Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On a chilly winter morning, the lakeside of Haibao Park in Yinchuan is still vibrant with life. Visitors flock to the ice rink, with ice sleds and ice bikes attracting many citizens and tourists. On the unfrozen water, flocks of gulls skim and soar, while herons stand quietly on the shallows. Humans and birds coexist harmoniously, a peaceful and dynamic scene unfolds in this northwestern city, a picture of urban and lake coexisting in winter.
"I never imagined that a northern winter could have such a scene. Lively ice, birds by the water, and the shimmering lake completely overturned my impression of northwestern cities," exclaimed Deng Yumeng, a tourist from Yunnan. This winter vitality is a vivid testament to Yinchuan's years of dedicated efforts in wetland protection.
February 2, 2026, will be the 30th World Wetlands Day. As one of the world's first "International Wetland Cities" and the only city in Northwest China to receive this certification, Yinchuan has explored a path of coordinated wetland protection and urban development in the arid western inland region. The Yellow River flows through the city for 84 kilometers, nurturing 53,000 hectares of wetlands and nearly 200 natural lakes. This not only makes Yinchuan a reality, earning it the reputation of a "lake city in the northwest," but also makes it an important stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory birds.
Relying on its excellent wetland ecology, Yinchuan has recorded 242 species of wild birds, including 11 species under first-class national protection and 38 species under second-class national protection. Every spring, more than 100,000 migratory birds arrive as scheduled, inhabiting and breeding among the lakes and mudflats. White-tailed eagles overwinter and raise their young in the Ningxia section of the Yellow River's main stream, migrating north with other birds in March of the following year. According to observations by the Ningxia Birdwatching Association, this area is not only an important wintering ground for white-tailed eagles, but may also be the largest wintering habitat for this rare bird species in China.
The excellent ecological environment in Yinchuan stems from years of systematic governance. The local government has incorporated wetland protection into its land-use planning, delineating protection red lines for 31 key lakes. It has also established a multi-channel water replenishment system, primarily using Yellow River water supplemented by reclaimed water and rainwater, to ensure ecological water use for lakes and wetlands. In recent years, Yinchuan has invested over 4 billion yuan, restoring 12,000 hectares of wetlands and connecting 150 kilometers of waterways. The water quality of the Ningxia section of the Yellow River has maintained a "Class II inflow, Class II outflow" standard for eight consecutive years, and the water quality of all lakes and wetlands has reached Class IV or above.
While strictly adhering to ecological bottom lines, Yinchuan actively explores a "wetland+" development model. This includes developing ecotourism such as winter ice skating and year-round birdwatching, cultivating ecological fisheries, and hosting distinctive events like the Red-billed Gull Culture Festival, transforming wetlands into urban ecological spaces with recreational, industrial, and cultural functions. Currently, Yinchuan has established four A-level wetland tourist attractions, and its cultural tourism industry continues to improve.
Yinchuan's wetland protection practices have also gained international recognition. In December 2025, at the 4th International Wetland Cities Mayors' Roundtable in Hungary, Yinchuan's experience in wetland management received widespread acclaim and it successfully passed the renewal certification as an international wetland city. In the past five years, Yinchuan has completed afforestation of 507,700 mu (approximately 33,887 hectares), constructing a multi-layered ecological barrier along the Yellow River and around lakes. The wetland protection rate has remained stable at 24.7%, providing a valuable model for wetland protection in semi-arid regions worldwide.
Today, wetlands have become Yinchuan's most distinctive green calling card. From the natural landscape of the ancient Yellow Sand Ferry to the everyday scenery along the city's lakeside, ecological protection and daily life blend seamlessly. This international wetland city, through its continuous ecological commitment, is ensuring that the harmonious picture of "the city in the lake, the lake in the city" continues naturally across Northwest China. (End)
