In golden-autumn September, the launching ceremony of the 2nd Jiangsu-Yancheng (Yanwu) International Bird-watching Carnival was held at the Yellow Sea Wetlands Museum. As a World Natural Heritage site, Yancheng welcomed experts, scholars, bird-watchers and conservationists worldwide to celebrate migratory birds and wetland ecology.
The event kicked off with the dance Auspicious Cranes Soaring. Wu Qijiang, director of the Yancheng Wetland and World Natural Heritage Protection & Management Center, addressed the gathering. He introduced Yancheng’s status as a key hub on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. By applying Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and the Tiaozini “720 High-tide Roost Habitat Conservation Model”, the city has recorded 467 bird species, realizing harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Choi Jin-i, Secretary-General of the Korea Tidal Flat Promotion Team, highlighted the value of citizen scientists. She stressed that combining public bird observations with expert research enables more effective ecological monitoring.
The carnival rolled out the themed “Yanwu Bird-watching” travel route covering Tiaozini, Red-crowned Crane Wetland Ecotourism Zone and the Yellow Sea Wetlands Museum, with professional guides and bird-watching devices for visitors. It also inaugurated the “Yanwu · Feather-Creativity” National Bird-themed Cultural and Creative Design Competition.
A stunning 3D aerobatic model flight show staged brilliant stunts and enlivened the scene. The outdoor “Feathered Home · Ecological Market” gathered nearly 40 stalls featuring bird-watching equipment, bird-related creative products, publications and local ecological agricultural goods, drawing crowds of guests and citizens.
A series of supporting events took place alongside the launch. The International Seminar on Migratory Bird Conservation and Sustainable Bird-watching Economy discussed flyway conservation, spoon-billed sandpiper protection and eco-tourism development. Other activities included the National Youth Avian Aircraft Competition and the Heritage Site Sustainable Development Salon. The 3rd “Yancheng Tiaozini Cup” International Bird-watching Activity started simultaneously at Tiaozini with 36 teams from home and abroad. The Red-crowned Crane International Wetland Bird-watching Season will run from November to next March to extend the carnival’s influence.
Building on the success of the 2025 inaugural edition, the carnival serves as an international exchange platform. Yancheng will further leverage its World Natural Heritage brand, explore wetland ecological value, and advance sound development of the bird-watching economy.