Trip: China – Sichuan and Tibetan Plateau.
Marc Cronje
Summary: During the tour the temperature ranged from 2ºC to 29ºC. We recorded 31 mammal species, over 250 species of birds, and 9 species of reptiles. The species mentioned in the daily summaries are only some of those seen.
Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu
Our Sichuan tour in China began with everyone arriving at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport on various international flights. From there, we transferred to our downtown hotel, passing through the bustling streets of Chengdu. A few birds recorded along the way included Red-billed Starling, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, White-browed Laughingthrush, and Crested Myna.
That evening, we gathered for a delicious traditional dinner at a local restaurant. As the birthplace of the famous Sichuan hot pot, the province offered the perfect opportunity to experience one of China’s most iconic culinary traditions. We were certainly not disappointed—the meal was outstanding and a wonderful introduction to the region’s rich food culture.
After a day of long international journeys, everyone welcomed an early night and a well-earned, restful sleep in preparation for the exciting birding adventures that lay ahead.
Day 2: Chengdu to Yibin
Before beginning our long drive to Yibin, we enjoyed a leisurely walk through the extensive, beautifully landscaped grounds of the Chengdu Botanical Gardens. The morning proved exceptionally rewarding, with excellent views of several outstanding species. Highlights included a striking Tiger Shrike, a stunning male Fork-tailed Sunbird feeding in the flowering trees, and a remarkably cooperative Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler.
Other noteworthy sightings included several pairs and flocks of Vinous-throated Parrotbills, Common Cuckoo, the delightful Swinhoe’s White-eye, Chinese Blackbird, Collared Finchbill, numerous Black-throated Bushtits, Rufous-capped Babbler, Oriental Greenfinch, a particularly showy Rufous-faced Warbler, and the ever-present, confiding White-browed Laughingthrush, which kept us entertained throughout our walk. A pair of Amur Paradise Flycatchers attending a nest provided a memorable sighting, especially for the photographers. It was a fantastic start to the tour, with several participants already reaching double-digit lifers on the very first day.
We soon departed Chengdu and made our way towards Yibin. Along the journey, we enjoyed a delicious lunch while learning more about China, its fascinating traditions, and local culture. The drive also provided a wonderful opportunity for the group to get to know one another better, with several participants having travelled together on previous birding adventures.
Our afternoon birding session produced another excellent selection of species, including Oriental Magpie, Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-capped Babbler, David’s Fulvetta, an unforgettable Chinese Hwamei that showed beautifully in the open—simply spectacular—and the striking white-headed form of Black Bulbul.
After an enjoyable day’s birding, we settled into our hotel for the evening and shared another fantastic meal together, reflecting on the day’s highlights before retiring for a well-earned night’s sleep.
Day 3: Yibin to Longcanggou
Our day began with an early departure from Tanshi Village as we made our way up the mountainside for what promised to be an unforgettable morning of birding. Everyone was in great spirits, eagerly anticipating the exciting birds that lay ahead.
The morning was spent visiting the three well-established hides in Long Hua Forest. These renowned feeding stations have become one of China’s premier birding destinations, offering exceptional opportunities to observe some of the country’s most sought-after species at remarkably close range. Our primary target was the magnificent Temminck’s Tragopan—a species that is notoriously difficult to see well elsewhere. It required a little patience, but at our second hide we were rewarded with breathtaking, close-up views of a stunning male.
The entire experience was simply outstanding, with incredible views of many of the trip’s highlight species. The photographic opportunities were equally spectacular. One of the first birds to greet us was a pair of the near-mythical Sichuan Partridges, setting the tone for an exceptional morning. From there, the birds just kept coming. We enjoyed excellent sightings of Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Chinese Babax, Emei Shan Liocichla, Green-backed Tit, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler, dazzling Red-billed Leiothrix, and numerous Buffy Laughingthrushes. Having such outstanding photographic opportunities made the experience even more rewarding and is one of the reasons this itinerary also works so well as a dedicated bird photography tour.
