Yancheng National Rare Birds Nature Reserve, A Sanctuary for the Elegant Red-crowned Cranes

331 Provincial Road to Danhe Line, Tinghu District, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province

A large wetland protection area

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Introduction

There is a 453,000-hectare national nature reserve for rare birds in the coastal areas of five counties (cities), Shenyang, Dafeng, Binhai, Xiangshui, and Dongtai, in Yancheng, Jiangsu Province. The reserve was established in 1984 and upgraded to a national level in 1992. It has also been included in the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve Network. The reserve mainly protects the tidal wetland ecosystem and rare birds, represented by the red-crowned crane. It is a typical mud flat coastal plain in the Yellow Sea, with a 444-kilometer coastal mudflat formed by the sedimentation and tidal action of the ancient Yellow River and Yangtze River deltas. The reserve has numerous rivers and marsh wetlands, rich in biological resources, and the ecosystem in its core area remains untouched. There are 315 bird species, including nine national first-level protected species and 33 national second-level protected species. About 800 red-crowned cranes will winter here every year, making it the world's largest wintering ground for red-crowned cranes. Additionally, the Yancheng Reserve is also an important breeding ground for the internationally endangered black-headed gull, with the largest number in the country. The reserve is also home to many national second-level protected animals, such as the water deer. There are no tourist accommodations in the area, but visitors can stay in homestays in Shenyang County or nearby towns. Shuttle buses are not scheduled, so it is more convenient to go by self-driving or renting a car. The establishment of the Yancheng Reserve has significant implications for the protection and study of rare birds such as the red-crowned crane.

Address

331 Provincial Road to Danhe Line, Tinghu District, Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province

Opening hours

08:30-17:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1-December 31)

Transportation

1. Taking the K2 or K202 tourist bus can directly reach the destination. The first bus departs at 6 am and the last bus departs at 5:40 pm, with approximately one bus every 20 minutes. 2. Self-driving: Leaving the urban area and turning left on the 331 Provincial Road along the Danhe line for about 8 kilometers can directly reach the destination.

Phone 0515-82642605