Birds' Paradise in Xinhui of South China's Guangdong Province is a place where hundreds of thousands of birds flock throughout the year.

The tropical natural scenery at Xinhui Bird's Paradise offers urban dwellers peace of mind. [China Daily]

The year-long warm climate offers an ideal refuge for birds from north China and the nearby South China Sea.

The area has in recent years become a well-known ecological travel spot thanks to the flourishing birds' habitat and lakeside landscape.

The 10,000-square-metre island is covered by 400-year-old banyan trees.

Ba Jin, one of the most celebrated Chinese writers, wrote the lyrical The Birds' Paradise after he took in the marvellous scenery of the tree-covered island. That was later selected as a text book for primary students.

Since then, Birds' Island has gone from strength to strength in the popular imagination.

Visitors are not allowed to set foot on the island.

Most of the birds in the island are wild egrets and pond heron. In the morning the white egrets fly away and the grey egrets return, while in the evening, the grey egrets go out and the white egrets return. They go about their business punctually, hovering in the sky, creating a beautiful birdscape.

A nearby forest-covered area is also worth a visit. In 2002 the local government rebuilt and renovated the scenic spot around the island. The surrounding 400,000-square-metre area was enclosed as a scenic spot boasting horticulture, sculpture and natural scenery.

For those who have lived long in the northern temperate zone, the tropical natural scenery here offers a totally fresh impression.

The best time to enjoy flying birds here is from 7:00pm to 7:45pm when many leave the island for food. You can see thousands of them rallying together, preparing for the search. When they are ready, they fly toward the south ocean area for food.

Early risers are rewarded by a similarly spectacular sight from 5am to 6am.

As well as boating around the island, visitors can also go along a wooden corridor built for birdwatching.

Entrance fee: 30 yuan (US$4).

How to get there: Take a bus from Guangzhou to Jiangmen (10 yuan). It take two hours. Many buses run between Jiangmen and the Birds' Paradise.

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