Zhalong, the hometown of the red-crowned crane, represents health and longevity

Zhalong Nature Reserve is located more than 30 kilometers southeast of Qiqihar City. It is the world's largest reed wetland and the hometown of red-crowned cranes. Red-crowned cranes are endangered birds. There are less than 2,000 red-crowned cranes in the world. From March to October every year, about 400 red-crowned cranes fly to Zhalong Wetland to breed and rest. You can see the graceful postures of red-crowned cranes in Zhalong, they are either flying with wings spread or staggering in the reeds for food.
The crane release performance is a special attraction of Zhalong Scenic Area. About 20-30 red-crowned cranes are released each time. You will see a group of red-crowned cranes in the distance starting to run and fly under the guidance of the crane releaser's swing, circling in the air for a while and then flying back to the release site.
Since the release site is a certain distance from the crane viewing trestle, if you want to take a wonderful picture, you must pay attention to the release time and prepare your camera (mobile phone) in advance. June to September is the best time to watch cranes, when there are more red-crowned cranes.
However, you should also be prepared. If the weather is bad, the release performance on that day may be cancelled.
To enter the park, you need to buy tickets and take the scenic shuttle bus to the visitor center, and then follow the park plank road to the release viewing platform. On the way, you will meet several privileged red-crowned cranes, leisurely strolling in every corner of the wetland, and you can appreciate the beauty of the red-crowned cranes up close.
Zhalong Red-crowned Crane Reserve has four release performances at 09:30, 11:00, 14:00, and 15:30.
Ticket + shuttle bus: RMB 73.
Preferential policy:
Children under 1.2 meters (inclusive) or under 6 years old (inclusive) are free.
Seniors over 65 years old (inclusive) are free.
Children aged 6 (inclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive) and seniors aged 60 (inclusive) to 65 years old can enjoy a half-price discount.
🕰️Opening hours:
April 16 to October 22, 7:30 am to 5:00 pm.
October 23 to April 15 of the following year, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
🗓️One-day itinerary and transportation:
Outbound: D6981 Harbin Station 06:58/08:28 Arrive at Qiqihar South Station → Take a taxi for 40 minutes to the scenic spot (you can coordinate with the online taxi driver to wait in the scenic spot parking lot (count as a half-day car package). After playing in the scenic spot and returning to the city, go to eat Qiqihar barbecue first, and then visit Mahayana Temple → St. Mitre Church → Arctic Cold Drink Hall Department Store Store → Moral Court (Taoism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and other five religions in one) → Jiefangmen Market, etc.
Return: Take D6994 Qiqihar South Station 18:10/Harbin 19:45
2025.5.14. Photographed in Zhalong Ecological Reserve