Lalikun National Wetland Park is located in Yawa Township, Moyu County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert. It is a national 4A-level scenic area. The park is characterized by its integration of reservoir wetlands, reed swamps, and desert landscapes, featuring diverse ecosystems such as wetlands and sandlands. With rich flora and fauna resources and various wetland types including marshes, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, it serves as an ecological security barrier for the sandy areas of Moyu County and even Hotan Prefecture. The total planned area of the scenic area is 13,000 hectares, with a wetland area of 5,880 hectares, including 448 hectares of river wetlands. The park invested a total of 198,025,800 yuan during the construction period, with facilities such as a visitor center, ecological parking lot, RV camping base, and tourist public toilets.
History and Culture
Before becoming a wetland park, Lalikun was locally known as the "alkali pit," mainly used to discharge water from local farmers' irrigation. The slope protection along the shore was all "hard shells" due to excessive alkali content. In 2012, Lalikun Wetland began comprehensive protective development and construction, with Moyu County investing 360 million yuan in its protective development through investment attraction. In December 2018, Lalikun Wetland Park in the lower reaches of the Karakash River in Moyu was approved as a national wetland park by the State Forestry Administration. After years of careful management, the vegetation in Lalikun Wetland has been restored, and the number and species of wild animals and plants have significantly increased, making it an important ecological barrier and a key stopover for migratory birds in the region.
Main Attractions
Wetland Conservation Area
As the core area of the park's ecosystem, it provides a good habitat for numerous wild animals, with a large number of plants such as reeds and tamarisks, as well as national key protected wild animals like black storks and black-necked cranes.
Wetland Restoration and Reconstruction Area
Through measures such as dredging, sewage interception, and biological treatment, the damaged wetland ecosystem has been restored and reconstructed, now presenting a scene of lush water plants and flocks of waterbirds.
Education and Exhibition Area
Equipped with facilities such as a wetland science experience center, science museum, and cultural center, it promotes wetland ecological knowledge and protection concepts to visitors through static displays and dynamic observations.
Rational Use Area
It includes a leisure experience center, indoor water leisure hall, desert leisure area, sand sports area, etc. Visitors can engage in recreational activities here, such as fishing and boating by the lake, and experiencing sand sports in the desert.
Management and Service Area
It has built facilities such as a visitor center, ecological parking lot, and tourist public toilets, providing comprehensive services to meet the basic needs of visitors.
Food
There are some characteristic foods around Lalikun National Wetland Park.
Three Eggs and One Star
Including roasted chicken eggs, roasted goose eggs, and roasted pigeon eggs, which are rich in nutrition and unique in taste.
Watermelon Grilled Meat
Mutton is roasted in a watermelon, making the meat tender with the fragrance of watermelon.
Red Willow Grilled Meat
Mutton is skewered with red willow branches and roasted, with the aroma of red willow adding a unique flavor to the meat.
Roasted Squab and Whole Roasted Lamb
With golden and crispy skin, tender and juicy meat, and overflowing aroma.
Special Grilled Fish
Made from fresh local fish, marinated specially and then roasted, it tastes delicious.
Roasted Pumpkin
Known as the "longevity melon and fruit," it is sweet and soft after roasting.
Yogurt Rice Dumplings
Rice dumplings paired with yogurt, featuring a sweet and sour taste that is refreshing and relieves greasiness.
Freshly Squeezed Pomegranate Juice
Squeezed from fresh pomegranates, it has a rich taste and is nutrient-rich.
Tickets
Free admission.
Opening Hours
The scenic area is open 24 hours a day.
Tour Route
Visitors can first go to the visitor center in the entrance comprehensive service area to learn about the scenic area, then proceed to the wetland science experience area to visit the bird rescue center and bird-watching houses, followed by experiencing facilities such as the wetland science experience center and leisure experience center in the central leisure area. Next, they can go to the desert adventure tour area to feel the desert star campsite and sand sports area, and finally enjoy the wetland scenery and learn about wetland culture at the viewing platforms and science corridors of the ecological corridor.
Transportation
- Airplane: 35 km away from Hotan City Airport, visitors can take a taxi from the airport to the scenic area.
- Train: 31 km away from Moyu Railway Station, visitors can take a taxi to the scenic area after getting off the train.
- Self-driving: Access Moyu County via National Highway 315, then follow the navigation to the scenic area, which is 8 km away from National Highway 315.
Must-visit Attractions
- Wetland Conservation Area: As the core area of the park, it allows close observation of rich wildlife resources and experience the original wetland ecosystem.
- Education and Exhibition Area: Through various displays and experience activities, visitors can deeply understand the ecological functions, protection significance of wetlands, and local ecological culture.
- Desert Adventure Tour Area: Visitors can experience the vastness and grandeur of the desert, participate in sand sports, and feel the unique landscape where desert and wetland intersect.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to spend one day visiting to fully appreciate all attractions and landscapes of the scenic area.
- Bring a telescope for convenient observation of distant birds and other wild animals.
- Take sun protection and mosquito prevention measures, as the temperature is high and mosquitoes are numerous in summer.
- Pay attention to safety and follow the guidance of staff when participating in sand sports.
Notes
- Protect the environment, do not litter, and keep the scenic area clean.
- Abide by the scenic area regulations and do not enter closed areas without permission.
- Respect local customs and religious beliefs.
- When watching wild animals, do not make loud noises to avoid disturbing them.