18-Day Bird Watching and Wildlife in Western Sichuan

18-Day Bird Watching and Wildlife in Western Sichuan

As a traveling photographer who’s been to Sichuan Province, I can attest that this region is famous for its fiery cuisine and stunning landscapes, but it’s also the homeland of giant pandas and a haven for a diverse array of birds. With mountains to the west and fertile green lands to the east, every place offers a unique birdwatching experience.

During my safari, I had the pleasure of visiting historical Chengdu, immersing myself in the vibrant culture of the Sichuan people, and exploring numerous forest parks and nature reserves, such as the breathtaking Jiuzhaigou Nature Area, with its vibrant lake and beautiful scenery. This tour truly is an unforgettable experience for anyone who appreciates nature and wildlife photography.

General Information

As a traveling photographer who has explored the stunning landscapes of Sichuan Province, I can recommend several must-visit destinations for any nature and wildlife enthusiast. These include the vibrant city of Chengdu, the breathtaking Longcanggou National Forest Park, the scenic Labahe Forest Park, the awe-inspiring Wolong National Nature Reserve, the stunning Jiuzhaigou National Park, the peaceful Gonggangling Forest, the picturesque Huanglong, and the serene Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve. Each of these destinations offers unique experiences and opportunities for capturing breathtaking photographs of wildlife and nature.

As a passionate traveling photographer who’s explored the stunning landscapes of Sichuan Province, I’ve had the pleasure of encountering a diverse array of wildlife, including fascinating bird species, the adorable Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, the beloved Giant Panda, the charming Red Panda, the majestic Takin, the elusive Serow, the beautiful Chinese Goral, the playful Pere David’s Macaque, the graceful Tibetan Gazelle, the cunning Tibetan Fox, the adorable Plateau Pika, the elegant Tufted Deer, the striking Siberian Roe, and the graceful Sika Deer. Each of these animals offers unique photographic opportunities and an unforgettable experience for anyone who appreciates the beauty of nature and wildlife.

Rates – Per Person USD

The cost per person for this experience starts from USD 6,583.

Kindly take note that…

Prior to paying the deposit to confirm your tour, it’s important to note that reservations are not yet guaranteed, and there may be differences in train or flight schedules as well as hotel accommodations compared to the initial itinerary provided.

The order in which the scenic spots are visited in the itinerary may be subject to change based on unforeseen circumstances and traffic conditions.

What’s Included

• Entrance fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
• All the activity fees mentioned in the itinerary
• Private transfers: transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip in a private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
• Meals: All breakfasts as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner)
• Guide: as outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
• Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with twin-bed. All hotels as listed in the itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
• Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
• Travel Agency Liability Insurance

What’s Excluded

• International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
• China entry visa fees
• Excess baggage charges
• Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing, personal medicine
• Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
• Single room supplement
• Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
• Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
• Tourist accident insurance – it is strongly recommended that you buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country

Disclaimer

• This itinerary is owned and delivered by ‘China Adventure Tours‘
• All prices are ‘From’ and may vary at the time of booking
• Display price is usually based on two people sharing
• ‘China Adventure Tours‘ reserves the right to change the content and price of the itinerary
• All itineraries are subject to availability

Day by Day Overview

Upon arrival in Chengdu, the vibrant capital of Sichuan province and the hometown of pandas, your local guide will welcome you at the airport and take you on a transfer to explore the historical and cultural area of Broad Lane and Narrow Lane (Kuan Xiangzi and Zhai Xiangzi). This charming area comprises three alleys: Kuan Alley, Zhai Alley, and Jing Alley, each offering a unique glimpse into the typical lifestyles and various aspects of Chengdu’s history and culture, including leisurely and slow-paced living. You’ll have the opportunity to experience the old, new, and evolving lifestyles in each alley, creating unforgettable memories.

Xinliang Hotel is the accommodation provided for the overnight stay, and both lunch and dinner are included in the package.

