RONGCHENG, Shandong Province, is located at the easternmost tip of the Shandong Peninsula, and is home to the winter habitat of the Great Swan. Rongcheng Swan Lake is known as the “Hometown of the Great Swan” and is an important relay station for the southward migration of the birds. From November to April each year, the swans fly from Siberia and other regions, and they stay there in winter. Statistics show that the number of swans harboring there surpasses 10,000. Every winter, more than 100,000 tourists also visit the lake. With activities like watching the swans, writing about them, painting them, as well as swan photography, Rongcheng now annually enjoys a winter “swan tour” boom. Now, in addition to the swans in Yandunjiao, Swan Lake, Sakura Lake, Sanggou Bay Urban Wetland Park and Shidao Bay, you can also see black-tailed gulls and other birds. The swans are a part of everyday life in the city, and their images are everywhere — from small souvenirs, paper-cutouts and on stones, there are many homestays that are themed around swans. The presence of the swans is mainly due to the improved natural surroundings. To keep things pristine, every year the conservation department of Swan Lake disinfects the areas surrounding Swan Lake. And the staff also regularly collects swan feces to check on the health of the birds. When the lake is frozen, the staff puts food on the surface of the lake. Rongcheng and the Ocean University of China jointly completed the restoration of eelgrass in the area, and have launched a number of other projects such as the restoration of Lanhe Wetland and the restoration of the north coast of Rongcheng Bay. (China Daily) | 