Based on the Shandong Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve, the Yellow River Estuary Ecotourism Area in Dongying, Shandong province is located in the delta where the Yellow River, China's mother river, joins the Bohai Sea.

The area is renowned as the most complete, broadest and youngest wetland ecosystem in the country. Praised as "one of the most beautiful wetlands in China", it covers an area of 153,000 hectares and boasts unique ecotourism resources. 

The area is now home to 1,626 types of wild animals, including 368 kinds of birds. There are 12 species of birds in the top national protection class and 51 species in the second. It also abounds in vegetation, boasting 393 kinds of plants, with plant coverage of 55.1 percent.

Covering an area of 153,000 hectares, the Yellow River Estuary Ecotourism Area in Dongying, Shandong province is a land that hums with life and activity. [Photo by Ding Hongan/Dongying Weekly] 

An aerial photo shows the unique wetland landscape of the Yellow River Estuary Ecotourism Area in Dongying, Shandong province. [Photo by Hu Youwen/Dongying Weekly]

An aerial view shows the clear boundary in fair weather between the colors of deep blue and yellow where the Yellow River and the Bohai Sea join. [Photo by Li Yanan/Dongying Weekly]