On September 9, large flocks of migratory shorebirds including dunlins, Eurasian curlews and spoon-billed sandpipers formed spectacular bird waves across the tidal flats of Yancheng Yellow Sea Wetland, a World Natural Heritage Site. Birdwatchers crouched at observation platforms, documenting foraging birds with cameras and telescopes.
According to Li Dongming, a patrol volunteer at Tiaozini, visitor numbers have soared this autumn migration season. Hundreds of bird enthusiasts gather on weekends, a sharp increase compared with previous years. Travellers come from across the country, including Shanghai, Beijing, Zhejiang, Anhui and other regions. Young audiences dominate: teenagers and young adults learn about the site from Xiaohongshu, while older bird lovers get information via short-video platforms and WeChat. The youngest recorded visitor this year was a six-year-old child.
Young birdwatchers. Photo by Li Xiuqin
The booming birdwatching trend has boosted local tourism. Homestays, seafood restaurants and hotels have seen higher turnover. Local host Li Xiuqin organises amateur birdwatching events to create an overnight tourism model integrating accommodation, dining and bird observation. Online records also reflect this craze: 5,747 birdwatching reports for Yancheng were submitted to the China Bird Report platform in one year, with 1,187 entries logged in August alone.
Birdwatching Boom. Photo by Li Dongming
Rare bird species are a major draw. In 2026, up to 31 spoon-billed sandpipers were spotted at once, including the ring-tagged individual “HU” that has returned for ten consecutive years. Banded spotted greenshanks have also been recorded. Home to Asia’s best-preserved coastal tidal flats with abundant food resources, the wetland serves as a critical “ark of life” for migratory birds. Conservation work including the 720-Highland high-tide roosting site and wetland restoration projects further safeguards bird habitats. Social media sharing has turned this once niche site into a popular public birdwatching destination.
Birdwatchers at Yucun Tinghai Homestay. Photo by Li Xiuqin
Spoon-billed Sandpiper HU. Photo by Li Dongming
The 2nd Jiangsu Yancheng International Birdwatching Carnival opened on September 12 at the Yellow Sea Wetland Museum, featuring bird-themed markets, photography exhibitions and conservation-focused seminars. Its highlight, the 3rd “Yancheng Tiaozini Cup” International Birdwatching Competition, attracted participants aged 12 to 68, with students forming an energetic new-generation group.
A core node on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, Yancheng Yellow Sea Wetland was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2019. Additional heritage buffer zones were designated in 2024 and 2026 to strengthen the integrity of the site. Birdwatching here now unites wildlife protection with local cultural and tourism development, making the wetland Yancheng’s iconic ecological calling card.
Birdwatchers at Yancheng Yellow Sea Wetland. Photo by Li Dongming