The Yellow River Delta National Natural Reserve was established in 1992 with the approval from the of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. The reserve is located in the Yellow River Estuary of the Yellow River Delta formed by the sand brought by the Yellow River within the administrative area of Dongying City in the northeast of Shandong Province.
The reserve is a wetland-type reserve aimed at protecting the newly formed wetland ecosystem, rare and endangered birds. With a total area of 1530 square km, the reserve is divided into two parts – South part (the present estuary) and the North part (the estuary in 1976).
The land of the reserve is formed by the sand brought by the Yellow River, the second longest river in China. The reserve has a coastal ecosystems of 131km. Every year, the Yellow River brings about 1.5 billion tons of sand, producing new wetland and extending 3km into the Bohai Bay. The newly formed land is suitable for the various birds to stay and live here. It is also home a great variety of plants.
393 plant species are recorded in the natural reserve. 1524 wild animal species are recorded in the natural reserve. Among them, 10 species are listed as Class 1 of the national key protection species like Red-Crowned Crane, Oriental White Stork and 49 species of class Second such as Common Crane, whooper swan and etc.
The Yellow River Delta National Natural Reserve is rich in tourist resources. The unique geographic position and favorable ecological conditions make the reserve a paradise for visitors – Yellow River estuary, wild birds and seashore.
The Administration of The Yellow River Delta National Natural Reserve
Add: 58 Yihe Road, Dongying City, Shandong Province 257091
Tel: 0546-8381988
Fax： 0546-8305828
Can you recommend which boat trips would be best for bird watchers who want to travel by river at a leisurely pace to observe the birds? Maybe stopping at local villages to sample the cuisine?
Hi David F. Flanders,
As far as I know,the local cruise company only offers leisure and tourism boating around the Yellow River Estuary. No birding cruises are arranged in this area.