It was truly a phenomenal morning—one that I will cherish for a very long time. It was also heartening to see these remarkable birds being protected and to witness the positive benefits that avitourism is bringing to the local communities.
After another delicious lunch, we spent time discussing the morning’s highlights and admiring the many superb photographs before continuing our journey to Longcanggou. The drive provided a welcome opportunity to catch up on our bird lists, share stories from the morning’s adventures, and admire the ever-changing scenery of rural China.
Our afternoon birding around Longcanggou produced more excellent sightings, including Brown Bullfinch, Bay Woodpecker, Dusky Fulvetta, a stunning Long-tailed Minivet, and the impressive, Red-billed Blue Magpie, which posed beautifully in the open for everyone to enjoy.
We rounded off another memorable day with a delicious dinner, reflecting on the remarkable birds and experiences we had shared. After updating our checklists, we retired for a well-earned night’s sleep, eager for the adventures that awaited us the following day.
Day 4: Longcanggou to Wawushan mountain
Our morning began with a pre-breakfast walk around the Longcanggou area. The scenery in Longcanggou National Park was spectacular, and we were immediately treated to the delightful sight of a Brown Dipper swimming in the river as we arrived. It was a particularly special moment for one of our guests, as this was a bird family he had always hoped to see. The ever-showy Plumbeous Water Redstart added to the excitement.
Our walk proved highly productive, with the undeniable highlight being phenomenal, prolonged views of the elusive Golden-fronted Fulvetta in the open. This was one of our primary target species, and to enjoy such exceptional views was a real treat. Other notable birds recorded during the morning included Yellow-bellied Tit, Martens’s Warbler, Alström’s Warbler, the endemic Emei Leaf Warbler, the charming Black-chinned Yuhina, Great Barbet, and a confiding pair of Grey Treepies.
We enjoyed breakfast in the field overlooking the scenic river and surrounding park before heading to a nearby site in search of the skulking and notoriously difficult Sichuan Bush Warbler. This endemic certainly made us work for it, but with patience and persistence we were eventually rewarded with satisfying views of this secretive species. We then said our goodbyes to Longcanggou and continued our journey towards the legendary Wawushan Mountain.
Wawushan Mountain is regarded as a mythical destination among birders. Its lush slopes, pristine subtropical forests, and bamboo-covered plateau have attracted visitors from Chengdu for nearly a millennium—and with good reason. The scenery is breathtaking and seemingly endless, the habitats remain remarkably intact, and the engineering involved in constructing the gondola, along with the country’s extensive road network and infrastructure, is truly impressive.
A good portion of the remainder of the day was spent travelling to this remarkable destination. Along the way we enjoyed another delicious Chinese lunch, with the smoked pork once again proving to be a firm favourite. A few birds around our hotel included Red-billed Blue Magpie and a stunning Chinese Blue Flycatcher.
With a storm beginning to build over the mountains, we retired a little earlier than planned, enjoyed some well-earned downtime, and later gathered for another scrumptious dinner at our wonderful hotel. We updated our bird lists, reflected on the day’s highlights, and discussed our plans for the exciting birding that lay ahead. The evening concluded with a birthday celebration in style before we headed off to bed, eagerly anticipating the spectacular avian treasures awaiting us the following day.
Day 5: Wawushan mountain to Luding
Wawushan Mountain, the world’s second largest table mountain and the largest in Asia, is renowned for its vast flat-topped massif, pristine forests, and breathtaking scenery. Our time at Wawushan proved to be one of the highlights of the tour, producing many of Sichuan’s most sought-after birds and mammals.
