Poyang Lake & Duchang

On the northeast shore of Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake: Laoye Temple, the Duobao sand dunes and the Duchang migratory bird reserve, with lakeside routes to birdwatching at Wucheng and Stone Bell Mountain in Hukou.

Duchang County, part of Jiujiang in Jiangxi Province, sits on the northeast shore of Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake. Surrounded by water on three sides, it has the longest lakeshore of any county around the lake. Poyang Lake is a wetland of international importance, and its water level swings dramatically with the seasons: in the summer high-water season the lake is a vast expanse, while in the autumn and winter dry season the water recedes to reveal huge grasslands and sand dunes — "a sea in flood, a ribbon in drought". Every year from November to March, hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including Siberian cranes, Oriental storks and tundra swans, winter here, making it the world's most important wintering ground for the Siberian crane. Sightseeing falls into three parts: Nanshan Scenic Area in the county town for views over the lake; the Duobao Township area, with Laoye Temple, the Duobao sand dunes and the dry-season "Poyang Lake Grassland", plus birdwatching spots in the Duchang Migratory Bird Reserve; and further around the lake, the national nature reserve at Wucheng (Yongxiu) on the west shore and Stone Bell Mountain in Hukou to the north. The best seasons are November to February for birdwatching and Oct–Nov for the grasslands; summer shows off the full lake but is hot. Getting there: Jiujiang has a high-speed rail station and an airport, the Jiujiang–Jingdezhen–Quzhou Railway has Duchang Station at Cailing in the north of the county (about 30 km from the county town), and an expressway links Jiujiang and Duchang. Lakeside sights are spread out, so driving is recommended; allow 2–3 days. Bring binoculars for birdwatching, dress warmly against the cold winter winds by the lake, and follow reserve regulations.

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