The Upper Yellow River Water Conservation Area and the Chinese Water Tower: The Muanzetang Wetland

The Muanzetang scenic area is a national 4A tourist attraction, located in the northeastern part of Aba County, 32 kilometers from the county town, with an average altitude of about 3400 meters. The vast Muanzetang wetland grassland, where rivers crisscross, lakes are scattered like stars, eagles spread their wings, cattle and sheep gather in herds, and the songs of the herdsmen soar. There are known to be 117 species of vertebrates from 19 orders and 39 families, and rare birds and animals such as the black-necked crane and golden eagle can be seen everywhere. The rich and complete plateau wetland ecosystem is an excellent natural pasture of the northwestern Sichuan grassland and an important area of biodiversity in China. The Muanzetang Wetland Nature Reserve has vast grasslands, and in spring, the area is covered with green grass and a beautiful carpet of flowers, making it an excellent pasture on the northwestern Sichuan plateau and a water conservation area for the source of the Yellow River system. Together with the Ruoergai and Hongyuan national wetland reserves, it forms a contiguous area with a complete ecosystem and abundant animal and plant resources. The Muanzetang Wetland Nature Reserve has an open terrain with gentle slopes, rivers crisscrossing, lakes scattered like a chessboard, shimmering lake surfaces, lush water plants on nearby hills and grasslands, dotted cattle and sheep, herding songs in the air, wild eagles flying, and tent camps linked together, presenting a moving picture of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. It is an ideal place for grassland wetland scientific expeditions, bird watching, sketching, photography, summer camping, and other activities. Muanzetang is the source of the ethnic culture of the upper reaches of the Yellow River and a convergence of the Anduo culture of Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai, with passionate nomadic cultures such as horse racing and singing competitions, and a splendid display of intangible cultural heritage such as Tibetan chess and Shuoga storytelling. Muanzetang is also an important source of red culture, leaving behind the legendary footprints of the Red Army's three crossings of the grasslands. Green ecology, distinctive folk customs, and red culture together form the colorful picture of Muanzetang, making it one of the eight heritage belts of the Yellow River National Cultural Park. Encounter Muanzetang, heal the June days, and look forward to reading the painting scroll of Western Sichuan with you. Tip: When entering the wetland for recreation, be sure to comply with the convention requirements.