[Photo by Zhang Tong from Yunnan Daily Newspaper]

With the reflection of the blue sky on a rippling lake in the early morning, weeping willow branches were floating with the murmuring breeze and several birds were fluttering in picturesque Baofeng Wetland, north of Dianchi Lake. 

Wetlands, known as the "Kidney of the Earth," are biodiversity-rich ecosystems and one of the crucial living environments for human beings, functioning as reservoirs, water-treatment facilities, and a cradle of biodiversity. As one of two COP15 outdoor exhibition projects, Baofeng Wetland covers an area of 1633.8 mu(Chinese hectare), among which the core display area of biodiversity is 286 mu.

There are 700 mu lakeside forest belts and wetland areas in Baofeng Wetland. Wetland areas are made of waterfronts, wave viewing halls, and waterscape platforms. The eastern bank of wetlands is mainly forest belts, while 300 mu of the west bank has been restored to the lakeside ecological wetland.

There are 12 plant communities with central Yunnan characteristics in the wetland, with a total of 101 species of plants, including Sinocyclocheilus grahami, a national second-class protected animal, and other 100 rare species of birds.

Zizyphus Mairai Dode, wild persimmon, and other local fruit tree varieties have been planted in Baofeng Wetland to attract all sorts of birds. You can hear children’s laughter echo through the trees and see the silhouettes of visitors reflected on the lake. All of these represent a scenery of harmony between human beings and nature.

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(Editors: Ines, Rachel)