Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area is located in Kenli District, Dongying City, Shandong Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, situated at the mouth of the Yellow River and also the core area of the Yellow River Delta. It is prominently characterized by its unique wetland ecosystem, spectacular wonder of the Yellow River flowing into the sea, and rich biodiversity, and can be called one of the most complete, vast, and youngest wetland ecosystems in China. The total area of the scenic area is 1,530 square kilometers, with a wetland area of 1,200 square kilometers, covering various landscape resources such as river-sea intersection, wetland ecology, and oil industry sites. Facilities such as a wetland museum, bird-watching huts, and observation towers are equipped in the area. Among them, the Yellow River Estuary Wetland Museum has a construction area of about 8,000 square meters and is an important window for displaying the wetland ecosystem and Yellow River culture.
Historical Culture
The history of the Yellow River Estuary area is closely linked to the changes of the Yellow River. As the "Mother River" of the Chinese nation, the estuary of the Yellow River has changed its course many times in history. The current Yellow River Delta was gradually formed after the Yellow River breached and changed its course at Tongwaxiang in 1855. It has a history of only about 160 years and is the youngest land in China.
This newly-formed land contains rich Yellow River culture. The folk customs of the Yellow River Estuary integrate Qilu culture and wetland characteristics. Intangible cultural heritages such as fishermen's chants and salt workers' living customs show the unique lifestyle formed by the local people in their coexistence with the Yellow River and the sea. In addition, this place was an important revolutionary base during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Liberation War, leaving many footprints of revolutionary martyrs' struggles. The red culture and the Yellow River culture blend with each other, forming the unique historical and cultural heritage of the Yellow River Estuary.
Main Attractions
River-Sea Intersection Scenic Area
The River-Sea Intersection Scenic Area is the core attraction of the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area and a rare natural wonder in the world. The Yellow River, carrying a large amount of sediment, flows into the sea and meets the blue seawater, forming a clear yellow-blue boundary line, presenting an extremely spectacular scene. Tourists can take a cruise to watch it. The cruise route is about 10 kilometers long, and the sailing time is about 1.5 hours. Under different seasons and tidal conditions, the yellow-blue intersection landscape will show different forms.
Wetland Ecological Zone
The Wetland Ecological Zone is an important part of the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area, covering an area of 1,200 square kilometers, and is a habitat for many birds and wetland organisms. There are various wetland types such as reed marshes, shoals, and swamps here, attracting a large number of migratory birds to inhabit and breed every year. It is an important bird migration channel and wintering ground along the eastern coast of China. Bird-watching huts and bird-watching boardwalks are set up in the area. The bird-watching huts are about 500 meters away from the main bird habitats. Tourists can watch rare birds such as red-crowned cranes, oriental storks, and whooper swans here. The best time for bird-watching is from October to March of the following year.
Yellow River Estuary Wetland Museum
The Yellow River Estuary Wetland Museum has a construction area of about 8,000 square meters and is a comprehensive museum integrating wetland ecological display, popular science education, and cultural communication. Through various forms such as multimedia, specimens, and models, the museum displays in detail the formation process of the Yellow River Estuary wetland, the structure of the ecosystem, biodiversity, and the development course of Yellow River culture. The museum also has an interactive experience area where tourists can feel the changes in the natural environment of the Yellow River Estuary through simulation equipment, enhancing their awareness of wetland protection.
Ten-Thousand-Mu Sunflower Garden
The Ten-Thousand-Mu Sunflower Garden is located around the Wetland Ecological Zone, covering an area of about 10,000 mu. It is one of the distinctive landscapes in the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area. Every July to August, ten thousand mu of sunflowers bloom in full bloom, forming a golden sea of flowers. It sets off against the surrounding wetland landscapes, presenting a breathtakingly beautiful scene. There are sightseeing trails in the garden, which are about 5 kilometers long. Tourists can stroll along them, admire the sea of sunflowers and enjoy the idyllic scenery.
Bird Museum
The Bird Museum has a construction area of about 4,000 square meters and is one of the larger bird-themed museums in China. The museum collects a large number of bird specimens, including rare birds such as red-crowned cranes and oriental storks. Through specimen displays and ecological simulations, it introduces knowledge about bird classification, habits, and migration. The museum also has a bird observation live broadcast room, where tourists can observe the activities of birds in the wetland in real-time, making it an ideal place for bird lovers and popular science education.
Food
Yellow River Estuary Hairy Crabs
Yellow River Estuary Hairy Crabs are a characteristic aquatic product of the Yellow River Estuary. Growing at the confluence of freshwater and seawater at the Yellow River estuary, they have tender meat, full cream, and rich nutrition. The breeding history of Yellow River Estuary Hairy Crabs is long, with a breeding area of more than 100,000 mu. Every September-October is the fishing peak season, and the crabs are the fattest at this time. The local cooking method is mostly steaming to maintain their original flavor, and they are one of the must-try foods for tourists.
Lijin Fried Buns
Lijin Fried Buns are a traditional famous food in Lijin County, Dongying City, and are also very popular in the surrounding areas of the Yellow River Estuary. They are made of flour, pork, leeks, etc., through fermentation, wrapping, and frying processes. The bottom of the fried buns is golden and crispy, the top is soft and delicious, and the filling is fresh and juicy. They are a favorite breakfast and snack of the local people. This food can be tasted in restaurants and snack bars around the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area.
