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.