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 ha
Site description
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 (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Bayanbulak and Kaidu River Valley. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 28/03/2023.
