Dulan Lake National Wetland Park and Birdwatching Guide in Haixi (Ulan County, Qinghai)

Dulan Lake National Wetland Park is located in Tongpu Town and Keke Town, Wulan County, Haixi Mongol and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province, approximately 8–15 kilometers from Wulan County town, on the northeastern edge of the Qaidam Basin. The area has an average elevation of about 2,973 meters. Fed by the Dulan River and Saishike River, the park is a highland wetland landscape composed of lakes, reed marshes, and saline meadows. In autumn, large areas of Suaeda grass turn bright red, creating the spectacular landscape known as the “Red Grass Beach.” The wetland provides habitat and breeding grounds for black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, goitered gazelles, and many other wild animals. It remains a relatively pristine highland wetland, with strict ecological controls and a low level of tourism development.

Best Time to Visit

Best Seasons

July–August: Reeds are lush and waterbirds are abundant. September–October is the best period, when large expanses of Suaeda grass turn bright red, creating a spectacular Red Grass Beach landscape. May–June is the period when migratory birds return and the vegetation begins to turn green. From November to April of the following year, temperatures are extremely cold and the lake landscape becomes relatively bleak, so visiting specifically during this period is not recommended.

Best Time Each Day

The wetland can be reached throughout the day. Early morning and late afternoon offer softer light, making these periods ideal for birdwatching and photographing the lake scenery, while strong winds are more common in the afternoon.

How to Get There

By car: Navigate to Dulan Lake National Wetland Park and travel north from Wulan County town. There are parking areas around the outer sections, but private vehicles are not permitted inside the core wetland area and visitors can only explore the permitted outer areas.

By public transportation: There is no direct public bus service to the wetland. Visitors need to take a taxi from Wulan County town, while self-driving or hiring a private car is generally the preferred option.

Inside the park: The outer educational area and simple walking trails can be explored on foot. Entry into the core wetland conservation and management area is strictly prohibited.

🌿 Core Attractions

Red Grass Beach

Red Grass Beach (Suaeda saline meadow) is one of the park's most distinctive landscapes. In autumn, vast areas of bright-red salt-tolerant vegetation spread along the lakeshore, creating a striking composition of lake water, red grass, and distant mountains. It is also one of the most popular photography locations in the area.

Lake and Reed Wetlands

Extensive reed beds and shallow-water areas form important habitats for migratory birds. Visitors carrying a telephoto lens may be able to photograph bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks, and other waterbirds while maintaining an appropriate distance.

Wetland Education and Interpretation Center

The Wetland Education and Interpretation Center displays wetland plant and animal specimens together with illustrated information, providing visitors with an introduction to the ecology and biodiversity of the Qaidam Basin wetlands.

Outer Lakeside Viewing Areas

From the outer viewing areas, visitors can look across the combined landscape of lake, Gobi, and wetland terrain. With some luck, travelers may also encounter wildlife such as goitered gazelles in the surrounding area.

Recommended visiting time is approximately 1–1.5 hours, and the park is often visited as a convenient self-driving stop when traveling around Chaka.

Accommodation and Food

Accommodation: Visitors generally return to Wulan County town for accommodation, as there are no accommodation facilities inside the wetland park.

Food: Local specialties include kangguo lamb and mianpian noodles. There are no shops around the park, so bring sufficient drinking water and dry food.

Travel Tips and Precautions

1. Free admission: There is no entrance ticket. The core wetland area is strictly protected, and driving over meadows or entering the mudflats without permission is prohibited; visitors may be stopped by site protection staff.

2. Altitude and weather: At approximately 2,973 meters above sea level, visitors should be aware of possible mild altitude discomfort. Winds around the lake can be strong, temperature differences between day and night are significant, and strong sunlight requires adequate sun protection. Bring a warm, thick outer layer.

3. Responsible birdwatching: Keep a safe distance from birds and do not chase or feed them. Do not trample the vegetation of Red Grass Beach, and stay on the designated outer trails.

4. Mobile signal: Mobile phone reception can be weak in some areas, so download offline maps before setting out.

5. Protect the wetland: Take all rubbish with you, practice Leave No Trace travel, and help protect the fragile highland wetland ecosystem.