Xinjiang Bayanbulak Swan National Nature Reserve

Four-hundred-kilometers northwest of Korla, the high-altitude Bayanbulak wetlands lies within the second largest grassland area in China (at 2,300-2,500 meters), with Kaidu River flowing through. It is celebrated as the famous “Xinjiang Swan Lake,” a natural habitat for the largest populations of wild swans in China. Each year birds migrate to Bayanbulak between November and March. Make sure you have your cameras ready to capture some touching moments, when the birds’ wings are fanning.

Poyang Lake

Poyang Lake in Jiangxi Province is a must-visit destination for winter birding. It has a total of 310 species of birds and is famous for being the “Kingdom of the stork.” A large number of rare birds habitat here, including Grus leucogeranus, Grus japonensis, larus relictus ... In winter time, a maximum of 100,000 migrating birds fly to the Lake, making it the largest migratory bird wintering area in Asia.

Yunnan

Due to its mild and warm climate in winter, there are numerous excellent winter bird-watching destinations in Yunnan. Red-billed gulls from Siberia have spent winter in Kunming for almost 30 years. Dianchi Lake and Cuihu Park are the best places to watch red-billed gulls in Kunming. Besides, the botanical garden in Xishuangbanna with a tropical climate offers the opportunity to see Crimson Sunbird and Anastomus oscitans. Napa Lake wetlands in Shangri-la is home to “noble birds,” such as black-necked cranes, in winter, attracting lots of people to photograph.

Yancheng Wetland

Nature Reserve

Lying on China’s eastern shore, Jiangsu Province, Yancheng is the largest coastal wetland reserve in China and home to Red-crowned Cranes and 381 other species of birds. The best time to watch birds in Yancheng is between late October and early April, when about 600 Red-crowned Cranes prefer wintering here.

Zhalong Nature Reserve

Located in Tsitsihar, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, Zhalong Nature Reserve was established in 1979 with the purpose of protecting a large number of Red-crowned Cranes. It is also a stopover and nesting area for a great quantity of storks, swans, herons, grebes and other species.

Dongzhaigan Mangrove

Forest Nature Reseve

Dongzhaigang Mangrove Forest lies in Yanfeng Town, Haikou City of Hainan Province. During the winter, the best season for birding in Dongzhai Harbor, tens of thousands of birds turn the area into a wonderland. (SD-Agencies)