Shenxi National Wetland Park

Shenxi National Wetland Park

Shenxi National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Shenxi Wetland Park is located at the foot of Mount Heng, the Northern Sacred Mountain, in Hunyuan County, Shanxi Province. The wetland covers a total area of 315.99 hectares, with a wetland ratio of 78.14%. It features gushing mountain springs, shimmering blue waters, beautiful natural landscapes, and a long history of cultural heritage. In December 2013, it was officially approved by the State Forestry Administration as a national-level wetland park construction pilot site.

The park boasts diverse types of wetland resources, unique landscapes, and abundant flora and fauna. It is a distinctive and representative example of the loess hilly riverine-source and reservoir wetland ecosystems. The wetland is home to 144 species of vascular plants from 102 genera and 41 families, including the nationally second-class protected plant, wild soybean. There are 57 species of wildlife, comprising 4 species of mammals, 41 species of birds, 3 species of reptiles, 3 species of amphibians, and 6 species of freshwater fish. Notably, it hosts nationally first-class protected species such as the black stork, and nationally second-class protected species like the tundra swan, as well as provincially protected species in Shanxi including the common nighthawk, black-naped oriole, grey heron, and yellow-throated babbler. The wetland area also features rich cultural landscapes such as ancient stages and traditional houses, among which the Lülv Temple, located in the center of the wetland, is a national key cultural relics protection unit.

Development Prospects

In recent years, Hunyuan County has actively promoted the protection and development of Shenxi Wetland, inviting experts from national, provincial, and municipal levels for scientific planning and construction guidance on multiple occasions. In 2009, Shenxi Wetland Park was officially listed as one of the province's first batch of wetland parks. In 2013, the Hunyuan County Government established a wetland park planning leadership group to strengthen efforts in wetland management, protection, and construction, striving to develop Shenxi into a national wetland park known for its high water quality, biodiversity, unique landscapes, and ecological tourism.