The summit was exceptionally rewarding, with outstanding views of four parrotbill species—Great, Fulvous, Brown, and Gray-headed Parrotbills—all showing remarkably well. Other highlights included the unbelievably confiding Spotted Bush Warbler, Yellowish-bellied Bush Warbler, a vocal and showy Lesser Cuckoo, soon followed by a Large Hawk-Cuckoo, Rufous-vented Tit, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Buff-throated and Bianchi’s Warblers, Gray-hooded Fulvetta, White-collared Yuhina, Golden Bush Robin, wonderfully cooperative Black-faced and Elliot’s Laughingthrushes, the little-known Sichuan Thrush, and White-browed Bush Robin. It was an exceptional day’s birding in one of China’s most spectacular birding destinations.
The undisputed highlight of the day, however, was an unforgettable encounter with a Red Panda. We were fortunate enough to watch one feeding in the open just five metres from us—a truly magical experience and one of the world’s most coveted mammal sightings. As one of the primary mammal targets of the tour, seeing this iconic species so well in its natural habitat was incredibly rewarding.
Other mammals recorded included Swinhoe’s Striped Squirrel and Tibetan Macaque, both of which provided excellent views.
The combination of outstanding birds and mammals, well-developed infrastructure providing easy access to the high-altitude forests, and Wawushan’s magnificent scenery made this one of the most enjoyable and productive days of the entire trip.
After our unforgettable morning on the mountain, we continued our journey to Luding, spending the drive reliving the day’s highlights and learning more about the region’s fascinating history and culture. We rounded off another memorable day with a delicious dinner and a few well-earned cold drinks as we celebrated an outstanding day of birding in China.
Day 6: Luding (Erlang Mountain) to Hailuogou Glacier Park
We enjoyed a wonderful morning of birding on Erlang Mountain. Since the completion of the Erlang Mountain tunnel, the old mountain pass road has become a peaceful and highly productive birding route. The spectacular scenery, with snow-capped peaks stretching toward Tibet, was an added highlight of the morning. Our main target here was the endemic Rufous-tailed Babbler, and we were rewarded with excellent views of this monotypic species singing openly. It was also a memorable milestone for the group, becoming our 3,500th bird species recorded worldwide — a fitting bird for the occasion.
Other species seen during the morning included Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, the beautiful Firethroat, Southern Nutcracker, Yellow-browed Tit, Coal Tit, Cinereous Tit, Yellow-bellied Tit, Black-browed Bushtit, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Buff-throated Warbler, Grey-crowned Warbler, White-browed Fulvetta, Rusty-capped Fulvetta, Mountain Hawk-Eagle, Godlewski’s Bunting, Chestnut-flanked White-eye, Spotted Laughingthrush, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Yellow-throated Bunting, and Black-headed Greenfinch. It was another fabulous morning filled with excellent birds and stunning scenery.
After exploring the mountain and enjoying a tasty lunch, we continued to Hailuogou Glacier Park, the only glacier forest park in China. The drive to Hailuogou was spectacular, with beautiful mountain scenery accompanying us along the way.
Late-afternoon birding around our comfortable accommodation produced Sichuan Treecreeper, the elusive Himalayan Shortwing, and Yellow-browed Tit. A few of us also took the opportunity to relax in the hot pools before gathering for a delicious dinner, updating our lists, and sharing stories about our wonderful hobby and the remarkable places birding takes us.
Day 7: Hailuogou to Labahe
Our pre-breakfast walk through this beautiful area got the day off to a fantastic start, with superb, close-up views of a Necklaced Woodpecker out in the open. After breakfast, we explored an incredibly scenic forest trail, where we enjoyed sightings of Ferruginous Flycatcher, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Stripe-throated and Rufous-vented Yuhinas, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, and White-throated Needletail. With a bit of patience and persistence, we were also rewarded with excellent views of a Chestnut-headed Tesia. As we emerged from the forest, a Himalayan Vulture soared overhead—it’s always a thrill to watch these magnificent birds in flight.
