National park · China
Xianghai National Nature Reserve向海自然保护区
Visit Xianghai for birdwatching: buy a park entry ticket (≈30 CNY) and take the 2‑hour prairie loop early in the morning; avoid peak crane season (Oct‑Jan) if you prefer fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
approximate
Established
1992
Best months
Apr–May
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- China ↗Most nationalities need a visa, a unilateral visa-free entry (the list and end dates change) or the transit exemption below. Confirm your route on the official sites before you buy a ticket.
- China ↗Transit stay without a visa: up to 240 hours (10 days) for citizens of about 55 listed countries who pass through China to a third country or region, with a confirmed onward ticket and a stay inside the permitted area (Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei count as one area). It replaced the 144-hour rule in December 2024, which some older pages still quote. Use the transit lane at immigration, show the onward ticket, and check the current nationality list. Hong Kong and Macau count as separate regions; check whether your ticket qualifies.
- China ↗Foreign visitors must register their address with the police within 24 hours; hotels do it at check-in with your passport. Carry the original passport at all times: hotels, trains, museums, Tiananmen Square and police checks ask for it.
- China ↗Set up Alipay or WeChat Pay with a foreign card before you fly. QR payment is the default in shops, taxis and many stalls, and some places refuse cash or a foreign card. Carry cash as a backup.
- China ↗Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and many news sites are blocked. Use an eSIM with roaming (it routes through your home network) or install and test a VPN before you fly; VPN sites and app stores are hard to reach inside China, and only government-approved VPNs are officially permitted.
At a glance
- Country
- China
- Area
- 1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
- Approximate size; official sources give varied figures around 1,500 km².
- Established
- 1992
- Best months
- Apr–May
- Permits
- For some areas
Xianghai National Nature Reserve protects the eastern Horqin grassland on the Songliao Plain, offering extensive prairie habitats for over 200 bird species, including six crane species, and showcases Mongol cultural heritage.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1992.
Size and age
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²) · national park since 1992
Approximate size; official sources give varied figures around 1,500 km².
Why go
- Prairie birdwatching on the Songliao Plain.
- See six crane species and over 200 other birds.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCranes present, cold but clear.
- FebCranes still visible.
- MarMilder, good for walking.
- AprBlooming steppe, comfortable temps.
- MayPeak bird activity, pleasant weather.
- JunHeat rises, some insects.
- JulHot, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugHot, rain possible.
- SepCooling, good visibility.
- OctCranes migrate, fewer crowds.
- NovCold, clear skies.
- DecCold, crane sightings possible.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cranes (e.g., Siberian, Red‑crowned)Oct–Mar · Watch from designated platforms. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
| Grassland birds (e.g., larks, buntings)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Jilin City
Bus to Tongyu County, then local taxi to reserve gate.
3–4 h
From Harbin
Train to Jilin City, then bus as above.
5–6 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, ticket office, short prairie loop. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cranes observation zone | Wetland fields where cranes feed. | Guided walks in spring/fall. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on Tongyu County centre.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | CNY 30 (≈ US$5) | person | Ticket bought at reserve gate. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the reserve.
- Camping
- Prohibited; stay in Tongyu town.
- Drones
- Forbidden without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Tongyu town hotels
Basic rooms, 15‑km drive to reserve.
Safety
Heat medium
Mosquitoes low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Flat trails suitable for wheelchairs with assistance.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect grassland.
- Support local guides for community benefit.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Xianghai National Nature Reserve?
Entry is 30 CNY per person, purchased at the reserve gate.
What are the best hikes in Xianghai National Nature Reserve?
The 2‑hour prairie birdwatching loop and the seasonal cranes feeding walk are the main trails.
When is the best time to visit Xianghai National Nature Reserve?
April‑May and October‑November offer good weather and strong bird activity with fewer crowds.
Can I camp inside the reserve?
No, camping is prohibited; stay in nearby Tongyu town.
Are pets allowed?
Pets are not permitted within the reserve boundaries.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Xianghai National Nature Reserve
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