About Dashanbao Crane Reserve Viewing Area
The reserve's wetland sits at the confluence of the Jinsha and Niulan rivers, upstream of the Xiluodu and Xiangjiaba cascade hydropower stations, forming part of the Jinsha (Yangtze) river basin ecosystem; 5,958 hectares, 31 per cent of the reserve's total area, is alpine marsh-meadow wetland, an important habitat for wintering black-necked cranes and other migratory birds. The reserve has recorded 119 bird species, including 12 nationally first-class protected species such as the black-necked crane, Siberian crane, Oriental stork, golden eagle, eastern imperial eagle and white-tailed eagle, alongside 253 vertebrate species overall and 737 vascular plant species. The black-necked crane, the reserve's primary protected species, is a crane endemic to China, the most recently scientifically discovered of the world's 15 crane species and the only one that lives at 2,500 to 5,000 metres elevation, classed as internationally endangered and nationally first-class protected wildlife.
Cranes arrive each autumn at the reserve's Dahaizi wetland: in the 2023 season the first three were recorded on 2 November, rising to 21 by 4 November, alongside more than ten other migratory species including black-headed gull, wood sandpiper and night heron. Wetland protection and restoration, ecological-benefit compensation and food-source base construction have helped keep wintering crane numbers above 1,500 in recent years, peaking at over 1,900.
What to look for
- The Dahaizi wetland, where the reserve's wintering black-necked cranes first arrive each autumn.
- The reserve's alpine marsh-meadow wetland, 5,958 hectares and an important habitat for wintering black-necked cranes and other migratory birds.
- Other wintering migratory birds recorded at the reserve, including black-headed gull, wood sandpiper and night heron.
Location & getting there
Getting to Dashanbao Crane Reserve Viewing Area
Check the open visitor route and follow the site’s rules on distance, food and photography. Conservation areas may limit access beyond designated paths.
- Search for 大山包外围合法观景区 with 昭通市 and 昭阳区.
Find Dashanbao Crane Reserve Viewing Area
大山包外围合法观景区 · 昭阳区
No reliable map pin yet: search by the Chinese name.
Sources & visit information
The linked sources support the identity and background described in this introduction. Opening hours, admission, activity availability and exact arrival arrangements have not been comprehensively checked. Confirm current visitor information with the venue; the original catalogue locality and editorial review flag are retained.