Ningde Mandarin Ducks Creek

( chinadaily.com.cn )

Updated: 2014-03-06

Mandarin Ducks Creek - a national scenic spot - is the only reserve for mandarin ducks in China. It is located in the northeast of Pingnan county, 30 kilometers away from the town and on the border of the counties of Pingnan, Zhouning and Zhenghe, covering 78.8 square kilometers.

The creek stretches 14 kilometers, and hundreds of mandarin ducks fly from the north of the country to escape the winter weather – and this is why mandarin ducks were found in Pingnan about 100 years ago.

The scenic spot consists of Baishui Lake, Mandarin Ducks Creek, Cha Creek, Baizhu Yang, Kao Creek and Mandarin Ducks Lake.

Baishui Lake is located in the upper reaches of Mandarin Ducks Creek, and there are also waterfalls and caves near the lake. Three huge rocks, including one measuring 40000 square meters, lie at the bottom of the river and people can walk on the stones with the water covering their feet.

Baishui Lake [Photo from Pingnan County government]

Visitors to the creek can thus expect to see mandarin ducks, as well as macaques and rare plants, waterfalls, rocks, caves and pools – and also foggy weather. In addition, Baizhangji waterfall cave is one of China's most famous waterfall caves.

Cha Creek is located downstream of Mandarin Ducks Creek.

Shuizhu Lake, also known as Kao Creek, is located to the west of Cha Creek - and it is surrounded by peaks, valleys and Huangshan Mountain pine trees.

Mandarin Ducks Lake, located in the Double Creek county, consists of a lake and islands, and visitors can enjoy the sight of mandarin ducks and azaleas – in addition to temples and pagodas.

Edited by Wang Yifei and Niva Whyman