On this day, we will embark on a scenic drive to the Botanical Garden, where we’ll have the opportunity to observe a wide variety of birds in their natural habitat. Following this, we’ll proceed to Longcang Gou for more bird watching in the picturesque Longcanggou National Forest Park. The park is home to an impressive array of bird species, including the gold-fronted fulvetta, buffy and red-winged laughing thrushes, Emei Shan liocichla, and grey-hooded parrotbill. Additionally, visitors have the chance to catch a glimpse of the adorable red panda (with the highest likelihood being from October to mid-November).

As a seasoned traveler and photographer, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting destinations to explore. During one of my recent journeys, I had the pleasure of visiting the Longcanggou National Forest Park in Sichuan province, a truly breathtaking area with an abundance of wildlife and stunning scenery.

On one of the days of my trip, I set out on a 187km drive to the park, which took approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes. Despite the lengthy journey, the picturesque views along the way made it all worthwhile. Upon arrival, I was struck by the serene atmosphere and natural beauty of the area.

After a hearty breakfast, I set out for some bird watching in the nearby Botanical Garden. The diverse range of bird species on display was truly awe-inspiring, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat. From there, I headed to Longcang Gou for even more bird watching in the stunning national forest park. The park is home to an array of bird species, including the gold-fronted fulvetta, buffy and red-winged laughing thrushes, Emei Shan liocichla, and grey-hooded parrotbill.

Following a full day of exploration and adventure, I retired to the cozy Hulin Shanzhuang Guesthouse for a delicious dinner and a well-deserved rest. The rustic yet comfortable guesthouse provided the perfect ambiance to reflect on the day’s events and prepare for the next day’s adventures.

Overall, my visit to Longcanggou National Forest Park was a truly unforgettable experience. With its stunning scenery, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for adventure and relaxation alike, it’s a destination that I highly recommend to any fellow travelers looking for a one-of-a-kind experience.

During the next couple of days, we will venture into the mountains to discover various environments, including deciduous forests on the lower slopes and patches of bamboo and mixed coniferous-rhododendron forests at higher elevations.

Nestled in the beautiful mountains, the Hulin Shanzhuang Guesthouse is the perfect place to relax and unwind after a day of exploration. The guesthouse offers comfortable and cozy accommodations that will make you feel right at home.

Wake up to a delicious breakfast served in the guesthouse’s dining room and fuel up for another day of adventure. Our tour includes lunch, so you can enjoy a tasty meal while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the mountains.

In the evening, return to the guesthouse for a hearty dinner and share stories of your day’s adventures with your fellow travelers. The guesthouse offers a welcoming atmosphere and friendly staff who will ensure your stay is comfortable and enjoyable.

After dinner, take a stroll around the guesthouse and marvel at the starry night sky. The peaceful surroundings of the mountains and the tranquility of the guesthouse will make you feel at one with nature.

With breakfast, lunch, and dinner included, you can focus on exploring the beautiful surroundings and immersing yourself in the local culture without having to worry about meal planning. The Hulin Shanzhuang Guesthouse is the perfect place to recharge your batteries and experience the beauty of the mountains.

Today is our last morning at Longcanggou National Forest Park, so we’ll make the most of it by going birding. We’ll keep our eyes open for any interesting birds along the way as we travel to our next destination, Labahe Forest Park. Once we arrive, we’ll head out to see the birds that inhabit the area, including Temminck’s tragopan, Lady Amherst’s pheasant, and golden-breasted fulvetta. The park is also home to various mammals such as golden takin, Chinese goral, and Pere David’s macaque, so we may be lucky enough to spot some of them.

Our day will be filled with excitement and adventure, as we explore the beautiful surroundings of Labahe Forest Park. We’ll spend the day bird watching, taking in the beautiful scenery, and enjoying the fresh air. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the wildlife that inhabits the area, and we’ll be sure to take plenty of photos to capture our memories.