After an enjoyable morning, we made our way down the mountain and continued to our next destination, Labahe. A quick stop en route for a scrumptious lunch and a short break was well appreciated before we arrived at the picturesque Labahe National Park. A flock of Pacific (Fork-tailed) Swifts circling at the park entrance provided a new species for most of the group. Our main objective for the evening was to search for some of the reserve’s renowned mammal species.
After settling into our accommodation and enjoying yet another excellent meal, we headed out on a night drive—and what a drive it turned out to be, despite the rain. The action began almost immediately with a Mainland Leopard Cat crossing the road in front of us. As the evening unfolded, we spotlighted several striking Red-and-white Giant Flying Squirrels, a Masked Palm Civet, Sambar, and, to round off an exceptional night, a Greater Hog Badger running along the road. It was a fantastic way to end another memorable day birding and wildlife watching in China.
Day 8: Labahe to Wolong
Our morning began with a delicious breakfast before heading out to explore the scenic reserve. We started at the highest section of the reserve, accessed by cable car/gondola ascending from 2,750m to 3,500m above sea level. In the stunted, rhododendron-dominated slopes of this spectacular alpine zone, we enjoyed excellent views of several of our remaining target bush warblers, with Chestnut-crowned, Grey-sided, and Spotted Bush Warblers all being new for the trip and showing particularly well. Other highlights included a singing male Golden Bush Robin out in the open, while a male Temminck’s Tragopan was a standout sighting for the group—especially for the photographers. A White-winged Grosbeak seen just before boarding the cable car was another excellent addition, and on the descent, we enjoyed great views of a Dark-breasted Rosefinch in the open.
The remainder of the morning was spent exploring mid- to high-altitude mixed broadleaved and coniferous forest with dense bamboo understory, where most of our notable species were found. Mixed feeding flocks were especially productive, containing a variety of warblers including Ashy-throated, Bianchi’s, Greenish, and Buff-barred Warblers. These flocks also held Yellow-browed, Coal, and Green-backed Tits, along with Long-tailed Minivets, Rufous-gorgeted and Ferruginous Flycatchers, White-collared and Stripe-throated Yuhinas, and Darjeeling Woodpecker.
After a quick, enjoyable lunch, we continued on to Wolong, surrounded by lush forest and rugged, snow-capped peaks. Our afternoon birding along the Jiajin Mountain Pass proved very rewarding, with excellent views of Blood Pheasant—a real highlight and a target species for many in the group.
We ended the day with a relaxed evening, enjoying another delicious meal while reflecting on the day’s outstanding bird sightings and discussing upcoming trips. A well-earned rest was in order in preparation for another exciting day ahead.
Day 9: Wolong to Maerkang
An early start was on the cards as we headed to the upper reaches of Balangshan Mountain in search of high-elevation specialties. The morning began in spectacular fashion with a Tibetan Snowcock walking in the open, allowing close views and excellent photographic opportunities. Shortly afterwards, a pair of Chinese Monal put on a fantastic show, adding to an already memorable start.
Other notable sightings included Red-billed Chough, several pairs and flocks of Snow Pigeon, and Red-fronted, Pink-rumped, and Dark-breasted Rosefinches. As the morning continued, additional Tibetan Snowcock were seen well, alongside stunning views of Grandala, Alpine Accentor, Blue-throated Redstart, Brandt’s Mountain Finch, and Plain Mountain Finch. A short breakfast stop overlooking the breathtaking scenery also produced the first of many Himalayan Marmots.
Our descent to lower elevations proved just as rewarding, with excellent encounters with the striking Chinese Rubythroat and a beautifully perched White-browed Tit-Warbler. It was a truly outstanding morning, combining incredible scenery, superb birding, and excellent photographic opportunities.
After a highly rewarding time in Wolong and Balangshan, we continued to Mengbi Mountain in search of additional target species. A pair of White-eared Pheasant feeding in the open provided an excellent roadside encounter.
