The Yellow Sea coastal wetlands of Yancheng were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019, the first such designation for intertidal mudflats in China and the first phase of a broader nomination recognising the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway staging area. The wetlands function as a critical refuelling stop for millions of migratory shorebirds making the journey between Arctic breeding grounds and Australian or Southeast Asian wintering areas.
The Yancheng National Rare Birds Nature Reserve, about 40 kilometres east of the city, is the primary access point. Guided eco-tours take small groups by vehicle and on foot into the reserve, and the seasonal concentrations of birds are genuinely extraordinary: spoonbills, oriental storks, black-faced spoonbills, and dozens of shorebird species join the cranes during migration peaks in April–May and September–October. The mudflats reward patience — the birds move constantly and the best viewing requires early starts. Book tours through the reserve office in advance during peak season.