Travelers to Hainan, an island province in south China, will have the chance to view tropical birds close up with the opening of a new park.

Located in Ding'an county, the bird park, said to be the largest of its kind in China, is home to 20,000 birds of over 250 species.

Visitors to the park can also enjoy a 32-meter-long and 3.8-meter-high wall with relief sculptures of nine phoenixes, a rain forest for birds, a desert bird park and a parrot square.

The designs of phoenixes in different postures stand for peace, good luck and happiness, park sources said.

(Xinhua News Agency February 3, 2004)