Residents have been flocking to the Taping River in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province, to see a group of white swans, a protected species that stays only at places with better ecosystems, particularly swamps with clean water, during their migration.

By Thursday, the river had become a new scenic spot as the beautiful birds attracted many locals. Volunteers also patrolled near the swans to protect them.

With the improvement of water quality in the river, locals are lucky to see about 30 swans this year, experts said, praising the water pollution-control efforts the city has made in recent years.

(www.chinanews.com.cn)