Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve

The Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve was set up in 1992 to protect the largest wetland ecosystem in northern China.

Located near Dongying City in Shandong Province, the reserve covers 153,000 hectares, made up of a 58,000 hectare core area, a buffer area of 13,000 hectares, and an 82,000 hectare experimental area, mainly consisting of reclaimed land.

The reserve is home to 1555 wild animal species including 10 Class I nationally protected animals, among which the red-crowned crane and the oriental white stork are the best known. There are also 49 Class II protected species. The reserve is one of the most important staging, wintering and breeding sites for birds migrating along the northeast Asia and west Pacific routes. More than 6 million birds winter, breed or stop-over in the reserve every year.

The reserve is also the most extensive vegetation zone on China's coast and is home to 393 separate plant species.

Photo gallery of the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve