Located on the western edge of Yunnan Province, the Gaoligong Mountains form the southernmost part of the Hengduan Mountain Range. The elevation here rises dramatically from 650 meters at the base to 5,128 meters at the summit. With seven distinct vegetation zones, the Gaoligong Mountains have been recognized by Conservation International as one of the world’s 36 biodiversity hotspots. To date, around 525 bird species have been recorded in this region—accounting for 43.3% of Yunnan’s total—with approximately 40 species listed as nationally protected and endangered.

We will spend two full days exploring a variety of habitats in search of birds. Some species typically forage on the ground, such as Silver Pheasant, Hill Partridge, Mountain Bamboo Partridge, Rufous-throated Partridge, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush, Blue-winged Laughingthrush, Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Grey-winged Blackbird, Long-tailed Thrush, Wedge-billed Wren Babbler, Grey-bellied Tesia, Slaty-bellied Tesia, and Chestnut-headed Tesia.

While exploring the dense virgin forests, we’ll also be looking for canopy and midstory species such as Himalayan Cutia, Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Great Barbet, Golden-throated Barbet, Blue-throated Barbet, Broad-billed Warbler, Bay Woodpecker, Greater Yellownape, Red-tailed Minla, Scarlet Finch, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Whiskered Yuhina, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Striated Bulbul, Flavescent Bulbul, Beautiful Sibia, Long-tailed Sibia, Large Niltava, Rufous-bellied Niltava, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Rusty-fronted Barwing, Short-billed Minivet, Scarlet Minivet, and Yellow-cheeked Tit.

In addition, the area is home to a number of dazzling sunbirds, including Fire-tailed Sunbird, Black-throated Sunbird, Mrs. Gould's Sunbird, and Green-tailed Sunbird.

In the morning, we will drive to Laifengshan Mountain, the largest park in the city, to continue our birding. Here, we will search for species such as Black-breasted Thrush, Brown-winged Parrotbill, Slender-billed Oriole, and Maroon Oriole. Afterward, we will drive for about one and a half hours to Yingjiang. Upon arrival, we’ll visit the Dayingjiang River, where we can look for a variety of species including Indian Spot-billed Duck, Small Pratincole, River Lapwing, Little Ringed Plover, Temminck's Stint, Coppersmith Barbet, Rufescent Prinia, Grey-breasted Prinia, Grey-throated Martin, Asian Barred Owlet, Dusky Warbler, Collared Myna, Great Myna, Citrine Wagtail, Paddyfield Pipit, and Little Bunting.