As the day comes to a close, we’ll head back to our accommodation at Hulin Shanzhuang Guesthouse. We’ll enjoy a delicious dinner and relax in our comfortable rooms, reflecting on the amazing experiences we had throughout the day.

Today we will travel to our next destination, Labahe Forest Park, after a final morning of birdwatching at Longcanggou. As we make our way to Labahe, we will be on the lookout for any interesting birds along the route. Upon arrival, we will immediately head out to explore the beautiful park and its many inhabitants.

Labahe Forest Park is home to a diverse array of bird species, including the Temminck’s tragopan, Lady Amherst’s pheasant, and golden-breasted fulvetta. In addition to the birds, we may also have the opportunity to spot some fascinating mammals such as golden takin, Chinese goral, and Pere David’s macaque.

After a long day of exploring, we will retire to our accommodation for the night at the Lanshanjing Hotel. We can look forward to a delicious meal and a comfortable night’s rest before continuing our adventure tomorrow.

As a travelling photographer, I am always on the lookout for new and exciting bird species to capture on camera. And today’s itinerary promises just that! We will be embarking on an early morning drive to Rilong, crossing Jiajinshan Erlang Shan in the process. If our group is small enough, we might even get the opportunity to pass through the Erlang Tunnel to spot some birds.

The area is known for its rich birdlife, and I’m especially excited to spot the Lady Amherst’s pheasant and firethroat. But I know there will be many other interesting bird species to discover along the way.

As we traverse the mountains, I can’t help but marvel at the stunning views around us. The landscape is truly breathtaking, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to witness it firsthand.

I’m looking forward to a full day of birdwatching and photography, and I can’t wait to see what other surprises this journey has in store for us. After a long and fulfilling day, we will be settling in at the Lanshanjing Hotel for the night, ready to continue our adventure tomorrow.

Yunshang Hotel will be our accommodation for the night, and breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided.

Today, we will be driving to Wolong National Nature Reserve, passing through the Balang Tunnel. However, if the weather permits, instead of crossing the tunnel, we can take the old road over the Balang Shan to spot some birds. Upon arriving at Wolong, we can expect to see a variety of bird species, such as the golden pheasant, firethroat, Indian blue robin, great parrotbill, and slaty bunting. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, and we will be staying overnight at Yunshang Hotel.

Included in your package are breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and you will be staying overnight at Immersing Hotels & Resorts Panda.

Explore the Wolong National Nature Reserve throughout the day, which is known globally for its efforts in conserving Giant Pandas, and has much to offer for birdwatchers as well. The area is picturesque, and although spotting a wild giant panda is unlikely, we might spot a red panda in the reserve. The beautiful mountain range, dense bamboo groves, breathtaking alpine meadows, and rough, snow-capped peaks of the reserve have some incredible birds for birders to spot.

You will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner as they are included in your stay at the Immersing Hotels & Resorts Panda.

If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience during your time in China, don’t miss the chance to explore the beautiful landscape of Siguniang Shan and its stunning sunset views. On the way back to Balang Shan, we’ll have the opportunity to spot some interesting bird species and enjoy the picturesque scenery of Maobiliang.

This is the perfect way to end our birdwatching adventure in China. You can relax and take in the incredible views while enjoying the last moments of this unique journey.

Don’t forget to bring your camera and capture the beauty of this place. And of course, our team will be there to assist you throughout the trip.

As always, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, and we’ll be staying at the comfortable Immersing Hotels & Resorts Panda for the night.

Yunshang Hotel will be your accommodation for the night. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included. The distance to be covered is 100km, and it will take approximately 2 hours to drive to the destination.

We will drive to Zhuokeji via Mengbi Shan and search for birds along the way. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included.

