Skip to main content Skip to navigation

Print subscriptions

Seascape: the state of our oceans

Bohai Bay: the Chinese region disappearing inch by inch – in pictures

This article is more than 6 years old

Farmland, abandoned seaside resorts and salt fields are slowly being claimed by the rising waters, with 100 million people predicted to be affected in China by 2050

All photographs by Sean Gallagher for the Guardian

Farmland disappears into Bohai Bay, northern China. Photograph: Sean Gallagher

Supported by

theguardian.org

About this content

Mon 24 Feb 2020 02.00 EST

Last modified on Wed 25 Aug 2021 09.46 EDT

A patch of farmland surrounded by water in Dawanggang, Hebei Province — The coastline of Bohai Bay, northern China, has been identified one of the most vulnerable areas in China and is threatened by rising sea levels and storm surges. The rising waters have turned some farms into islands. This patch of farmland in Dawanggang, Hebei province, is just a couple of metres above sea level
Share

Fishing boat in the Yellow River estuary — The Yellow River estuary marks the southern boundary of Bohai Bay
Share

A diver harvests sea cucumbers on a farm near the Luan River in Hebei province — A diver harvests sea cucumbers on a farm near the Luan River in Hebei province. Sea cucumbers are sensitive to rising temperatures, with global heating leading to concerns about the future of local aquaculture
Share

Fishermen walk along a sea wall in Tianjin — Tianjin, one of the busiest port cities in the world, is protected predominantly by sea walls of various shapes and sizes that help shelter the coastline and the ships delivering goods in and out of northern China
Share

Waves crash against the shoreline of the abandoned Dawanggang holiday resort, Hebei province — The abandoned Dawanggang holiday resort, Hebei province, has fallen into disrepair after being closed down by the government
Share

A deserted pavilion extends out into Bohai Bay near Ninghe, eastern Tianjin — A deserted pavilion extends out into Bohai Bay near Ninghe, eastern Tianjin
Share

A broken sea wall spills sea water on to aquaculture farmland next to Bohai Bay — Sea walls are vulnerable to damage from storms, and sea water frequently spills on to aquaculture farmland next to Bohai Bay
Share

Salt fields in Shandong province — Saline groundwater provides the perfect place to produce raw salt, which is harvested in many areas along the coast line of Bohai Bay
Share

Trucks carry away unidentified material from a port near the Tao’er estuary that feeds into Bohai Bay — The area is home to some of the busiest ports in the world, with industry taking place next to estuaries that feed into Bohai BayPhotograph: Sean Gallagher/The Guardian
Share

Unidentified industrial pollution is collected in Shandong province — Unidentified industrial pollution in Shandong province. Flooding risks increase the potential for cross-contamination
Share

Unidentified industrial pollution is collected near Heiyanzi village, Hebei province — Large-scale industry in Bohai Bay produces waste materials that must remain separate from the salt and aquaculture fieldsPhotograph: Sean Gallagher/The Guardian
Share

Fishing boats travel under a bridge near Tianjin — Major infrastructure that supports the daily functioning of Tianjin is often impacted by storm surges
Share

New homes and high rise buildings built on reclaimed land in eastern Tianjin — New homes and high-rise buildings built on reclaimed land in eastern Tianjin. The city is home to 15 million people
Share

A sea wall under construction near an artificial beach in eastern Tianjin — A sea wall under construction near an artificial beach in eastern Tianjin. The water from Bohai Bay is at the top of the image and the protected water at the bottom
Share

A wetland on Shijiutuo island, Hebei province — Shijiutuo island is a newly developed ecological park in Hebei province that provides a habitat for migratory birds
Share

A small river feeds into Bohai Bay at the Beikedi DiaoYu wetland park in Shandong province — A small river feeds into Bohai Bay in a wetland in Shandong province. Land reclamation has destroyed much of the area’s wetlands. This project was made possible by The Resilience Fellowship Program, Newmark Journalism SchoolPhotograph: Sean Gallagher/The Guardian
Share

Explore more on these topics

Most viewed

Most viewed