Birdwatching boom fuels eco-tourism growth

The growing popularity of birdwatching is driving the expansion of eco-tourism in China, as nature enthusiasts flock to scenic spots across the country to observe rare and migratory bird species.

In Yugan County, Shangrao City, east China’s Jiangxi Province, 230 species of rare birds, including white cranes, swans, and oriental storks, draw tens of thousands of tourists for birdwatching each day.

“It’s my first time seeing so many migratory birds, it’s truly spectacular and beautiful,” said a boy.

Meanwhile, in Yandunjiao Village, Rongcheng City, in east China’s Shandong Province, white swans dancing gracefully in the snow captivated numerous tourists.

“Seeing so many swans for the first time, I feel that the snowy landscape perfectly complements them, it’s truly spectacular,” said Jiang Nan, a tourist from Zhejiang Province.

To protect these rare birds, the village has established a swan protection station, formed a management team, and conducts fixed-point patrols daily. Many villagers have also voluntarily joined the protection efforts.

At Zhanqiao Pier on the southern shore of Shandong’s coastal city Qingdao, flocks of seagulls have drawn numerous tourists eager to capture the moment in photos.

“A large number of seagulls have gathered around our scenic spot, and it is estimated that there are more than 100,000 here,” said Xie Yong, deputy director of the Zhanqiao Pier Scenic Spot Management Center.

Birdwatching boom fuels eco-tourism growth

China’s consumer price index (CPI), a main gauge of inflation, was up 0.5 percent year on year in January, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Sunday.

In urban areas, the CPI rose by 0.6 percent, while in rural regions, it increased by 0.3 percent. Food prices saw a rise of 0.4 percent, and non-food prices went up by 0.5 percent.

In the month, consumer goods prices edged up by 0.1 percent while service prices increased by 1.1 percent year on year, according to the NBS.

On a month-on-month basis, the CPI increased by 0.7 percent in January, with urban and rural areas experiencing growths of 0.8 and 0.5 percent respectively over the previous month.

Food prices rose by 1.3 percent, while non-food prices went up for 0.6 percent over December 2024. In the month, consumer goods prices increased by 0.6 percent while service prices went up by 0.9 percent over December 2024, according to the NBS.

China’s CPI up 0.5 percent in January