Zhalong Nature Reserve

Zhalong National Nature Reserve is a rare waterfowl distribution area in our country, mainly large water birds such as cranes, and is the largest breeding ground for red-crowned cranes in the world. It is located in the western part of Heilongjiang Province, the southeastern part of Qiqihar City, the Songnen Plain, the lower reaches of the Wuyuer River, the lake and marsh reed zone, with geographical coordinates of 123°47'～124°37' east longitude and 46°52'～47°32' north latitude. The boundary plane is irregularly olive-shaped from northeast to southwest, 80.6 kilometers long from south to north, 58.0 kilometers wide from east to west, with a total area of 210,000 hectares. It belongs to the wetland ecosystem type of nature reserve. The reserve has the world-famous Zhalong Wetland, which is the first in Asia and the fourth in the world, and also the largest reed wetland in the world. It was listed in the 'List of Important International Wetlands' in 1992. There are 15 species of cranes in the world, 9 species in China, and 6 species in Zhalong; there are less than 2000 red-crowned cranes in the world, and there are more than 400 in Zhalong.