Rally up! The 2025 Rongcheng Swan Season officially kicks off, and Siberia's "white angels" have all arrived💕

Rally up! The 2025 Rongcheng Swan Season officially kicks off, and Siberia's "white angels" have all arrived💕 The winter romance I've waited a whole year for has finally come true! On October 18th, the first batch of 19 swans arrived at Rongcheng Swan Lake as scheduled. Now, hundreds of these little spirits have gradually gathered on the lake. This 3500-kilometer wintering journey is truly about to begin✨ As a seasoned veteran who visits the swan season every year, I've compiled a detailed, 10,000-word practical guide, covering everything from birdwatching spots to accommodation and dining tips. Save this post and go! 🌟 2025 Swan Season Core Information (Must-Read!) This year's swan season is hailed as the "most spectacular in the past five years"! Thanks to Rongcheng's continuous ecological development, not only has the number of swans increased year by year, but over 200 species of water birds, including wild ducks and egrets, have also come to join the fun. The entire protected area is home to 30,000 migratory birds [__LINK_ICON]. Crucially, the habitats are no longer limited to traditional spots. You can encounter swan flocks from Rongcheng Swan Lake to Weihai Jiulong Bay, and even Wendeng Mishan Reservoir. However, the prime viewing period is still from November to March of the following year, so going now is perfect to avoid peak crowds. Quietly, a Swan Photography Festival will also be held in December. Photographers, bring your telephoto lenses and go; you'll find plenty of professional shooting spots and creative inspiration [__LINK_ICON]. Additionally, a "Swan-themed Road" has been added this year. The 5.1-kilometer stretch is filled with swan elements, and any casual shot will be a winter postcard-level masterpiece [__LINK_ICON]. 📍 In-depth Analysis of Four Major Birdwatching Spots (with Best Times) 1. Yandunjiao Village (Ultimate Intimate Interaction) As a UN-certified "Best Tourism Village," this place hides the world's only secret spot where you can get up close with wild swans [__LINK_ICON]. It's most lively at 7 AM when staff feed them. Swans will gather in flocks, and with a gentle toss of corn kernels, you can see their adorable long necks reaching for food, their wings brushing the water like scattered silver. Must-capture scene: By the seaweed house wooden boardwalk, frame the century-old stone walls, seaweed roofs, and swans together for a perfect "Spirited Away"-like shot. 4 PM to 4:30 PM before sunset is the golden hour for side-backlit photos of swan silhouettes, where even the outlines of their feathers glow with a gentle golden edge [__LINK_ICON]. Tips: The village is free to enter. It's recommended to buy corn kernels at the village store in advance. Do not feed bread, as it can harm the swans' health. 2. Sakura Lake Sports Park (Urban Swan Wonderland) Sakura Lake, known as the "Urban Swan Lake," is perfect for lazy birdwatching! It's a 10-minute drive from the high-speed rail station if you rent a car. The newly built viewing platform by the lake offers excellent views, with swan flocks swimming just a few meters from the shore, clearly visible as they preen their feathers. The sunrise in the morning is especially romantic. When the sun dyes the lake a pale pink, and swans glide through the ripples towards the halo of light, any casual shot becomes an iconic "swan and sun in the same frame" moment. Staying at the Jiulong Sheng Hotel by the lake at night is even more pleasant, with guest rooms facing the lake through floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing you to watch swans return to their nests from your bed. 3. Rongcheng Swan Lake (Premier Choice for Large-Scale Viewing) This is the core protected area for swans, where tens of thousands of swans gather to winter each year. Strolling along the wooden boardwalk by the lake, you can witness the spectacular sight of hundreds of swans flapping their wings simultaneously. Especially when it snows, the world is vast and white, and swans dancing in the snow are like a fairyland [__LINK_ICON]. Don't forget to visit the Swan Science Museum by the lake. Through 3D projections and VR cinema, you can immerse yourself in the story of swan migration, which is great for educating children. The nearby Qingboli Homestay is a hidden gem, with a seaweed house design