Set up in 1985, the Shuangtaizi Estuary Nature Reserve covers a total area of 80, 000 hectares. About 30 kilometers from southwest Panjin City, the Shuangtaizi Estuary is a sedimental plain of lower reaches of the Liaohe, Hunhe, Taihe, Raoganghe and Dalinghe Rivers. Living with other usual wetland plants, such as cattail, raupo, sedge and vallisneria, the reeds constitute the main type of vegetation in the Reserve.

A vast area of reeds and marshy land provide excellent condition for the living and breeding of many birds. According to investigation, 242 species of birds live here, most of them are waterfowls. The Reserve is not only an important breeding place for waterfowls, but also a southernmost natural breeding place for rare red — crowned cranes and one of a few rare important breeding places for rare black mouth gulls over the world. The management office of the Reserve has settled an area of 5,600 hectares as a permanent breeding base for black mouth gulls.

Located on the only migrating way in the east of China, the Reserve sees 172 species of migrants totalling more than 10 million each year, of which over 20 species are under key national protection, such as white crane, demoiselle crane, white stork, black stork, white — foreheaded goose, swan, giant buzzard, and goshawk, etc.