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General Information » Environment » Flora & Fauna

According to the regularly told joke, the only wildlife you will see in Beijing is likely to be on a plate. The Chinese, another joke runs, have a tendency to eat anything that flies except aircraft and anything with legs except tables. Their reputation for eating birds and animals that would be off-limits in other countries is well-deserved. However, it is also possible to see a surprising amount of wildlife away from the dining table.

Unfortunately, the birdsong you might hear in inner-city areas such as the traditional hutong neighbourhoods is more likely to emanate from caged birds left outside homes or being taken for a walk by their owners. Beijing’s markets are a major source for the trade in caged birds, despite Chinese government legislation protecting many of the country’s species. Even with an ever-expanding population, the capital and its environs provide a diverse habitat for both flora and fauna. You will see wildlife everywhere, from city centre parks and suburban wetlands to mountains, forests, and the Yellow Sea coast.



This excerpt was taken from

Beijing Explorer
Series: Complete Residents Guides