that blends with the lake view, and you can see swan flocks swimming by right outside your door. 4. Xianghai Yulan Lake (Romantic Photo Spot) If you want to take atmospheric blockbusters, you must come here! Yulan Lake by Diamond Beach, paired with the distant Ferris wheel, creates a dreamy scene of swans swimming by, like an animated movie. The "Van Gogh Starry Sky House" cafe on the cliff is an excellent photo spot. Order a sea salt latte and lean by the floor-to-ceiling window to capture healing shots of swans and the sea in the same frame. At low tide, you can also go clamming on the rocky beach, collecting small conchs and clams. In the evening, take your harvest to the commercial street for seafood. A perfect day just like that [__LINK_ICON]. 📸 Photography Guide: Even Beginners Can Take Great Shots - Outfit Suggestions: Bright colors like red and yellow create a strong contrast with white swans, making for super photogenic shots; if you're afraid of the cold, wear a beige coat with a scarf for a gentle look. White clothes can create a sophisticated, monochromatic look with the swans [__LINK_ICON]. - Equipment Tips: On your phone, use portrait mode to automatically blur the background when focusing on swans; if you have a camera, be sure to bring a telephoto lens for super clear close-ups and flight shots of swans. Try slow-shutter panning to capture the dynamic trajectory of their wings. - Composition Ideas: Use seaweed houses and boardwalks as foregrounds, placing the swans in the center of the frame; for silhouettes, choose sunset, letting the swan's outline overlap with the evening glow; shoot from a low angle to capture the swans' reflections on the water. 🍤 Must-Try Food & Accommodation Recommendations Rongcheng on the Tip of Your Tongue - Mackerel Dumplings: Freshly caught mackerel minced for filling, bursting with juice when you bite in. The fishing village restaurants in Yandunjiao Village make the most authentic ones. - Sea Cucumber with Rice: Fresh sea cucumber paired with Wuchang rice, savory and flavorful. Restaurants in Jiulongcheng, downtown, make it very authentic. - Fisherman's Platter: Scallops, oysters, mantis shrimp for a one-stop tasting experience. The seafood stalls on Xianghai Commercial Street offer great value. - Seafood Hotpot: The Chishan Seaview Hotel in Shidao Bay is a must-visit. Enjoy hotpot while watching the sea, warming both body and soul in winter [__LINK_ICON]. Accommodation Options - Yandunjiao Seaweed House Homestays: Experience the comfort of "watching swans from your door." At night, you can also listen to the host tell legendary stories of swans recognizing their owners. Some homestays offer stargazing. - Hotels around Sakura Lake: Jiulong Sheng · Swan Hotel is very thematic, with swan elements from guest rooms to restaurants. Conveniently located for high-speed rail. - Xianghai Resort Apartments: Sea-view rooms with balconies, suitable for family travel. Walking distance to the beach and Swan Lake. 🚗 Itinerary & Pitfall Guide 3-Day, 2-Night Classic Route - Day 1: Arrive in Rongcheng → Feed swans at Yandunjiao → Stay in a seaweed house homestay → Eat mackerel dumplings → Photograph swan sunset in the evening. - Day 2: See flocks at Swan Lake → Learn at the Science Museum → Go clamming at Xianghai → Take photos at the cliff cafe → Eat seafood hotpot. - Day 3: Watch sunrise at Sakura Lake → Eat sea cucumber with rice downtown → Visit swan-themed cultural and creative stores → Return journey. Pitfall Reminders 1. The seaside is windy and cold, so be sure to bring a windproof down jacket, scarf, and gloves. Don't forget hand warmers. 2. Only feed swans corn kernels. Processed foods like bread and biscuits can damage their digestive system. 3. Do not cross warning lines when birdwatching, maintain a safe distance, and do not use flash photography to avoid disturbing the swans. 4. It's recommended to rent a new energy vehicle. Rongcheng has convenient charging stations, and all attractions are within an hour's drive from the city center. Every winter, these little spirits flying from Siberia heal the fatigue of city dwellers throughout the season. When you personally see swans gliding over the sea, with sunlight scattering on their white feathers, you will suddenly understand why Rongcheng's winter is said to be the most romantic. The 2025 Swan Season has begun. Are you ready to embark on this thousand-mile journey?