Hongze Lake Wetland Scenic Area is located in Sihong County, Suqian City, Jiangsu Province. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, one of China's top ten ecological leisure bases, and the largest inland freshwater wetland scenic area in East China with the most complete ecosystem. The scenic area covers a total area of 75.03 square kilometers, of which wetlands account for more than 70%, covering various wetland types such as marshes, lakes, rivers, and mudflats. It is an important ecological barrier and migratory bird habitat in the Hongze Lake area. With "wetland ecology, bird watching, and science education" as its core features, the scenic area has characteristic attractions such as the Wetland Museum, Bird Watching Park, and Reed Maze. It is equipped with more than 50 kilometers of ecological trails, more than 20 viewing platforms, and various science education facilities, attracting a large number of tourists each year to experience the beauty of wetland ecology.
Historical Culture
The formation of Hongze Lake Wetland is closely related to the evolution of Hongze Lake. As China's fourth-largest freshwater lake, Hongze Lake's history can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. After thousands of years of siltation and management, today's lake wetland ecosystem gradually took shape. Sihong County around the wetland is one of the important birthplaces of ancient Huai River culture. Human activity dates back to the Neolithic Age. The Shunshanji Site discovered within its territory dates back about 8,000 years and is the earliest known Neolithic cultural site in the lower reaches of the Huai River, providing important evidence for studying the interaction between early humans and the natural environment around the wetland.
Historically, Hongze Lake Wetland was an important water transport hub and fishery production area. Fishermen's culture was passed down from generation to generation here, forming unique folk cultures such as "fishing songs, fishing drums, and fishing proverbs." The "Fisherman's Lifestyle Garden" in the scenic area restores the traditional life scenes of fishermen and displays traditional skills such as fishing gear making and fish processing. In 2006, Hongze Lake Wetland was listed as a national-level nature reserve; in 2015, it was approved as a national AAAAA-level tourist attraction, becoming a comprehensive wetland scenic area integrating ecological protection, cultural inheritance, and tourism and leisure.
Main Attractions
Wetland Museum
The Wetland Museum is the core of science education in the scenic area, with a building area of about 8,000 square meters. It is divided into six exhibition halls, including wetland ecology, biodiversity, and human history. Through multimedia interaction, specimen displays, and scene restoration, the museum systematically introduces the formation, evolution, and ecological value of Hongze Lake Wetland. It displays more than 1,000 animal and plant specimens, including specimens of national first-class protected animals such as red-crowned cranes and Oriental storks. The 4D cinema in the museum can accommodate 200 people and uses immersive films to reproduce the changes of the wetland through the four seasons, making it an important place for science education.
Reed Maze
The Reed Maze is located in the core wetland area of the scenic area, with a total area of about 1.5 square kilometers. It is composed of natural reed marshes and artificial waterways. The total length of the waterways is about 6 kilometers, forming an intricate "maze" route. Tourists can take wooden boats through it and enjoy the natural scenery of swaying reeds and playing waterbirds along the way. There is a viewing platform deep in the maze, from which visitors can overlook the spectacular scene of the entire reed marsh. In autumn each year, the reeds turn golden, making the scenery especially charming. It is one of the iconic attractions of the scenic area.
Bird Watching Park
The Bird Watching Park covers about 500 mu and is an area specially created for bird protection and viewing. It is divided into a core protection area, a semi-open area, and a viewing area. More than 100 species of birds inhabit the park, including egrets, gray cranes, and wild ducks, among which there are also rare species such as red-crowned cranes and great bustards. The park has 12 hidden bird-watching houses and a 3-kilometer-long bird-watching boardwalk, equipped with high-powered telescopes and other equipment, making it convenient for tourists to observe bird activities up close without disturbing their habitat. It is a must-visit place for bird lovers.
Lotus Grand View Garden
The Lotus Grand View Garden covers about 1,000 mu and cultivates more than 30 kinds of lotus and aquatic plants, including red lotus, white lotus, and water lilies. It is a relatively large-scale lotus viewing base in East China. A 3-kilometer-long waterside boardwalk and 8 lotus-viewing pavilions have been built in the garden. When the lotus flowers bloom in summer, they form a scene of "endless green lotus leaves stretching to the horizon." The garden also has a lotus science education area, which introduces the growth habits of lotus and its role in the wetland ecosystem, combining ornamental value with science education.
Food
Hongze Lake Hairy Crab
Hongze Lake hairy crab is a characteristic aquatic product around the scenic area. Because it grows in the high-quality water of Hongze Lake Wetland, its meat is delicious. It is especially characterized by "green back, white belly, golden claws, and yellow hair." At the "Wetland Fisherman's Restaurant" in the scenic area, visitors can taste dishes such as steamed hairy crab and crab roe tofu. Autumn (September-November) is the best period to eat them. A hairy crab weighing about 200-300 grams is priced at 80-120 yuan each, making it a seasonal delicacy tourists must try.
Silver Fish Scrambled Eggs
Silver fish is a specialty fish of Hongze Lake Wetland. It is slender and transparent and rich in protein. The silver fish scrambled eggs at restaurants in the scenic area uses fresh silver fish stir-fried with local eggs. It tastes tender and light. Each serving is about 250 grams and priced at 38 yuan. It is a classic local home-style dish, suitable for the elderly and children.
