Stunning Views at National Wetland Park

Jiayuguan Caohu National Wetland Park meets the sky at sunset. [Photo for chinadaily.com.cn]

Jiayuguan Caohu National Wetland Park, located at the frontier of the Badain Jaran Desert and the Mengxin Gobi in Gansu province, features both natural and man-made wetlands formed by rivers and springs.

Covering 1,379 hectares, the park is one of the most important wetlands in the Hexi Corridor, a major artery of the ancient Silk Road. It plays important ecological roles, including windbreaks and sand control, as well as water storage and irrigation. It is an important part of the green ecological barrier of Jiayuguan city, and the first national-level natural ecological wetland park in Jiayuguan.

In midsummer, Caohu National Wetland Park is frequently graced by golden sunsets. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

On the lake inside the park, egrets, mallards, ruddy shelducks, great crested grebes and common coots flock in groups, with some grooming and diving or just seeming to play. Eagles and falcons chase in the sky and wild geese honk.

All in all, anyone would agree it's a beautiful wetland scene.

Xue Liang, director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Jiayuguan, said the vegetation coverage of the park has been increasing every year, providing a good habitat in which wild animals can live and breed. There are 66 species of higher plants and 142 species of wild animals in the park.

The Gobi Desert, oases, reeds, lakes and swamps enhance one another in a scenic feast. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The lake within the park sparkles at sunset. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Waterfowl are abundant and can be observed in the water and sky. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]