Trip Overview
Zhalong Natural Reserve is located at the lower reaches of Wuyur River of Songnen Plain, the western part of Heilongjiang Province, with the total area of 210,000 ha. / 518,700 acres.
The formation of the wetland in Zhalong Natural Reserve originated from the Wuyur River of the Lesser Xing\'an Mountains to this area, the overflow and flood of river has formed vast and permanent fresh water reed marshes and lakes.
Zhalong Wetland hosts more than 260 species of birds, including 35 species of national protection birds, particularly home for cranes. There are currently 15 species of cranes survived in the world. China has 9 species, while Zhalong Reserve has 6 species. Especially the red-crowned crane, there are over 2000 wild red-crowned cranes in the world, while Zhalong Reserve has more than 400 of them. Therefore, Zhalong Wetland is the largest inhabiting and multiplying place of red-crowned cranes in the world as well. Moreover, there are also “post houses” and “shelters” for many transnational migrating birds that live through the winter in island countries of Pacific Ocean, Southeastern coast and the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River but multiply in Mongolia and Russia. Hundreds of thousands of birds pass by Zhalong Wetland and every spring and autumn.
Day 1 Arrive Harbin
Fly or train to Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang Province. The charming city has characteristic of Chinese, Russian and even Jewish.
Upon settle down, we drive out of the city to the marshland along Songhua River for birding.
Have a birding briefing in the evening.
Overnight Harbin Holiday Inn 4*
(L, D)
Day 2 Harbin to Zhalong
Today, we will take train of T5001 (07:00/09:45) with soft seats to Qiqihar. We meet our van in the railway station and transfer to have lunch in the city.
After lunch, we drive about half an hour to Zhalong Natural Reserve and settle down in the guest house. Start our birding this afternoon.
Overnight Guest house in Zhalong
(B, L, D)
Day 3 Birding in Zhalong
Early this morning, we explore the area around the guest house. After breakfast, we head out for marshy land in wild to watch the cranes in the wild. Today, we have box lunch with us.
Overnight Guest house in Zhalong
(B, L, D)
Day 4 Birding in Zhalong
Morning explore around the guesthouse in another direction.
After breakfast, we drive to another area and start to head by foot to watch the cranes. We drive back hotel for rest during the day and in the afternoon birding around the lake by the guest house.
Overnight Guest house in Zhalong
(B, L, D)
Day 5 Zhalong to Harbin
We depart Zhalong Natural Reserve in the morning and head for Qiqihar. En route, we will take a stop by another lake where we might see thousands of birds migrating in herds.
Drive to Qiqihar for lunch and then take train of T5204(13:14/35-15：56) with soft seats back Harbin.
Overnight Harbin Holiday Inn 4*
(B, L, D)
Day 6 Depart Harbin
In the morning, have a short city tour to Church St. Sophia, which was firstly built in 1922 by the Russians, and Zhongyang Dajie, the central avenue where the century old building are shining their charm.
Then take flight departing Harbin for home.
Trip ends.
(B, L)
