The Changshan Islands migratory bird habitat in Dalian, Liaoning province, was officially inscribed onto the UNESCO World Natural Heritage List last Monday during the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea. Added as part of the serial World Heritage site “Migratory Bird Habitats along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China,” the new listing reinforces China’s international standing in environmental conservation. With this addition, China now boasts 15 World Natural Heritage sites and four mixed natural and cultural heritage sites, maintaining its rank as the global leader in World Natural Heritage holdings.
Spanning more than 4,900 hectares across four core protection zones, the Changshan Islands occupy a critical strategic location along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway. The island habitat provides essential stopover and nesting conditions for over 140 bird species, supporting complex marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Most notably, the archipelago serves as the world’s largest breeding ground for the endangered Swinhoe’s egret, making the sanctuary an indispensable refuge for global avian conservation and biodiversity research.
The World Natural Heritage designation highlights Northeast China’s growing appeal as an eco-tourism and bird-watching destination for global travelers. As international demand rises for sustainable, nature-focused travel, the Changshan Islands offer visitors an extraordinary opportunity to observe rare migratory species in their undisturbed natural habitat. Local conservation authorities aim to balance strict ecological protection with low-impact educational tourism, establishing the islands as a premier coastal sanctuary along China's northern coastline.