Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase 1) lies in Yancheng City, Jiangsu. Covering an area of 4,553 square kilometers (1,758 square miles), it has the world’s largest intertidal flat and vast coastal wetlands, which are the habitats of 680 species of vertebrates and a key hub on the migratory route of East Asian-Australian migratory birds. It was listed in World Heritage List of UNESCO at the 43rd World Heritage Conference on July 5th 2019. And on July 27, 2024, the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf (Phase 2) has also been lised in World Heritage of UNESCO at the 46th World Heritage Conference in India.
 

Due to the unique nature of sediments, hydrographic and topographical conditions in different regions, the area owns large-scale sand dunes, lagoons, rocky coasts and island reefs where endangered birds are concentrated. At the moment, the sediment accumulation and continental shelf subsidence are two dynamic geological process that continue to shape the landscape and ecological environment of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf, making it one of the most diverse and rich coasts in the world.  
 

There are 680 species of vertebrates in total, including 415 types of birds, 26 types of mammals, 9 types of amphibians, 14 types of reptiles, 216 kinds of fishes and 165 kinds of benthic animals. Intertidal flats provides habitant for 23 species of rare birds, 17 of which were listed in the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), covering critically endangered species, spoon-billed sandpiper and endangered species, common greenshank, black-faced spoonbill and etc.
 

As an important stop along the flyway between East Asia and Australasia, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf welcomes at least 2,000,000 northward wading birds, which accounts for 40% of the total number of wading birds migrating along the route and more than 100,000 wading birds migrating southward. Intertidal flats, marshes and shoals are breeding areas and nursery areas for fish and crustaceans, where an abundant biological diversity comes into being and rich food can be enjoyed by migrated birds.
 

There are only about 2,000 red-crowned cranes living on earth and every year, nearly 1,000 of them choose to spend their winter in this place, making it the world’s largest winter resort for red-crowned cranes. They usually stay from November to next March, when is a great time to see groups of red-crowned cranes flying, playing and hunting.

How to Get There: Take bus K2 or K202 from Yancheng Coach Station to get there directly. Duration is about 1.5 hours and ticket fare is CNY7.

Open Time	08:30 – 17:00
Ticket Price	CNY42

 

Dafeng Milu Nature Reserve is an important scenic spot in Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf with more than 70% area covered by vegetation. The Yellow Sea wetland ecological system is well preserved here. The number of Pere David's Deer, in Chinese Milu has increased from 39 to over 4,500, and the reproduction rate, survival rate and annual growth rate are the highest in the world. The reserve has the biggest milu gene pool in the world, making it a fantastic place where forest, grass, water, milu and birds coexist peacefully. The milu nature reserve is now open to customers.

How to Get There: From Dafeng Coach Station in Yancheng, direct coaches leave for the nature reserve at 07:00, 09:30 and 13:30. Duration is about 2.5.

Open Time	08:00 – 17:30
Ticket Price	CNY55