Jilin Niuxintaobao National Wetland Park

Jilin Niuxintaobao National Wetland Park lies on the bank of the Huolin River in the southwestern part of Da’an City, 110 kilometres from downtown Da’an. It sits at the junction of Da’an, Tongyu County and Taonan City, bordering Tongyu County in the south and Taonan City in the west, with the well-known Jiangjiadian Grassland to the north. Its geographic coordinates are 45°14′N and 123°21′E, covering a total area of 4,200 hectares.

Niuxintaobao National Wetland Park boasts the best-preserved primitive wetland in western Jilin. It consists of lakes, marshes, meadows and reed wetlands, featuring diverse ecosystems and abundant biological resources with a wide variety of vegetation, wild animals and plants. There are 142 species of wild animals and 239 species of plants inhabiting the park. Among them, Class I nationally protected birds include red-crowned cranes, great bustards and oriental white storks. Class II nationally protected birds cover whooper swans, mandarin ducks, sand martins, grey cranes and more. This wetland serves as a crucial breeding ground for waterfowl and a key stopover site along the north-south migration route of East Asian migratory birds. It is a paradise where birds fly freely and sing loudly, a natural wetland resource bank and gene pool, an open-air museum for visitors to learn about nature and raise awareness of wetland protection, as well as a natural laboratory and classroom for wetland ecosystem research and teaching. With gorgeous natural scenery and unique wetland landscapes, it stands out distinctly among similar wetland parks.

When you gaze far into the distance, Niuxintaobao looks just like the palette of a master painter. Azure skies, emerald grasslands, silvery reed marshes and tawny sand dunes interweave and blend seamlessly, presenting a vast and pristine wilderness that retains the ancient charm of the land.

Upon entering the park, visitors first arrive at the Wetland Education Centre, where they can learn about wetlands, wetland culture and environmental protection knowledge. Afterwards, you may stroll along the plank road through reeds and visit the lotus pond to appreciate the most iconic natural scenery from different perspectives. Climb up to the birdwatching platform to enjoy a panoramic overlook of the whole wetland park. In addition, photo services for wedding gowns and ethnic costumes are available beside the Couple Trees, allowing tourists to immerse themselves in ancient legends and experience the wonderful integration of love, kinship, friendship and natural beauty. At the angling garden on the central lake, visitors can fish for wild fish and crabs to enjoy the harmony between human and nature and release the pressure from work and study. The Wetland Botanical Garden mainly grows native wetland plants. It is a comprehensive multi-functional site integrating popular science education, recreation, sightseeing, scientific research and ecological training. At the cruise dock, you can take a boat tour to visit "Two Islands and One Lake": Wild Goose Island, Crane Island and Swan Lake, bringing a unique travel experience.

For lunch, you can taste wild fish and crabs you catch yourself, as well as freshly picked organic vegetables and fruits. Other local green food includes meat and eggs of rare birds, free-range farm chickens, grass-fed lamb, organic rice and sorghum liquor. You can appreciate exotic scenery beside the Dutch windmills, water wheels and exquisite pavilions and take a relaxing break here. During your trip, you can drop by the souvenir shop, which sells delicate reed paintings and woven reed crafts, as well as local ecological products such as reed crabs, free-range chickens, farm eggs and wild chive blossoms to meet your shopping needs.

Niuxintaobao National Wetland Park prioritises the protection of wetland ecological features, regional landscapes and biodiversity so as to maintain a virtuous cycle of natural ecosystems. The park strives to build an ecologically important tourist scenic area and a demonstration zone for wetland ecological economy, and implements a technology-driven development strategy. Drawing on the water resources, it widely promotes the "reed-crab (fish)-rice" compound eco-agricultural model successfully tested here by Academician Liu Xingtu and his research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

This is a modern multi-functional wetland park that integrates ecological benefits, tourism, cultural heritage, popular science education and eco-industry. The profound wetland culture, charming riverside customs, enchanting natural scenery and boundless reed marshes will leave visitors with wonderful and lasting memories. With its distinctive ecological beauty and thriving eco-economy, Niuxintaobao National Wetland Park will shine brightly as a pearl on the Songnen Plain.