Zhalong National Natural Reserve

It lies in the downstream of the Wuyuer River and is 30 kilometers away from Qiqihar in the northwest with the area of 210 thousand hectares. It is the most complete, original and vast wetland biological system in the same latitude of northeast China, having the fame of being the “hometown of red-crown cranes”.

Zhalong National-level Natural Reserve was founded in 1979. It was promoted to national level in 1987 and was listed in an international important wetland directory. Zhalong Natural Reserve is the first waterfowl natural reserve in China. There are 248 species of birds and the main protection is for the crane. Currently, there are 15 species of cranes in the world and 6 species of cranes can be seen in Zhalong. They are red-crown cranes, whitenaped cranes, white cranes, hooded cranes, demoiselle cranes and common cranes. It really is “the hometown of cranes”.