Deadline: November 28, 2026
Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest 2026
- Host: Cangzhou International Communication Center;
- Organizer: Xinhuanet North America.
Location
An international contest open to photographers worldwide; the central subject is Nandagang Wetland, a coastal wetland in Cangzhou, Hebei, China, beside the Bohai Sea and the Grand Canal.
- Submission opens: September 28, 2026;
- Submission deadline: November 28, 2026;
- Winners announced: December 30, 2026 (Beijing Time).
Competition Category
Six categories (five photographic + one video; up to six entries per participant per category, as single images or photo series):
01. Global Wetlands — worldwide submissions showcasing wetland landforms, ecosystems and natural landscapes;
02. People and Wetlands — documentary photography on the harmonious coexistence of people and wetlands, traditional ways of life, and ecological guardians conducting wetland patrols;
03. Nandagang Wetland — biodiversity and ecological landscapes of Nandagang Wetland, with a focus on Cangzhou's conservation practice and the beauty of its natural landscapes;
04. Wetlands and Migratory Birds — ecological photography of wetland migratory birds, capturing authentic moments of inhabitation, feeding and migration;
05. Youth Imaging (Under 28) — a streamlined entry channel for young creators; mobile photography is accepted;
06. Wetland Conservation Stories (Video) — videos documenting the harmonious coexistence of people and wetlands, no longer than 3 minutes, horizontal or vertical, covering themes such as ecotourism, sustainable agriculture and traditional fishing/pastoral life.
Accepted image formats: JPG, JPEG, PNG, DNG, HEIC, HEIF; recommended longest side ≥3,000px, single file ≤10MB, sRGB color space; no watermarks, borders, signatures or photographer names. Basic adjustments to exposure, white balance, contrast, sharpness, noise reduction and cropping are permitted; compositing, adding, removing, moving or materially altering image elements is prohibited. Original files with complete EXIF metadata must be retained. AI-generated images, AI expansion, and any digital manipulation that composites, adds, removes or substantially alters content are strictly prohibited. Disturbing wildlife is strictly prohibited: baiting, staged photography, use of hides, and photographing during nesting or chick-rearing periods are banned; violators will be disqualified immediately and may face legal responsibility.
Eligibility
Open. Open to all photographers worldwide, with no restriction on age, profession or nationality; however Category 5 (Youth Imaging) is limited to creators under 28.
Entry Fee
Free to enter.
Prizes/Awards
Cash prizes totalling US$7,800 (excluding three special awards):
- Grand Prize (1 winner): $1,500 (highest overall score, excelling across all judging criteria);
- First Prize (6 winners, one per category): $500 each;
- Second Prize (12 winners, two per category): $200 each;
- Third Prize (18 winners, three per category): $50 each;
- Special Awards (non-cash, 6 winners each): Special Award for Creativity (originality and unconventional perspectives), Special Award for Humanistic Spirit (harmony of people and wetlands, documentary focus), Special Award for Youth (for creators under 28, with fresh perspectives and potential).
All winners are notified and publicly listed; copyright remains with authors, while the organizer receives a non-exclusive, non-commercial global license for public-welfare promotion of ecological conservation and Nandagang-related content, with proper attribution. The jury consists of international landscape, nature, documentary and wildlife photographers (including Albert Dros, Mario Suárez Porras, Georgina Goodwin, Marlondag, Song Ye, Ritu Ahluwalia, Chris Laracy, Khaichuin Sim, Yunkuan Zhu and Chuanyun Gao).
Core Introduction
Themed "Together for Wetlands", the 2026 Nandagang International Wetland Photo Contest invites photographers worldwide to tell stories of wetland conservation and the coexistence of people and migratory birds through images and short videos. Nandagang Wetland in Cangzhou, Hebei, beside the Bohai Sea and the Grand Canal, is a key stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, supporting more than 100,000 birds across 272 species, and is a World Heritage-listed wetland. Six categories are offered this year — Global Wetlands, People and Wetlands, Nandagang Wetland, Wetlands and Migratory Birds, Youth Imaging (under 28) and Wetland Conservation Stories (video) — with up to six entries per participant per category as single images or photo series. Submissions open on September 28, 2026, close on November 28, 2026, and winners are announced on December 30, 2026. Cash prizes total US$7,800: a $1,500 Grand Prize, $500 First Prizes (one per category), $200 Second Prizes (two per category) and $50 Third Prizes (three per category); plus three non-cash Special Awards for Creativity, Humanistic Spirit and Youth (six winners each). The international jury of landscape, nature, documentary and wildlife photographers evaluates entries; works must retain original files with complete EXIF, and AI-generated or composited images and any disturbance of wildlife are strictly prohibited. Entry is free; copyright remains with authors, while the organizer receives a non-exclusive license for non-commercial, public-welfare promotion.