We enjoyed a quick lunch before heading up to higher elevations to continue our search. Mengbi Mountain, situated between Xiaojin County and Maerkang, is characterised by well-preserved virgin forest, abundant flowering plants, and minimal human disturbance—making it a true haven for birds, with equally impressive scenery.
The afternoon proved very successful, with excellent sightings including Chestnut-throated Monal-Partridge feeding in the open, another pair of White-eared Pheasant, Crested Tit-Warbler, Himalayan Bluetail, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, Goldcrest, and a very welcome Sichuan Thrush. Mammal highlights included Woolly Hare, Tufted Deer, and Gansu Pika.
Another excellent day in China was rounded off with drinks as the group caught up on lists before enjoying a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 10: Maerkang to Ruoergai
We began our morning with an early departure, as we had a long drive ahead to reach our next destination on the Tibetan Plateau. The morning was mainly spent travelling, but we made a few productive stops along the way, enjoying excellent sightings of Ruddy Shelduck, the striking, Black-necked Crane, Upland Buzzard, Giant Grey Shrike, Daurian Jackdaw, White-backed Thrush, Salim Ali’s Swift, Pale Martin, and both Rufous-necked and White-rumped Snowfinches.
In birding circles, Zoige (Ruoergai) is best known for the rare and beautiful monotypic Przewalski’s Pinktail. This species has had a complex taxonomic history, variously treated as a finch (Przewalski’s Rosefinch) and even a bunting (Pink-tailed Bunting), before being recognised as a truly distinctive lineage of its own. We enjoyed excellent views of this remarkable bird, including its beautiful song, all set against the stunning backdrop of the southern Tibetan Plateau. A pair of Tibetan Partridges was a welcome addition as we made our way out into the field.
Other noteworthy species included Brown-headed Gull, Bearded and Cinereous Vultures, Horned Lark, Robin Accentor, Golden Eagle, Black-rumped Magpie, and the ever-charming Ground Tit.
As the group also had a strong interest in mammal watching, we paused at a few likely spots for Blue Sheep and were rewarded with excellent views of this impressive goat-antelope. Additional highlights included Tibetan Fox, Red Fox, Plateau Pika, Himalayan Marmot, and Tibetan Gazelle. The combination of diverse mammals and outstanding birding made for a particularly rewarding day for the group, who enjoy both aspects of wildlife travel.
We rounded off another successful day with a delicious meal in town before heading to bed for a well-earned rest after a full and rewarding day in the field.
Day 11: Ruoergai
We spent a day in the splendid high-altitude Baxi Forest, where we enjoyed excellent views of Blue-eared Pheasant, Bearded and Himalayan Vultures, Red-billed Chough, Coal Tit, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, and the endemic Sichuan Tit. Other highlights included Chinese Leaf Warbler, Chinese Nuthatch, and the endemic Elliot’s, Giant, and Père David’s Laughingthrushes. We also recorded a suite of colourful species such as Blue-fronted, Hodgson’s, and White-throated Redstarts, along with Maroon-backed Accentor, White-winged Grosbeak, Red Crossbill, and Godlewski’s Bunting.
The Ruoergai Marshlands, located on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, form the largest high-altitude marsh system in the world. Sitting at around 3,500 metres above sea level and covering approximately 2,600 square kilometres, this remarkable landscape offered both exceptional birding and a fascinating introduction to Tibetan culture. The varied scenery and open expanses were enjoyed by all.
In the late afternoon, a visit to Flower Lake provided superb views of the elegant, Black-necked Crane. A slow walk along the boardwalk, scanning for waterbirds and grassland species, produced sightings of Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Gadwall, Eurasian Teal, Brown-cheeked Rail, Tibetan Sand Plover, Citrine Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, White-rumped Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Ground Tit, the endemic Tibetan Lark, Horned Lark, Oriental Skylark, and Common Kestrel. We also enjoyed excellent views of plateau mammals including Plateau Pika, Himalayan Marmot, Tibetan Fox, and Red Fox—offering superb photographic opportunities as they showed remarkably well in the open.
