It's hard to believe that a few decades ago, this area was bare land. Today, it is the largest man-made ecological forest park in East China, covering 68,000 mu (over 45 square kilometres) with a forest coverage rate of 90%.
When you climb the tallest observation tower, from the top, you can see an uninterrupted sea of green. The wind carried a freshness I hadn't felt anywhere else. With 628 plant species, 342 bird species, and nearly 30 mammals, this forest is not only a shelter for wildlife but also a living testament to human commitment to ecological restoration.
UNESCO has even recognised it as a rare, unpolluted coastal destination along the western Pacific coast, and standing there, I understood why.
A short drive away, I found myself immersed in one of the world's most important coastal wetland ecosystems, the Dongtai Tiaozini Wetland Reserve.
The name 'Tiaozini' comes from the strip-like creeks that shape its landscape. With 1.29 million mu (about 860 square kilometres) of intertidal wetlands, it's the largest of its kind in the world, serving as a critical stopover on the East Asianâ€"Australasian Flyway for migratory birds.
Here, I watched spoon-billed sandpipers and oriental storks through telescopes, guided by experts who explained their migration patterns. I was struck by how these fragile birds travel thousands of kilometres every year, depending on this exact spot to survive.
The feeling of witnessing rare species in their natural habitat was both humbling and unforgettable.
Next, I visited the Dafeng Milu National Nature Reserve, home to the world's largest wild population of milu deer. Once extinct in China, these deer were reintroduced in 1986 with just 39 individuals. Today, the reserve spans 40,000 mu and shelters more than 8,500 milu, including 3,673 living in the wild.
Seeing them roam freely against the backdrop of wetlands was like stepping into a storybook. The reserve also protects over 400 other animal species, making it a global model for endangered species protection.
My journey through Yancheng's ecological wonders concluded at Jianhu Jiulongkou National Wetland Park, a lagoon-like landscape where nine rivers converge.
What amazed me most was that it's China's first carbon-neutral scenic spot, combining wetland restoration with low-carbon tourism. Walking along its wooden pathways, I felt as though I was in a living classroom, one where conservation and tourism coexist in perfect balance.
Yancheng is often called 'the Oriental Wetland and the Pearl of the Yellow Sea,' and after visiting these places, I understood the title deeply. This is not just a destination; it's a living example of how people and nature can thrive together. For travellers who love eco-tourism, biodiversity, and meaningful journeys, Yancheng offers experiences that are both breathtaking and enlightening.
Christian Mugisha
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/exploring-yancheng-s-ecological-treasures-and-endless-inspiration
