At six in the morning, before the first rays of sunlight have crossed the Nyenchen Tanglha Mountains, the Lhalu Wetland quietly awakens. Also rising is Wangchug, a patrol officer, who starts his daily routine after a quick wash and meal. Armed with a pair of pliers and a sack, he walks back and forth along a three-kilometer patrol route—picking up trash and keeping an eye out for any injured birds that might need help.

"At the feeding spots, when I call out softly, they come over. They are like little kids—so lovely—and they bring so much life to our wetland," says Wangchug. Although it is just a short three-kilometer patrol, Wangchug has been walking this route for nearly two decades.

Lhalu Wetland, known in Tibetan as "Dangra Qingpo," meaning "a vast expanse of reeds," spans 12.2 square kilometers. It is the world's highest-altitude urban inland natural wetland and the largest of its kind in China, often called the "Lung of Lhasa." However, over thirty years ago, it was littered with garbage and severely desertified. "People grazed livestock, washed clothes, dumped trash, and used reeds as fuel," Wangchug recalls.

The turning point came in 1995, when the Lhasa municipal government designated it as a municipal-level nature reserve and initiated relocation and dredging projects. In 2005, it was upgraded to a national-level nature reserve. Since 2000, Xizang has invested hundreds of millions of yuan in three phases of protection projects. Today, the number of bird species in the wetland has grown from over 100 to more than 130, the water quality in the core area remains excellent year-round, and the ecological foundation is increasingly stable. The Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve Administration of Lhasa has also partnered with Xizang University to establish a round-the-clock ecological monitoring network, using technologies such as environmental DNA analysis to make protection more precise.

In recent years, Lhalu Wetland has received multiple authoritative certifications, including National Important Wetland and National Green Camp for Nature Education. "These honors not only recognize our conservation efforts but also highlight the wetland's unique ecological value," says Awang Tashi,deputy director of the Lhalu Wetland National Nature Reserve Administration of Lhasa. He adds that the administration will continue to focus on wetland protection and restoration, telling the story of ecological conservation on the plateau so the wetland can better serve both residents and tourists.

The transformation of Lhalu Wetland is just one window into Lhasa's broader ecological governance. Across this ancient plateau city, a greater "green revolution" is unfolding. The North-South Mountain greening project has draped former barren slopes in lush greenery. The shelter-belts along the Lhasa River stretch like winding green corridors. City parks and roadside green spaces are linked like beads on a string, and the per capita park green area continues to rise. From "pocket parks" in neighborhoods to large ecological forests on the outskirts, more and more green spaces are opening their doors to the public. Data shows that Lhasa maintains a consistently high number of days with good air quality year-round, and water quality in major rivers and lakes meets standards. This city, standing at 3,650 meters above sea level, is demonstrating with action the philosophy that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets."

Ultimately, ecological improvement should transfer into everyday life that people can feel. In the early morning at Dzongyab Lukhang Park, people doexercises like tai chi and dance Guozhuang amid green willows and clear waters. On weekends at Nanshan Park, visitors ascend to overlook Lhasa, marveling at the "city nestled in forests, roads lined with green." In the evening, along the paths of Lhalu Wetland, nearby residents take leisurely strolls, watching water birds return to their nests and listening to frogs and insects. "In the past, the wind was so strong and the sand so bad we didn't dare open the windows. Now the air is much more humid, and the scenery is right outside our door," says Drolma, a resident living near the wetland.

From "litter everywhere" to "rippling clear water," from "human-bird conflict" to "harmonious coexistence," every change in Lhalu Wetland reflects steadfast commitment to green developmentof this ancient plateau city. Today, clear skies, flowing blue waters, and clean land have become Lhasa’s most defining symbols. This wetland, which has nourished the land formillennia—along with the ecological philosophy it represents—continues to spread far and wide, much like the black-necked cranes taking flight. The ecological story of Lhasa is far from over.

Reporter: Liu Siyu

Translator: Zheng Yujie, Zhi Xinghua

Review: Hu Rongguo, Drakpa Wangchen