Spring has returned, and migratory birds are heading north. At Huangtai Lake in Hebei Province, northern China, groups of swans forage on the water, nuzzle with entwined necks, and lift into the air, adding movement and life to the season. Beneath the warm sunlight, the lake shimmers as the white birds play and take flight, their shapes contrasting with the clear water to create an attractive spring scene.

In recent years, local authorities have focused on building a first-class ecological environment. The urban stretch now includes 14 square kilometres of open water and more than 453 hectares of ecological islands—about 4.53 square kilometres—providing ample, high-quality habitat for birds and other wildlife.