Whooper swans spend time at Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province on Monday. [Photo by Li Xinjun for chinadaily.com.cn]

Whooper swans have begun to arrive in Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province to stay for the winter.

With its favorable geographical location and wetlands, Rongcheng is an important stop for migratory waterfowl, with more than 10,000 birds staying at the site annually, according to the local government.

The swans stay in the area for around five months, making it one of the largest wintering grounds for whooper swans in the world.

Whooper swans spend time at Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province on Monday. [Photo by Li Xinjun for chinadaily.com.cn]

Whooper swans spend time at Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province on Monday. [Photo by Li Xinjun for chinadaily.com.cn]

Whooper swans spend time at Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province on Monday. [Photo by Li Xinjun for chinadaily.com.cn]

Whooper swans spend time at Rongcheng, a county-level city in Weihai, Shandong province on Monday. [Photo by Li Xinjun for chinadaily.com.cn]