We ended the day with another excellent meal in town, updating our lists and reflecting on the incredible birding experiences of the day and how birding continues to take us to such remarkable places.
Day 12: Ruoergai to Chuanzhusi
Our morning began with a return visit to the Baxi Forest as we made our way towards our next destination, Chuanzhusi. We focused our efforts on the mountain’s pristine forests along the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, where we enjoyed some excellent birding. Highlights included Great Spotted Woodpecker, Himalayan Bluetail, Plain Laughingthrush (Père David’s Laughingthrush), Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush, the endemic Sichuan Tit, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Crested Tit-Warbler, and Slaty-backed Flycatcher. After such a productive morning, with the birds showing exceptionally well, we bid farewell to Baxi Forest and continued our journey across the spectacular Tibetan Plateau towards Chuanzhusi.
The drive was both scenic and enjoyable, giving us the opportunity to learn more about Tibetan culture and life in China while chatting about birds and birding. It was also exciting to hear that several members of the group are already looking forward to travelling together again on future tours to Zambia, Borneo, and Madagascar over the next few years.
Our afternoon excursion to Tianhuashi Mountain proved equally rewarding. We were greeted by a Blue-eared Pheasant feeding out in the open, allowing for outstanding views. Other memorable sightings included Bearded Vulture, Sichuan Tit, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Olive-backed Pipit, and the beautiful Himalayan and Pink-rumped Rosefinches. A Gansu Pika was also a delightful mammal addition to the trip list.
Another outstanding meal was enjoyed in town, and once again we appreciated the incredible variety of flavours, spices, and cuisine that China has to offer. We also celebrated another special milestone, as one of our guests recorded their 2,000th bird species in the world—a fantastic achievement. With another memorable day behind us, everyone enjoyed a well-earned night’s rest.
Day 13: Chuanzhusi to Pingwu
A slightly later start, followed by breakfast at the hotel, was enjoyed by all before we headed back up Tianhuashi Mountain. We were rewarded with a fantastic morning, with good weather, superb scenery, and excellent bird activity. A major highlight was Tibetan Snowcock in the open—yet again providing this trip with outstanding photographic opportunities. Other species recorded on the mountain included Black-rumped Magpie, Buff-barred Warbler, and Chinese Fulvetta, which the entire group enjoyed excellent views of. We also had memorable encounters with the beautifully striking Siberian Rubythroat in the open, as well as Hodgson’s Treecreeper, Streaked Rosefinch, and Grey-headed Bullfinch. On the mammal front, we enjoyed good views of Eastern Roe Deer and Glover’s Pika while relaxing with a coffee at the top of the pass.
After a highly successful morning and a tasty lunch, we departed Chuanzhusi and made our way toward Pingwu. En route, we stopped at Gonggangling Pass to target a few remaining species. A pleasant walk along the pass provided a welcome stretch and produced several key sightings, including Gansu Leaf Warbler, Hume’s Warbler, Yellow-bellied Tit, Chinese Nuthatch, and excellent views of Collared Grosbeak.
After checking in and freshening up, we enjoyed another excellent meal together. The evening was spent reflecting on the highlights of the trip and discussing the excitement still to come. We are hopeful for a few final special bird species, as well as some good mammal sightings, at Tangjiahe.
Day 14: Pingwu to Tangjiahe
Our morning began with a delicious breakfast before we headed out in search of the Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys. We enjoyed a beautiful walk-through scenic forest and were rewarded with spectacular views of these incredibly charismatic primates. We encountered a large troop, including several young infants, which provided excellent photographic opportunities.
Birdlife along the walk was equally rewarding, with sightings including Oriental Honey-buzzard, Long-tailed Minivet, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Black-chinned Yuhina, Peregrine Falcon, Striped Prinia, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, the little-known Zappey’s Flycatcher, and numerous Oriental Greenfinches.
