culture, the park will offer activities including eco-tourism, leisure wellness, science education, and folk culture experiences. It aims to develop eco-health and wellness tourism products, enrich regional tourism offerings and travel routes, and establish itself as a signature and premium tourist attraction within Donglan County, part of the “Bama Longevity and Wellness International Tourism Area.” This holds significant importance for promoting Donglan’s ecological brand, elevating its image in ecotourism, longevity, and wellness, celebrating local ethnic culture, creating a renowned tourism destination in Guangxi, advancing regional eco-tourism, helping local residents achieve prosperity, and fostering regional socioeconomic development.