Birding in Taiyuan City
With a history of more than 2,500 years, Taiyuan, the capital and largest city of Shanxi Province in North China, is situated in the northern part of the fertile Jinzhong Basin with Taihang Mountain in the east and Lvliang Mountain in the west. In 2010, it had a total population of 4.3 million. The major industries for Taiyuan are coal, chemistry, and machinery.
The deposit of coal in Taiyuan is very big. The mining and processing of coal have resulted serious pollution in the city. Feng River, which is the tributary of Yellow River, runs through the city. With an average elevation of 800 meters, Taiyuan experiences a semi-arid climate and enjoys certain degree of biodiversity. The most prominent bird in this area is the Brown Eared Pheasant.
Some Important Birding Sites in Taiyuan
Xuanzhong Temple
Xuanzhong Temple is situated on Shibi Mountain in the northwest of Jiaocheng County. It is one of birthplaces of Jingtu (Pure Land) Sect, one of important sects of Chinese Buddhism, and is also deemed the birthplace by Pure Land Sect and True Pure Land Sect in Japan. In 1983, it was designated as one of national key temples in the areas of the Han nationality. Xuanzhong Temple was built in the second year (472) of the Yanxing reign of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). It was destroyed by fire, and rebuilt several times during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Because it is the most important place to see the endemic Brown Eared-Pheasant, the Xuanzhong Temple has become one of Shanxi's most famous birding hotspots. Other birds like Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie, Spotted Nutcracker, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Silver-throated Tit, Beijing Babbler, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Pere David's Laughingthrush, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Godlewski's Bunting, etc.
Jin Shrine
Situated about 25km from downtown Taiyuan, Jin Shrine is mostly famous for its architecture, sculpture and fresco. For birders, this is also an important place. The gardens inside the shrine are habitats for many birds. Here you have chance to see Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Eurasian Collared Dove, Yellow-bellied Tit, Marsh Tit, Silver-throated Bushtit, Light-vented Bulbul, Red-throated Thrush, Naumann's Thrush, Brambling, etc.
Fenghe River Wetland Park
Built by imitating natural wetlands, Fenghe River Wetland Park can bring you different birding experience. The various aquatic plants inside the park attract many birds here such as Eurasian Wigeon, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, Red-crested Pochard, Tufted Duck, Smew, Black Stork, Great Bittern, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Azure-winged Magpie, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Silver-throated Bushtit, Oriental Reed Warbler, Black-throated Thrush, Red-throated Thrush, Dusky Thrush, Taiga Flycatcher, etc.
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