Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA criteria met: A1, A3, A4i, A4iii (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 80,000 hectares (800.00 km2)
Site description (2009 baseline)
Urumqi is the capital city of Xinjiang, and is located on the northern slope of the Tian Shan Mountains, at the foot of Bogda Mountain on the southern edge of the Junggar Basin. The habitats in the IBA include flood plains, marshes, rivers and lakes, which are important staging sites for migratory birds. There are six wetlands of about 40,000 ha scattered between Chaiwobao and Dabancheng in Urumqi, and from Qinggeda Hu to Dongdao Haizi in Wujiaqu City; when more information is available it might be possible to separate these areas into two IBAs.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: Nationally protected animals include Gazella subgutturosa. The northern part of the area is within the historical ranges of Camelus ferus, Equus hemionus, Gazella subgutturosa and Saiga tatarica.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Desert and wetland from Northern Urumqi to Dabancheng (China (mainland)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/desert-and-wetland-from-northern-urumqi-to-dabancheng-iba-china-(mainland) on 23/12/2024.