Crane flights
Several times a day.
Huanokinhejo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Liuzihao223 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Amarespeco — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Amarespeco — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Amarespeco — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Huanokinhejo — CC BY-SA 4.0 · funcn — CC BY 3.0 · Amarespeco — CC BY-SA 4.0
A reserve of freshwater marsh, reeds, ponds and streams covering some 2,100 square kilometres, founded in 1979; it lies on a bird migration route from the Russian Arctic to South-east Asia, so birds pass through or nest here between April and October, more than three hundred species in all, among them storks, swans and herons, and it is a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Its star is the red-crowned crane, a tall, elegant white bird with a red cap; the reserve keeps a flock for conservation and releases twenty to thirty of them several times a day to fly over the reeds in front of visitors, who see them up close. Tickets cost CNY 65 including the electric car, or 45 in the quiet season, and it is open from 8 am to 4 pm, until 6 pm in summer, per visitor guides. June to September is the best time for birds.
Several times a day.
To the horizon.
April to October.
South-east of Qiqihar city, Heilongjiang
Choices are few at the reserve, so bring food and look in Qiqihar city for restaurants run by Hui Muslims under the halal sign.