Tangjiahe is widely regarded as one of China’s premier destinations for both mammal and birdwatching. In the afternoon, we continued exploring this remarkable reserve, with highlights including Mountain Hawk Eagle, Pacific Swift, Brown Dipper, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Bulbul, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Spectacled Fulvetta, Crested Kingfisher, White-crowned Forktail, Zappey’s Flycatcher, White-collared Yuhina, Slaty Bunting, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, and Chestnut-crowned Warbler.
As the group also had a strong interest in mammal watching, we were particularly excited to explore the park from that perspective, as it is home to a number of special species. The standout sighting of the late afternoon was an Asiatic Black Bear feeding in the open—an unforgettable encounter. Another highlight was a Malayan Porcupine seen walking along the road during our night drive. Additional noteworthy mammals included Chinese Goral, Père David’s Rock Squirrel, Reeves’s Muntjac, Eurasian Wild Boar, Masked Palm Civet, Northern Hog Badger, and Asian Long-tailed Climbing Mouse.
On the nocturnal birding front, we enjoyed excellent views of both Tawny Fish Owl and Northern Boobook at close range. It was an incredible day and night in the field. Sichuan offers exceptional opportunities for birding, wildlife, and photography, making this journey truly special.
Day 15: Tangjiahe to Chengdu and Departure.
Our morning began with a slightly later start, following a late night spent enjoying the exceptional wildlife the park had to offer during the previous evening and early hours. A relaxed and tasty breakfast was welcomed by all.
As we made our way out of the park, we enjoyed sightings of Chinese Goral, Reeves’s Muntjac, and Eurasian Wild Boar. On the birding front, we had excellent views of a pair of Brown Dipper, busy with their characteristic antics—truly fascinating birds to watch.
Our final morning walk was thoroughly enjoyable, with notable species including Slaty Bunting, Daurian Redstart, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Rufous-faced Warbler, and a fantastic sighting of White-backed Woodpecker feeding in the open, much to the delight of the photographers.
We then said our goodbyes to this very special park and began our journey back to Chengdu, stopping in the old city for a delicious lunch. In the afternoon, a visit to Qinglong Lake rewarded us with sightings of Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Black-crowned Night Heron, Chinese Grosbeak, Common Moorhen, and Little Grebe—providing a few final lifers for China for the group.
We enjoyed a final meal together in the form of traditional Sichuan hot pot before heading to the airport for our international flights home.
To summarise our time in Sichuan, China, the tour exceeded my expectations twofold. We all knew it would be a great trip, but the incredible birding, mammal viewing, and scenery made it truly unforgettable. The photographic opportunities throughout added immense value to the experience.From the vast variety of partridges, pheasants, grouse, Phylloscopus warblers, rosefinches, laughingthrushes, and parrotbills, to monotypic species such as Przewalski’s Pinktail, and remarkable mammals including Blue Sheep, Tibetan Fox, Red Fox, Tibetan Gazelle, Chinese Goral, Reeves’s Muntjac, Masked Palm Civet, Northern Hog Badger, Malayan Porcupine, Asiatic Black Bear, Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, and the ever-charismatic Red Panda—this was undoubtedly one of the finest birding and wildlife tours in Asia. We also enjoyed breathtaking scenery, delicious cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and the occasional moment of downtime. As visitors, we were made to feel very welcome, with many locals greeting us in the best English they could manage. I would strongly encourage anyone with an interest in birds, wildlife, food, and culture to place China high on their list of destinations.
A special thank you goes to our local guiding team, who did an outstanding job throughout. It was a genuine pleasure to travel with you and to be so well looked after, ensuring an unforgettable experience. It was so great travelling with you all again and I had an absolute blast. Thanks, are also due to the Nature Travel Birding office team for organising such a well-run, meticulously planned journey and for all the effort that goes into making trips like this possible.
I look forward to welcoming my next guests to China to experience its extraordinary birds, wildlife, culture, and cuisine.