Yancheng 盐城市 — Wetlands & Red-Crowned Cranes
Yancheng's name means 'Salt City,' reflecting its history as a major salt production center for over 2,000 years. Today, the city is better known for its vast coastal wetlands — the largest in China — which serve as critical habitat for migratory birds.
The Yancheng Coastal Wetlands are a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to the world's largest wintering population of red-crowned cranes. The area also shelters the endangered Milu deer (Père David's deer).
The city's modern side is pleasant and clean, with a growing tourism infrastructure around its natural attractions.
The world's most important wintering ground for red-crowned cranes, with over 600 birds arriving each winter (November–March). The reserve covers 450 sq km of coastal wetlands, reed marshes, and mudflats. The daily crane feeding at dawn is spectacular. The reserve is also home to Saunders's gulls and other endangered species.
Hours: 8:00–17:30
Admission: ¥40
Home to the world's largest population of Père David's deer (Milu deer), a species that was extinct in the wild and successfully reintroduced here. The reserve contains over 6,000 deer roaming freely across grasslands and wetlands. Safari-style vehicle tours get visitors close to the deer herds.
Hours: 8:00–17:00
Admission: ¥55
A museum dedicated to Yancheng's 2,000-year history of salt production. Exhibits cover the technology, economics, and culture of salt making in ancient China. The museum building itself is architecturally striking, designed to resemble salt crystals.
Hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed Mon)
Admission: Free