Zhalong Marshland [Qiqihaer]

Zhalong Marshland in Qiqihar City of Heilongjiang Province: A graceful world of cranes

Zhalong Natural Reserve is located at the lower reaches of Wuyu'er River of Songnen Plain, with the total area of 210,000 ha. It is China's largest region where rare water birds, mostly large ones like cranes, are found. The lower reaches of the Wuyu'er River on the Songnen (Songhua and Nenjiang rivers) Plain provide water resources for the endless reed marshland, drawing tens of thousands of birds to rest and breed here. Possessing the largest number and variety of cranes in China, the Zhalong Marshland is also one of the places with the richest species of cranes in the world. Of the 15 kinds of cranes on earth, China has nine, and Zhalong has six, among which four are endangered worldwide. There are over 2,000 red-crowned cranes in the world, and Zhalong has more than 300.

The formation of the wetland in Zhalong Natural Reserve originated by the area from the Wuyu'er River of the Lesser Xing'an Mountains to this area, the overflow and flood of river has formed vast and permanent fresh "One of Top Six Most Beautiful Grasslands in China"
Ranked by China National Geoegraphy Magazin

water reed marshes and lakes, such a big and relatively intact reed marsh wetland is ranking in the first place in China and is rare in the world as well.

The wetland is praised as Kidney of Earth, which constitutes the important natural environment for the existence and multiplication of people, together with forest and sea. Zhalong Wetland is a gift endowed by the nature to us. As an important wetland of international influence, it is an important integral part of the global natural environment; however it directly benefits Qiqihar and blesses the biologic diversity in its surrounding areas, which brings great ecological benefits, social benefits and economic benefits to us.

Zhalong Wetland is a paradise of birds and a heaven of cranes. There are more than 260 species of birds in Zhalong Natural Reserve, including 35 species of national protection birds. The Reserve is particularly renowned in the world for its large amount diversified species of cranes. There are currently 15 species of cranes survived in the world; China has 9 species, while Zhalong Reserve has 6 species. Especially the red-crowned crane, there are over 2000 wild red-crowned cranes in the world, while Zhalong Reserve has more than 400 of them. Therefore, Zhalong Wetland is the largest inhabiting and multiplying place of red-crowned cranes in the world as well. Moreover, there are also ''post-houses'' and ''shelters'' for many transnational migrate birds that live through the winter in island countries of Pacific Ocean, Southeastern coast and the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River but multiply in Mongolia and Russia. Hundred of thousands of birds pass by Zhalong Wetland and every spring and autumn and have food here to recover their physical strength for further migration.

Zhalong Reserve is also an important base for scientific research, practice teaching research and ecological environment education. Zhalong Wetland is endowed with huge aesthetics value. The environment education base is also open for ecological tour, which could yearly receive more than 100,000 visitors and has generated great social benefits.

Best time to go
From May to July for sightseeing Birds.
The average temperature of Qiqihar City is from 33.26F to 39.56F, the temperature difference between south and north is around 38.3F. The yearly average frost-free period is from 122 to 151 days.

Ticket
RMB 20/person

Around Landscape
Bright Moon Island, Longsha Park, Dacheng Temple, Qingsongshan Hunting Spot, pukun Mosque, Drift on Yalu River, Nianzishan Forest Park, etc.

Local Snacks and Specialties
Jew's-ear, Fungus, Linked-sausage, Barbecue, Different Fishes, Beidacang Wine, Paper-cut, Shadow play, etc.

Travel Tips
Be sure to respect local ethical customs and traditions.
Do not close to red -crowned crane in case of biting.
It is danger go to the swamp without local working people.
The sun rises up at 3 or 4 o’clock in Heilongjiang province.
Take warm clothes with you because weather is change to cold at night.
It is better to take the tent with you if you go in summer.

Distance
Beijing (1737 km) Qiqihar City (26 km) Zhalong Marshland
Beijing (1249 km) Harbin City (359 km) Qiqihar City (26 km) Zhalong Marshland