Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 136,894 hectares (1,368.94 km2)
Site description (2009 baseline)
Located in the Urdus Basin, in the central Tian Shan, 200 km north-west of Korla and 290 km south-west of Urumqi. This IBA lies within the second largest grassland region in China, with a total area of 23,835 km2. The Kaidu River flows through the IBA and has formed a large area of high-altitude marshland (at 2,300-2,500 m). The IBA is a breeding and staging area for birds.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: Nationally protected animals include Felis manul, Vulpes vulpes, Panthra uncia, Cervus elaphus, Capra ibex, Ovis ammon and Ursus arctos.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Bayanbulak and Kaidu River Valley (China (mainland)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/bayanbulak-and-kaidu-river-valley-iba-china-(mainland) on 22/12/2024.