THE 5TH WORLD CONGRESS OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES

Saihan Wula Biosphere Reserve
Editor: ZHANG Nannan | May 20, 2025
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Located in the northern part of Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, Saihan Wula stretches across meadows, wetlands, and sandy landscapes, forming a diverse natural haven. Covering an area comparable to Hong Kong, it was designated by UNESCO in 2001.

Saihan Wula sits at the transition between forest and grassland, broad-leaved and coniferous forests, forming an essential link between diverse plant and animal regions.

Rivers and wetlands weave across the reserve, home to whooper and tundra swans, while golden eagles and greater spotted eagles soar over grasslands and dense woods. It's also a vital habitat for Chinese goral and wild Northeast red deer populations.

The mountains preserve spectacular glacial relics: the majestic Ice Great Wall, the roaring Ice Stone River, winding U-shaped valleys, and crystal-clear glacial potholes. The area is also renowned for its rare mineral springs, uniquely featuring six distinct tastes—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, salty, and astringent.

Saihan Wula has been inhabited since prehistoric times, with mysterious rock paintings bearing witness to ancient civilizations. As the homeland of the Khitan people, it carries the glorious legacy of the Liao Dynasty.

Here, grasslands and forests clasp hands along the ridges, glaciers blend with culture, and Saihan Wula shines as a dazzling gem on the ecological corridor of Northeast Asia.

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