WHILE the video game Angry Birds achieves global popularity, flocks of happy birds abound in our country.

    Eastern China

    Huanghekou Township

    in Shandong

    Best bird-watching time: From April to October

    More than 10 million birds of 271 varieties in Huanghekou Township in Shandong Province, including swan, red-crowned crane, gray crane and oyster catcher, are on view.

    Starting every spring, birds migrate here to enjoy the wetland eco-system. They dwell on wetland reeds around the Yellow River mouth and swarm to catch fish in the morning or afternoon.

    Visitors are not allowed to drive here, but they can walk across the wetland to get a closer look at the birds.

    Transport: Fly to Jinan in Shandong Province at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, take a bus to Kenli County and rent a car to the Yellow River mouth.

    Accommodation: Stay at Huanghekou Township or Kenli County, with prices varying from 30 to 300 yuan per night.

    Central China

    Taihu Lake in Jiangsu

    Best bird-watching time: From March to July

    The Taihu Lake National Wetland Park is home to the third-largest freshwater lake in the country. The most beautiful part of the park is Wuzhong, which has the clearest water and most abundant reeds. There is a large number of bird species in the park, including flamingo, white crane and gray crane.

    Transport: Fly to Shanghai at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and then take a train to Suzhou.

    Accommodation: There is a number of hostels in Wuzhong that offer rooms at reasonable prices.

    Southern China

    Shenzhen in Guangdong

    Best bird-watching time:

    From December to February

    Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve attracts lots of birds from the north in winter. It is a stopover for about 400,000 migrant birds of nearly 190 species on their way either south to Australia or north to Siberia each year. More than 20 species are under international or national key protection.

    At this time of year, there are also a lot of bird-watchers visiting the reserve. As the only reserve located in an urban district in China, the site has become one of Shenzhen’s landmarks.

    Transport: Take a bus to the reserve along Binhai Boulevard in Futian District. It is near the Shenzhen Bay.

    Accommodation: There is a wide selection of hotels and hostels in Shenzhen.

    Zhaoqing Star Lake in Guangdong

    Best bird-watching time:

    From March to June

    Star Lake Wetland Park in Zhaoqing in Guangdong is famous for its lakes and virgin forests. It abounds in fish and aquatic plants. It is a paradise for a large variety of wild animals and birds. It is the largest wetland bird-watching area in South China. There are grus vipio, mandarin duck, demoiselle crane and flamingo.

    Transport: Buses depart for Zhaoqing at most city bus stations.

    Accommodation: Hostels and inns inside the resort offer a standard room at 150 to 300 yuan per night.

    Poyang Lake in Jiangxi

    Best bird-watching time: From October to March

    Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province provides a habitat for half a million birds and is a favorite destination for ornithologists. It is fed by the Ganhe and Xiuhe rivers, which connect to the Yangtze through a channel.

    During the winter, the lake is home to a large number of Siberian cranes, up to 90 percent of which spend the winter there.

    Transport: Take a bus to Shangrao City in Jiangxi and then take a bus to Poyang Lake.

    Accommodation: There is a number of hotels and hostels in Shangrao. (Jane Lai)