White swans at the Yellow River wetland in Pinglu county, Shanxi province, are preparing for the long journey back to Siberia. [Photo by Yao Zhongji for chinadaily.com.cn]

Tourists and photographers were glad to see that groups of white swans had gathered recently at the Yellow River wetland in Pinglu county, Shanxi province.

As the weather warms in North China, the birds – which ordinarily spend the winter in the county – are preparing to fly back to Siberia.

The wetland is one of the places in which domestic swans congregate seasonally, with more than 10,000 flocking there to rest over the cold months.

White swans at the Yellow River wetland in Pinglu county, Shanxi province, are preparing for the long journey back to Siberia. [Photo by Yao Zhongji for chinadaily.com.cn]

White swans at the Yellow River wetland in Pinglu county, Shanxi province, are preparing for the long journey back to Siberia. [Photo by Yao Zhongji for chinadaily.com.cn]