Wild swans return to Xinjiang's Korla for 20th consecutive winter

A bevy of 400 wild swans glide across the water on the scenic Azalea River in the city of Korla, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Wildlife lovers have gathered here for twenty years to see the swans feeding and frolicking during their annual migration against a snow-dusted backdrop. Local authorities ensure the aquatic birds' safe stay with round-the-clock patrols carried out by a "Swan Brigade" from the Urban Greenery Center. From late autumn to early spring, these feathered visitors transform Korla into a living postcard, creating a scene of harmony with the urban environment. An enduring winter tradition, proving that even in the coldest months, beauty thrives.