Chongming Dongtan｜Encounter the "Oriental Snow Crown" White-naped Cranes and Windmill Sunset at the Yangtze River Estuary

Who says wetlands only have reeds and mudflats? Must-do here👇 🚴‍♀️ Ride along the free ecological cycling trail Deep into the Dongtan Wetland The wooden boardwalk clicks and clacks The salty sea breeze from the Yangtze River mouth brushes your face Suddenly A white shadow flashes by! The "Sky Elf" has arrived! Up ahead is the critically endangered species with only 11,000 left worldwide The White-naped Crane itself is here! Gray tuxedo + white collar Long legs elegantly touching the water, graceful and ethereal Every October to November They stay in Dongtan for about 42 days This encounter is rarer than pandas! [Chongming Dongtan Wetland] Dongwang Avenue, Chongming District, Shanghai (near Dongtan Avenue) Open all day Free, free, free! Best photo time: November 16:45-17:02 This place is truly extraordinary: The life code library shaped by the Yangtze River over 4,000 years An ecological womb the size of 340 People’s Squares One-third of China’s migratory birds stop here Winter dining hall for 500+ white-naped cranes Key tips: [Cycling Tips] 1️⃣ Bike rental deposit 200 yuan, scan code to rent (bringing your own bike is recommended) 2️⃣ Birds are most active at dawn or dusk 3️⃣ After rain, the low-flying crane flocks are spectacular [Crane Watching Guide] Look for "gray clothes, white collar, three calls" V-shaped formation is easy to spot "Clang-clang-clang" metallic calls [Top Photo Spot] Central wooden stake at the windmill viewing platform Remember this composition formula: Windmill blade = 1.5 times the sun’s diameter Crane flock flies into the frame along a 15° fan Every shot is wallpaper-worthy! Year-round birdwatching calendar: Spring: Watch black-faced spoonbills "combing mud" Summer: Watch mudskippers "dancing" Autumn: White-naped crane flock "grand parade" Winter: Little swans "ice skating" Guardianship agreement: Allowed: cycling/photography/sketching Not allowed: flying drones/flying kites/entering restricted areas A little secret for you: If you quietly wait for 20 minutes You might witness the miracle of cranes flying close to your face You can even see the clouds reflected in their pupils! "We are not managers, We are people waiting for spring with the cranes." — Forest ranger Lao Chen Reply: "Get Dongtan Crane Trail Handbook" Receive: ✅ PDF observation calendar ✅ Complete photography settings ✅ 30 seconds of crane calls audio Come to this date with a critically endangered species Watch them gently place the whole autumn In the palm of your hand