Jiexiu Fenhe National Wetland Park

Jiexiu Fenhe National Wetland Park

Jiexiu Fenhe National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Jiexiu Fenhe National Wetland Park is situated south of the Fenhe River Bridge on Sanxian Avenue in Jiexiu City and north of National Highway 108. The park extends 2.4 kilometers along both the southern and northern banks, from the Fenhe rubber dam north of Shengli Bridge in the south to the west gate of the Forest Park in the north, with a total area of 1,000 mu (including 450 mu of water surface). In 2013, following on-site investigations, evaluations, collective reviews, and public announcements conducted by expert groups from the State Forestry Administration and the Shanxi Provincial Forestry Department, Jiexiu Fenhe Wetland Park was officially designated as a National Wetland Park by the State Forestry Administration.

The lake retains Fenhe River water, rainwater, and treated reclaimed water from the sewage treatment plant, with a total storage capacity of 700,000 cubic meters. The scenery resembles that of the Jiangnan region. The park centers around landscapes, vegetation, and architecture, featuring attractions such as the main entrance, the lake’s central island, Qingming Garden, Fushou Mountain, wooden boardwalks, and wetland plants. A total of 160 species of trees, shrubs, aquatic plants, and ground cover plants are cultivated within the park. Towering trees create a vibrant sea of green, complemented by shimmering lake views, flowing streams, blooming flowers in a riot of colors.

The park’s landscape design integrates urban culture through modern construction techniques, showcasing Jiexiu’s history and civilization. Qingming Garden, a garden within the park, highlights the culture of Qingming, with a focus on the traditional Cold Food Festival of Jiexiu. Stone carvings and pavilions blend seamlessly with the surrounding natural and cultural landscapes. The iconic black-and-white moon gates and rustic thatched cottages allow visitors to appreciate Jiexiu’s rich cultural heritage while sightseeing. The Miaoying Pagoda and Weixiang Bridge, newly built with investments from private enterprises Antai Group and Luxin Group, have been fully completed and opened to the public. The Qingming Cultural Square, a sculpture plaza reflecting the culture of the “Three Sages” and funded by Kajia Group, has also been finished. The completion of the wetland park has beautified the environment, improved the local climate, regulated air humidity, and brought significant ecological and social benefits.

Since its completion, the park has served as a temporary resting spot for migratory birds such as ruddy shelducks, yellow-headed wagtails, and black-winged stilts during their seasonal journeys. The park provides residents with a comfortable space for leisure, flower viewing, moon appreciation, and summer retreat.

The wetland park encompasses three major types of wetlands—riverine wetlands, marsh wetlands, and artificial wetlands—as well as four wetland subtypes. With abundant river flow, the park serves as an important stopover site for migratory birds in China. Every spring and autumn, large numbers of waterfowl pause here to rest, inhabit, and forage during migration. The park is home to 292 species of plants and 120 species of wild animals, including nine species under national second-class key protection such as the common crane and Eurasian sparrowhawk, as well as locally protected species like the Chinese pond heron.

In 2017, it passed the inspection of the State Forestry Administration and was officially approved as a National Wetland Park.