The wetlands drain into the Jinsha River, an upper basin tributary of the Yangtze.

[1] The wetlands are important habitat for resident and migratory waterbirds.

More than 100,000 waterbirds visit each year, and use the lake as a migratory stop-over, breeding ground, and/or wintering habitat.

76 species of geese and ducks have been observed here, and it is habitat for the critically endangered white-shouldered ibis (Pseudibis davisoni) and Baer's pochard (Aythya baeri).

[3] Fishing, poaching and hunting have been banned to protect the lake's wildlife.