Xianghai National Nature Reserve

Xianghai (pronounced Shianghi in English) National Nature Reserve is located in eastern Jilin Province (45°55' - 45°09'N and 112°05' - 122°31'E; 156-192 m above sea level). The reserve lies in the transitional zone between the Mongolian Prairies and Northeast Plains of northeastern China. The reserve area is 105,467 hectares.

The reserve is composed of freshwater lakes and marshes, seasonal flooded meadows and grasslands. The site hosts an important diversity of habitats and a great variety of bird species. More than 600 plant species have been identified in the reserve, of which more than 200 species are medicinal plants.

Migratory Birds in Xianghai

The Xianghai Reserve is well known for the diversity of birds found in the region. The site regularly supports over 20,000 waterbirds, and it is an important breeding area for rare and endangered bird species, including the endangered Red-crowned Crane and the White-naped and Demoiselle Cranes, Oriental White Stork and Great Bustard. The reserve is also an important migration stop-over site for several crane species, including the Siberian, Eurasian and Hooded Cranes. In the spring of 2000, the reserve completed a survey of migratory cranes, counting 190 Red-crowned Cranes, 24 White-naped Cranes, 3 Demoiselle Cranes, 85 Siberian Cranes, 60 Eurasian Cranes and 1 Hooded Crane.

Conservation Status

Currently the wetland is used for seasonal tourism, mostly bird watching. Tourists can visit the reserve’s Museum of Specimen Collection and see captive cranes as well as view wild birds. Nests of some rare birds and natural forests of Mongolian elm located close to the headquarters attract even more visitors.

The Xianghai Reservoir was established in 1971, with a retaining water volume of 13,000,000m3. Due to many consecutive years of drought, the Huolin river water level is very low and flow-break is a common phenomenon. Approximately 12,000ha in the core area of the reserve is cultivated; there are six villages and over 20 stations for reed collection. The most common farming practice is extensive cultivation, so over-grazing and tilling of virgin land represents another threat to the natural habitats within the reserve.

Beautiful pictures from Xianghai

Students and teachers near Xianghai Nature Reserve

Village near Xianghai Nature Reserve

	Do you like these houses in Xianghai? There are many mud houses there.

Data from Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands for Xianghai Nature Reserve (2000)