Today we embark on a 4-hour drive covering a distance of 187km. During the journey, we will stop to enjoy breakfast and lunch. The day’s itinerary also includes exploring various locations on the way to Datusi Yinxiang Hotel, where we will spend the night. Keep an eye out for some fascinating bird species along the way. Make sure to have your binoculars and cameras ready to capture the beautiful sights and moments. At night, indulge in some delicious dinner before retiring to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Located at the transitional zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Mengbi Shan is an important habitat for a diverse range of bird species. Our morning will start with a drive to this mountain, where we can spot various avian species like blood pheasant, Verreaux’s monal partridge, crested tit warbler, and Sichuan jay. The Mengbi Shan is home to several target birds for us to explore.

After spending some quality time in Mengbi Shan, we’ll continue our drive towards Ruoergai. This place is famous for its abundant population of Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan fox, and plateau pika. Keep an eye out for these fascinating creatures as we make our way to our final destination for the day. We’ll be staying at the comfortable and cozy Datusi Yinxiang Hotel and will enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner during our stay. Get ready to witness the beauty of nature and explore the amazing biodiversity of these regions.

The distance to be covered is 317 km and it will take approximately 5.5 hours to reach our destination. The package includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we will be staying overnight at Dazang Holy Land Hotel.

Drive to Baxi Forest and Flower Lake in the morning to observe an array of thrilling birds and wildlife such as Chinese serow, tufted deer, Siberian roe, and sika deer. The wetlands located here are referred to as the “lungs of Sichuan” and are the most crucial wetlands in the province. Later, travel to Chuanzhu Si. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the tour, and guests will be spending the night at Dazang Holy Land Hotel.

The accommodation for the night will be at Dazang Holy Land Hotel and meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided. The next day, we will embark on a 3-hour drive covering a distance of 220km.

In the morning, we will do birdwatching around the grasslands and wetlands near Ruoergai. After that, we will drive to Jiuzhaigou passing through Galitai, Chuanzhu Si, and Gonggangling.

Jiuzhaigou, located in the northern part of Sichuan province, is famous for its stunning natural scenery and diverse wildlife. Today, we will embark on a scenic 232km drive to Jiuzhai Run Du Hotsping International Hotel, where we will spend the night.

On our way, we will have the opportunity to witness the beautiful landscapes of Sichuan province, passing through Galitai, Chuanzhu Si and Gonggangling. Along the way, we will also make several stops to explore the grasslands and wetlands around Ruoergai area, where we can spot some interesting bird species.

After a morning of birding, we will continue our journey to Jiuzhai Run Du Hotsping International Hotel. Once we arrive, we can relax in the hot springs and indulge in the luxurious amenities provided by the hotel.

Jiuzhaigou is known for its stunning natural beauty, including its famous national park. Tomorrow, we will explore this magnificent park, taking in its breathtaking waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and vibrant forests. We will also keep an eye out for the park’s diverse wildlife, including the elusive giant panda. Stay tuned for an exciting adventure in Jiuzhaigou!

Jiuzhaigou, located in the northern part of Sichuan province, is famous for its stunning natural scenery and diverse wildlife. Today, we will embark on a scenic 232km drive to Jiuzhai Run Du Hotsping International Hotel, where we will spend the night.

On our way, we will have the opportunity to witness the beautiful landscapes of Sichuan province, passing through Galitai, Chuanzhu Si and Gonggangling. Along the way, we will also make several stops to explore the grasslands and wetlands around Ruoergai area, where we can spot some interesting bird species.

After a morning of birding, we will continue our journey to Jiuzhai Run Du Hotsping International Hotel. Once we arrive, we can relax in the hot springs and indulge in the luxurious amenities provided by the hotel.

Jiuzhaigou is known for its stunning natural beauty, including its famous national park. Tomorrow, we will explore this magnificent park, taking in its breathtaking waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, and vibrant forests. We will also keep an eye out for the park’s diverse wildlife, including the elusive giant panda. Stay tuned for an exciting adventure in Jiuzhaigou!