Tens of thousands of migratory birds have descended upon the Liaohekou National Nature Reserve in Panjin City, northeast China’s Liaoning Province. This annual spectacle transforms the reserve into a bustling haven for avian travelers making their long journey along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway—one of the world’s busiest bird migration routes.
The Liaohekou reserve serves as a critical stopover for these birds, offering them a place to rest and refuel before continuing their migration. The influx not only highlights the importance of China’s wetlands in global biodiversity but also provides a breathtaking sight for locals and visitors alike.
China is a significant hotspot for bird diversity, boasting over 1,500 species—around 13 percent of the world’s total. Remarkably, more than 800 of these species are migratory. The country is intersected by four of the planet’s nine major bird migration routes, underscoring its vital role in the preservation of these species.
Efforts to protect and preserve natural habitats like the Liaohekou reserve are crucial. They not only support global biodiversity but also offer educational and ecological benefits that resonate with communities worldwide.
