Lijiang’s Lashihai lake ushers in 100,000 migratory birds

Cranes and geese fly and forage on the Lashihai lake in northwest Yunnan's Lijiang city in winter.

Hooded cranes, bar-headed geese and other rare birds are flying and foraging on the Lashihai lake in northwest Yunnan's Lijiang city nowadays, attracting photographers and tourists to the wetland area for bird watching.

Among the 341 bird species that have been recorded at Lashihai lake, 11 belong to first-class state-protected species including black stork, black-necked crane and Chinese merganser, while 59 are second-class state-protected birds like grey crane and Eurasian spoonbill.

 

A tourist watch the cranes and geese at the Lashihai lake in northwest Yunnan's Lijiang city.

Lashihai has entered the peak period for migratory birds to overwinter. More than 100,000 migratory birds have arrived at the wetland, reaching a record high in terms of both the number of species and individuals.

The lake area received 1.1 million visitors in 2023, generating a tourism revenue of about 84.91 million yuan. This represents a year-on-year increase of 107 percent. 1,190 households of villagers have increased their income by running homestays and providing eco-tourist services.

 

Cranes and geese rest on the Lashihai lake in northwest Yunnan's Lijiang city.

Tourists watch the cranes and geese at the Lashihai lake in northwest Yunnan's Lijiang city.  

Source: Lijiang Digital Media Center