Located in the southeast of Qiqihar, Heilongjiang Province, Zhalong Nature Reserve is a state-level nature reserve dedicated mainly to rare water bird species like the crane as well as wetland ecosystem. It was included in the List of Wetlands of International Importance in 1992. The total area of the reserve is 2,100 sq. kilometers.

Zhalong has long been called “the home of the crane”. There are 15 crane species in the world, eight of them are in China and there are six species in Zhalong area alone: red-crowned cranes, white-crowned cranes, hooded cranes, demoislle cranes, white cranes and common cranes. There are only some 1,000 rare cranes worldwide, over 700 of which are in Zhalong. Every spring and summer, red-crowned cranes lay and hatch their eggs in Zhalong, living a family life. It is also the best time of the year to watch these birds. Tourists often come here to have their photos taken with domesticated red-crowned cranes, creating a joyful picture depicting the harmony between man and nature. 

Zhalong is also a wetland nature reserve, composed of a large area of permanent freshwater marshes formed by the overflowing of the water from the Wuyu'er River. The area is made up of lots of small shallow lakes and vast marshy grasslands. The reserve is characterized by abundant species and primitive landscapes. In addition to over 150 bird species, there are 46 fish species, 277 insect species and 21 beast species. The place is regarded as a “natural paradise” for birds and waterfowls.