Yellow River Knife Fish
Yellow River Knife Fish is a rare fish in the Yellow River Estuary, named for its slender body like a knife. It grows in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and near the estuary, with tender meat, delicious taste, and rich in protein and various vitamins. The fishing period of Yellow River Knife Fish is short, and every spring is the best fishing season. The local cooking methods include steaming and pan-frying, and it is a rare delicacy.
Guangrao Braised Donkey Meat
Guangrao Braised Donkey Meat is a traditional characteristic food in Guangrao County, Dongying City, and is also very popular in the surrounding areas of the Yellow River Estuary. It is made of high-quality donkey meat as raw material, with a variety of spices and seasonings, through multiple processes such as braising and soaking. The braised donkey meat is ruddy in color, tender in meat, mellow in taste, and rich in nutrition. It is one of the local famous foods and a good gift for tourists to present to relatives and friends.
Tickets
The ticket is 85 yuan per person (including sightseeing bus).
You can search for the official public account "黄河口生态旅游区" on WeChat to get the latest news or buy tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours are 8:30-17:30 every day (April 1 - November 30); from December 1 to March 31 of the next year, the opening hours are 9:00-17:00. The scenic area will stop admitting visitors 1 hour before closing. Tourists need to arrange their visiting time reasonably. Affected by natural factors such as weather and tides, the opening hours of some attractions (such as the River-Sea Intersection Scenic Area) may be adjusted. It is recommended that tourists consult the scenic area in advance.
Tour Route
Tourists can enter from the main gate of the scenic area, first visit the Yellow River Estuary Wetland Museum to learn about the ecological environment and historical culture of the Yellow River Estuary, then take a sightseeing bus to the Wetland Ecological Zone, watch birds in the bird-watching huts, walk on the boardwalks in the reed marshes, and feel the wetland scenery. Then go to the Ten-Thousand-Mu Sunflower Garden (open seasonally) to enjoy the sea of flowers. Then take a cruise to the River-Sea Intersection Scenic Area to watch the wonder of yellow-blue intersection. After returning, you can visit the Bird Museum to learn more about birds. This route is about 20 kilometers long, and the visiting time is about 6-7 hours, which can fully experience the characteristics of the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Starting from downtown Dongying, drive along Donglu Expressway and Rongwu Expressway to Kenli Exit, then drive north along Provincial Highway 315 for about 40 kilometers to reach the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area. The whole journey is about 60 kilometers, and the driving time is about 1 hour.
- Bus: Take the special bus to the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area at Dongying City Bus Station. There are 3 departures every day, at 8:00, 10:00, and 13:00 respectively. The driving time is about 1.5 hours, and the fare is about 20 yuan per person.
- Tourist special line: Some travel agencies in downtown Dongying have opened tourist special lines to the Yellow River Estuary Ecological Tourism Area, including tickets and transportation fees. Tourists can sign up at the travel agencies. For specific schedules and prices, please consult the local travel agencies.
Must-Visit Attractions
- River-Sea Intersection Scenic Area: You can watch the yellow-blue boundary formed by the confluence of the Yellow River and the sea. The route is about 10 kilometers long, and it is a rare natural wonder in the world.
- Wetland Ecological Zone: With an area of 1,200 square kilometers, it has bird-watching huts and bird-watching boardwalks, where you can watch a variety of rare birds. It is an excellent place for wetland ecological sightseeing.
- Yellow River Estuary Wetland Museum: With a construction area of 8,000 square meters, it displays wetland ecology and Yellow River culture in various forms, with both popular science and ornamental value.
- Ten-Thousand-Mu Sunflower Garden: Covering an area of 10,000 mu, sunflowers bloom in July-August, forming a golden sea of flowers, which is a good place for taking photos.
Travel Suggestions
- The scenic area is large, and the distance between attractions is long. It is recommended to take the scenic sightseeing bus, which is included in the ticket and can be taken unlimited times to save energy.
- The river-sea intersection landscape is greatly affected by weather and tides. It is recommended to check the weather forecast and tide time in advance and choose the appropriate time to visit.
- The best time for bird-watching is from October to March of the next year, when there are more birds. It is recommended to bring binoculars to better observe the birds.
- When visiting in summer, there are many mosquitoes in the wetland area. It is necessary to take anti-mosquito measures, such as applying floral water and wearing long-sleeved clothes; in winter, the weather is cold, so keep warm.
- There are relatively few catering options in the scenic area. It is recommended to bring an appropriate amount of food and water, or taste local characteristic foods in restaurants around the scenic area.
Notes
- The wetland terrain in the scenic area is complex, and some areas are muddy and slippery. Be careful when walking and do not leave the designated route without permission.
- Take good care of the wetland ecological environment. Do not pick plants, disturb birds and other wild animals at will, and abide by the scenic area's ecological protection regulations.
- When taking a cruise to watch the river-sea intersection, abide by the safety regulations of the cruise, wear life jackets, and do not chase or fight on the cruise deck.
- Take good care of personal belongings and be vigilant in crowded places to prevent loss of property.
- Smoking and using open flames are prohibited in the scenic area to prevent fires and protect the wetland ecological safety.