Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town National Wetland Park

Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town National Wetland Park

The Shenzhen Overseas Chinese Town National Wetland Park is a national-level wetland park.

Located in Overseas Chinese Town Happy Coast, Shenzhen, the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland Park officially opened on May 15, 2012, marking the complete realization of the Happy Coast model that integrates ecological conservation with fashionable commerce.

Restoration Efforts

In the 1990s, land reclamation in Shenzhen Bay left behind an area of tidal flats that were not filled in. At high tide, these formed a large lake area, which became the precursor to the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland. Starting in 2007, the Overseas Chinese Town Group took over management of this wetland from the municipal government, becoming the first enterprise entrusted to manage an urban ecological wetland. Guided by the principle that “ecological protection comes first,” the group invested over 200 million yuan, established a dedicated department, and invited ecological research teams to carry out a five-year comprehensive management and restoration project for the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland.

Current Development

The current Overseas Chinese Town Wetland covers an area of 685,000 square meters. Nestled in the heart of a modern metropolis and connected to the water system of Shenzhen Bay, it shares biological resources with the bay and faces Hong Kong's Mai Po Nature Reserve across the water. It is an important part of the Shenzhen Bay coastal wetland ecosystem and classified as a coastal wetland.

Following the principles of “protection, restoration, and enhancement,” ecological restoration projects have been carried out through three steps: closed wetland management, water quality improvement, and wetland ecological enhancement. These efforts have not only created a vital corridor for flora and fauna within the wetland and Shenzhen Bay but also played a positive role in protecting biodiversity, regulating climate, degrading pollutants, and beautifying the surrounding environment. They have successfully revived the vitality of the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland.

In August 2011, the State Oceanic Administration awarded the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland the title of “National Model Project for Coastal Wetland Restoration,” recognizing its innovations and achievements in coastal wetland restoration and management systems. The Overseas Chinese Town Wetland thus became the first project in China to receive this honor.

Since its establishment, the wetland has continued to advance in areas such as ecological education, scientific research collaboration, public platforms, and environmental awareness building, on the foundation of outstanding planning, careful management, and maintenance. It has received recognition and awards from various sectors of society. The wetland has been designated as a “National Marine Awareness Education Base” by the State Oceanic Administration’s Education and Outreach Center, and the Shenzhen Municipal Oceanic Bureau awarded it the title of “National Marine Industry Public Welfare Research Special Coastal Wetland Ecological Restoration Demonstration Area.” In 2013, the Shenzhen Municipal Government named it an “Environmental Education Base.” In 2014, it was designated as a “Guangdong Provincial Environmental Education Base” by the Guangdong Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment. With support from the Shenzhen Housing and Urban-Rural Development Commission and the Shenzhen Huahui Club Ecological and Environmental Protection Foundation, the wetland established Shenzhen’s first nature school in the same year.

Visiting the present-day Overseas Chinese Town Wetland is like stepping into a natural oasis in the city. Birdsong abounds, wings flutter, and the shimmering water complements the sky.

Ecological Resources

The wetland is bordered by Shennan Avenue to the north and Binhai Avenue to the south. Together with the surrounding Overseas Chinese Town theme parks, the Shenzhen Bay Coastal Recreation Belt, and the Futian Mangrove Nature Reserve, it forms a vast urban ecotourism area. Its central urban location provides convenient access for city dwellers to learn about migratory birds, wetlands, and ecological changes, bringing them closer to the wetland and fostering harmonious coexistence with nature.

1) Egret Island

Located in the center of the shimmering Xinhu Lake, Egret Island covers an area of nearly 6,000 square meters and is a naturally formed, standalone small island. The island features lush vegetation, including nearly 30 types of native plants and trees, such as mangroves. It is home to dozens of rare bird species, including the black-faced spoonbill (a second-class nationally protected bird) and the black-winged stilt.

The wetland has implemented isolation protection for Egret Island to ensure it maintains an independent ecological environment. Today, it serves as one of Shenzhen’s important bird breeding and habitat areas. Visitors and students can observe the island’s ecology through shore-based birdwatching pavilions or remote birdwatching systems.

2) Mangrove Vegetation

Mangroves are not only aesthetically pleasing but also serve as crucial stopover sites for migratory birds. The Overseas Chinese Town Wetland has nearly 40,000 square meters of mangrove vegetation. On the northern shore, there is a cluster of Kandelia obovata trees, nearly 90 years old and up to 6 meters tall, considered some of the earliest inhabitants of Shenzhen Bay. Having endured urban changes, they remain vibrant to this day.

3) Reed Beds

The wetland boasts a large expanse of reed beds, which are relatively rare in southern China. Reeds provide nesting sites for birds and effectively purify water bodies. Based on the distribution of reeds, the wetland has organized, replanted, expanded, and enriched these areas, forming concentrated reed marshes. Simple wooden boardwalks and viewing platforms allow visitors to venture into the heart of the lake, get close to the reed belts, and experience the natural ambiance.

4) Bird-Watching Huts

To allow visitors to observe birds up close and enjoy nature without disturbing the wetland ecosystem, the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland has built three bird-watching huts hidden among the greenery. The huts feature rustic, natural designs, with climbing plants covering their exteriors and observation windows discreetly nestled among the foliage to blend seamlessly with the environment, prevent bird collisions, and protect the ecosystem.

The original watchtowers also hold distinctive charm. There are three robust watchtowers covered in vines at the wetland. These were originally border guard stations built by the Shenzhen Bay border troops in the 1940s and 1950s. Although they no longer serve their original defensive function, Happy Coast has carried out simple renovations to preserve them as valuable historical landmarks. One of the towers has even been converted into a bird-watching hut, adding a unique feature to the wetland.

5) Ecological Exhibition Hall

On November 28, 2014, the ecological exhibition hall located in the western area of the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland officially opened.

Visitors entering from the east gate can follow the northern shore to enjoy the wetland’s natural scenery. Near the end of this natural journey, they will discover this small, nature-inspired exhibition hall. With its unassuming presence, it invites everyone to step inside and learn the story behind the Overseas Chinese Town Wetland.