Gorgon Nut Soup
Gorgon nut (commonly known as "chicken-head rice") is the fruit of an aquatic plant in the wetland. It is rich in starch and various vitamins and is a traditional ingredient in the Hongze Lake area. Gorgon nut soup is made by simmering fresh gorgon nuts with lotus seeds, lilies, and other ingredients. It has a soft and glutinous texture and helps strengthen the spleen and stomach. It is sold at dessert shops in the scenic area at 15 yuan per serving and is especially refreshing in summer.
Surrounding Food
Sihong County, 10 kilometers away from the scenic area, has more specialty foods, such as "Sihong pig head meat," which uses locally free-range pork and is braised through multiple processes. The meat is tender and fragrant, priced at 45 yuan per jin; "wheel cake" is a local traditional pastry made of thin dough wrappers filled with red bean paste or meat filling and deep-fried. It costs 3 yuan each and can be bought at the "time-honored pastry shop" in the county.
Tickets：
Ticket 65 yuan/person.
You can search for the official public account "Sihong Hongze Lake Wetland Scenic Area" on WeChat to get the latest updates or buy tickets online. As of July 12, 2025, the online ticket purchasing function of the official WeChat public account cannot be used normally.
Opening Hours：
The scenic area is open all year round from 8:00 to 17:30 (last entry at 17:00). In summer (June-August), opening hours are extended to 18:00 (last entry at 17:30); in winter (December-February), some water projects (such as the Reed Maze boat tour) may be suspended due to weather conditions, subject to the scenic area's announcements.
Tour Route：
Recommended one-day ecological science tour route: Arrive at the scenic area at 8:30 a.m., first visit the Wetland Museum, watch a 4D film to learn about the wetland overview, then go to the Bird Watching Park at about 10:00, observe birds along the boardwalk, and use telescopes to observe migratory bird activities; at 11:30, dine at the "Wetland Fisherman's Restaurant" in the scenic area and taste specialty dishes such as silver fish scrambled eggs. In the afternoon at 13:00, take a boat tour through the Reed Maze and experience the fun of weaving through the wetland. At about 14:30, go to the Lotus Grand View Garden and stroll along the waterside boardwalk to enjoy the lotus flowers; at 16:00, visit the Fisherman's Lifestyle Garden to learn about fishermen's culture; at 17:00, end the trip. This route combines walking and boating, with a total distance of about 8 kilometers, suitable for families with children and ecology enthusiasts.
Transportation：
Bus: Take tourist line 1 from Sihong County to the "Hongze Lake Wetland Scenic Area" stop. The journey takes about 30 minutes, the fare is 5 yuan/person, and there is one bus per hour from 8:00 to 16:00.
Self-driving: From Sihong County, drive southeast along Wetland Avenue for about 25 kilometers to reach the scenic area parking lot. The journey takes about 40 minutes; from Suqian city area, take Xinyang Expressway and then Sihong Avenue, about 90 kilometers in total, about 1.5 hours by car; the scenic area parking lot charges 5 yuan/day.
Tourist charter: Tourist charters to the scenic area can be booked at Sihong County Bus Station. A 7-seat vehicle costs about 150 yuan one way and can hold 6 people. It needs to be reserved one day in advance.
Must-Visit Attractions：
Wetland Museum: An 8,000-square-meter exhibition hall, more than 1,000 animal and plant specimens, and an immersive 4D cinema experience. It is the core attraction for understanding wetland ecology and is included in the ticket.
Reed Maze: A 1.5-square-kilometer natural reed marsh and a 6-kilometer waterway maze. Boat tours allow close contact with wetland ecology. The boat tour is 40 yuan/person, and the scenery is best in autumn.
Bird Watching Park: A 500-mu bird habitat with 12 bird-watching houses, where more than 100 species of birds can be observed. It is suitable for photography enthusiasts and is free (telescope rental 5 yuan/hour).
Lotus Grand View Garden: A 1,000-mu lotus viewing area with more than 30 kinds of lotus. It blooms in summer. The waterside boardwalk design is unique and it is open for free.
Travel Suggestions：
Suggested visiting time is 1 day. The best tourist seasons are spring (April-May, migratory bird migration period) and summer (June-August, lotus blooming period).
The scenic area is large. It is recommended to wear comfortable sports shoes and bring sun protection products and mosquito repellent (summer). Some areas in the scenic area have few shade facilities.
The Reed Maze boat tour requires queuing in advance. In peak seasons (holidays), it is recommended to ride before 10:00 a.m. or after 14:00 p.m. to avoid the peak.
Tourists bringing children can participate in the scenic area's "Little Wetland Researcher" science activity (requires advance reservation on the official website), with free experiences such as specimen making.
There are few dining options in the scenic area. You can bring dry food to eat in designated rest areas, or go to Sihong County 10 kilometers away to taste more food.
Precautions：
Picking plants, disturbing birds, and other wild animals are prohibited in the scenic area. Violators will face fines.
The Reed Maze boat tour must comply with safety regulations. Wear life jackets properly and do not stand or shake on the boat.
Keep quiet when bird watching, turn off flash photography, and avoid disturbing bird habitats.
Some areas of the wetland are primitive ecological environments. Trails are slippery on rainy days. It is recommended to walk carefully or choose sunny days for visiting.
Signal coverage in the scenic area is limited. It is recommended to download offline maps in advance, keep in contact with companions, and avoid going alone into undeveloped areas.