Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve

　　The Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve is situated in the southeastern part of Dagang District, Tianjin, approximately 6 kilometers from the Bohai Bay, and spans an area of 44,000 hectares. It features four types of wetlands: lakes, rivers, coastal mudflats, and marshes, making it the largest wetland nature reserve in Tianjin to date. The Tianjin Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve was expanded from the original Guxialake Wetland Nature Reserve (district-level), which was approved by the Dagang District government in August 1999. In December 2001, it was officially established as the Tianjin Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve (municipal-level) with approval from the municipal government.

　　The nature reserve consists of seven parts: the Beidagang Reservoir, Shajingzi Reservoir, Qianquan Reservoir, the lower reaches of the Duliujian River, Guan'gang Lake, Li'erwan, and coastal mudflats. The total area of the reserve is 43,495.37 hectares, accounting for about 39.05% of Dagang District’s land area. Among these, the Beidagang, Shajingzi, and Qianquan reservoirs form the core zone, covering 17,227 hectares or 39.6% of the total area; the lower Duliujian River, Li'erwan, and coastal mudflats constitute the buffer zone, spanning 24,128.37 hectares or 55.5% of the total area; and Guan'gang Lake serves as the experimental zone, with an area of 2,140 hectares or 4.9% of the total.

　　The Beidagang area lies along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway and is one of the regions with the richest biodiversity in China’s Bohai Bay area. The main conservation targets of the reserve are the wetland ecosystem and its biodiversity, including birds and other wildlife, as well as rare and endangered species. Beidagang Wetland serves as a stopover on the East Asian migratory route for birds, where large numbers of waterfowl migrate and breed every year.

　　Over 140 bird species have been recorded in the region, belonging to 12 orders and 26 families. Among them, six species are under first-class national protection, namely the Oriental Stork, Black Stork, Red-crowned Crane, Siberian Crane, Great Bustard, and Relict Gull. Seventeen species are under second-class national protection, including the Common Shelduck, Whooper Swan, Tundra Swan, Mute Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Common Crane, Hooded Crane, Siberian Crane, Eurasian Hobby, Amur Falcon, Northern Harrier, Pallid Harrier, Montagu's Harrier, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Eastern Marsh Harrier, and others. Wading birds passing through the area annually number over 8 million, with waterfowl species accounting for one-third of China’s avian diversity. The reserve also hosts over 20 species of amphibians, reptiles, and mammals, nearly 40 fish species, more than 60 insect species across 6 orders, over 120 plant species, 19 phytoplankton species, and 13 zooplankton species. Experts have concluded that the Beidagang Wetland Nature Reserve holds significant conservation value and meets international criteria for “Wetlands of International Importance.”

　　The vegetation in the reserve is dominated by marsh reed communities (about 60%), along with water plantain communities (about 2%), reed and cattail communities (about 5%), hornwort, Vallisneria, and Potamogeton communities (about 2%), hornwort, Ceratophyllum, and Hydrilla communities (about 3%), barnyard grass communities (about 5%), glasswort and Suaeda communities (about 5%), reed and glasswort communities (about 15%), and tamarisk communities (about 3%). Scattered artificial trees, mainly elm and pagoda tree, can also be found around the reserve and on the dikes.

　　Every spring and autumn, migratory birds traveling from East Asia to Australia pass through this area to forage and rest. In recent years, as awareness of bird-loving, bird-watching, and bird conservation has grown among the people of Dagang, the diversity of wetland migratory birds has increased significantly. According to observations and statistics by graduate students specializing in ornithology from Beijing Normal University, since February 27th, over 30 species of migratory birds — totaling tens of thousands of individuals — have been observed at the Beidagang Reservoir. These include swans, Siberian cranes, Oriental White Storks, Northern Lapwings, geese, wild ducks, herons, and black-winged stilts. The largest observed flock of swans numbered over 700 individuals. The most exciting sighting occurred on March 24th, when a swan wearing a Russian red neck ring was spotted. The discovery of this swan at the Beidagang Reservoir holds significant academic value for research on swan migration routes.

　　Even more noteworthy is that the Oriental White Stork, a first-class nationally protected bird with a global population of only around 3,000, currently has over 500 individuals passing through the Beidagang Reservoir.

　　As night falls, the “angels” of the wetland sing in chorus with the loud calls of wild geese, creating a beautiful nocturne. Standing on the dike of the reservoir and looking out, the glittering lights of Dagang appear especially beautiful against the backdrop of the wetland.

　　Nowadays, visiting the Beidagang Reservoir to listen to birds singing joyfully, breathe in the fresh scent of grass, and admire the beautiful wetland sunset has become a cherished pastime for many nature-loving residents of Dagang. When the sun sets, the quiet wetland is filled only with the songs of these “angels.”

　　Transportation Routes

　　Address: Southeastern part of Dagang District, Tianjin (Beidagang Reservoir)

　　Public Transport: From downtown Tianjin, take bus 688 and get off at Xiyuanxili Station

　　Self-Drive Route: Downtown Tianjin – Minzhu Avenue – Ping’an Street – Fu’an Street – South Gate Outer Street – Weijin Road – Weijin South Road – National Highway 205 – Guangming Street – Fudi Road – Beidagang Reservoir