Over 1,200 swans are painting a serene white landscape at the Swan Spring Wetland in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region this winter – the highest number since environmental surveys began in the 1990s. The thermal springs fueling this oasis maintain liquid blue waters year-round, creating an avian paradise amid Northwest China's freezing temperatures.
Nature’s Winter Sanctuary
Located in Yining County, the wetland’s unfrozen waters now host migrating whooper swans, mute swans, and rare red-breasted geese. Local conservationists attribute the 30-year population growth to habitat restoration projects and community protection efforts, with winter counts rising by 7-12% annually since 2015.
Ecotourism Meets Sustainability
The site has become a model for balancing wildlife preservation with responsible tourism. Over 100,000 visitors annually observe birds via elevated walkways that minimize ecological impact, while educational programs teach Uygur and Han Chinese youth about migratory patterns linking Central Asia to Siberia.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
