15 Days Sichuan Spring Birding Tour
Located in southwestern China along the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, Sichuan Province spans 486,000 square kilometers and is home to over 90 million people. Geographically, the province is divided into three main regions: the Sichuan Basin in the central and eastern areas, the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the west and north, and the southern hilly regions. The western part of Sichuan features dramatic landscapes shaped by the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Hengduan Mountain Ranges, while the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau lies to the south and the Qinling-Daba Mountain Ranges to the north.
Sichuan’s diverse topography and climate support an exceptional variety of flora and fauna, including numerous rare and endemic species. Over 750 bird species have been recorded in the province. Often referred to as the “Kingdom of Pheasants”, Sichuan hosts 23 species of Galliformes, roughly 35% of China’s total, with 10 of these being endemic.
This 15-day itinerary, scheduled in Spring, takes advantage of the season’s unique benefits: mammals are more active and easier to observe, and some of the high-elevation bird species move to lower altitudes, providing better chances for observation. The trip covers a wide range of habitats, visiting celebrated sites such as Yibin, Wawu Mountain, Yajiang, Jingtang, Miansi, and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve.
This journey highlights China’s endemic and range-restricted species in the spring season, offering excellent opportunities to observe rare and localized birds—not only elusive pheasants, parrotbills, and rosefinches, but also remarkable mammals such as Red Panda, Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, Hog Badger, Takin, Tibetan Macaque, Reeves’ Muntjac, Chinese Goral, Tufted Deer, and Sambar. In addition to wildlife, travelers will enjoy breathtaking landscapes and the rich cultural heritage of Sichuan’s ethnic minority communities.
Sichuan’s diverse topography and climate support an exceptional variety of flora and fauna, including numerous rare and endemic species. Over 750 bird species have been recorded in the province. Often referred to as the “Kingdom of Pheasants”, Sichuan hosts 23 species of Galliformes, roughly 35% of China’s total, with 10 of these being endemic.
This 15-day itinerary, scheduled in Spring, takes advantage of the season’s unique benefits: mammals are more active and easier to observe, and some of the high-elevation bird species move to lower altitudes, providing better chances for observation. The trip covers a wide range of habitats, visiting celebrated sites such as Yibin, Wawu Mountain, Yajiang, Jingtang, Miansi, and Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve.
This journey highlights China’s endemic and range-restricted species in the spring season, offering excellent opportunities to observe rare and localized birds—not only elusive pheasants, parrotbills, and rosefinches, but also remarkable mammals such as Red Panda, Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, Hog Badger, Takin, Tibetan Macaque, Reeves’ Muntjac, Chinese Goral, Tufted Deer, and Sambar. In addition to wildlife, travelers will enjoy breathtaking landscapes and the rich cultural heritage of Sichuan’s ethnic minority communities.
Tour Info Sheet
| Highlight Birds | Chinese Monal, Snow Partridge, Sichuan Partridge, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Golden Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Buff-throated Monel Partridge, Blood Pheasant, White-eared Pheasant, Temminck's Tragopan, Tawny Fish Owl, Himalayan Owl, Emei Shan Liocichla, Red-billed Leiothrix, Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Grey-hooded Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Golden Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill, Three-toed Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-browed Bush Robin, Golden Bush Robin, Rusty Laughingthrush, Red-winged Laughingthruhrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Elliot's Laughingthrush, Barred Laughingthrush, Chinese Babax, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Hodgson's Treecreeper, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Sharpe's Rosefinch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, etc. |
|---|---|
| Number of Species to Expected | 130-180 |
| Ease of Birding | mostly easy birding with a few tricky species |
| Highlight Mammals | Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, Takin, Tibetan Macaque, Reeves’ Montjac, Chinese Goral |
| Other Attractions | Tibetan culture, wild panda habitat, delicate food |
| Photography opportunities | Birding focused but with very good photography chances |
| Habitats Covered | subtropical forests, woodlands, snow mountains |
| Expected Climate | mostly comfortable, windy and cold on snow mountains, rain is possible |
| Physical Requirements | mostly easy, demanding but optional on certain parts |
| Accommodation | comfortable |
| Transportation | 19-seat van |
What makes this trip irreplaceable?
1. The combination of our experienced western guides and local guides ensure your needs are well met.
2. We run the trip in the best season. Not only birds are in the breeding season, but all the destinations have the most beautiful sceneries in this season.
3. Small groups with more flexibility. The group is limited to 8 so that we can maximize the chances of each participant. Besides, we can use a smaller and convenient van compare with big groups.
4. This trip covers the most popular and classic birding sites of Sichuan.
5. Explore the Tibetan areas of Sichuan to see some plateau specials.
6. We have been a reliable local partner for some western birding and wildlife companies for many decades.
7. We have a strong logistic team to ensure your trip goes smoothly and ensures you a comfortable and enjoyable journey.
Gallery
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Booking State | Price | Single Supplement | Group Size | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 31-April 14, 2026 | Open to Booking | 3, 480USD/pax | 430USD/pax | 8 | Local Guide |
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The cost includes the following:
1. Service of an English-speaking bird guide throughout the whole trip.
2. Private transportation throughout the trip, including airport pickup and drop-off at Chengdu airports.
3. Hotel stays from the first night to the last night, two people occupy one twin-bed room on a sharing basis at nice 3 or 4-star hotels in cities and local best guesthouses in remote areas.
4. Meals at local popular restaurants from dinner on the first day through breakfast on the last day. Picnic lunches when needed.
5. Simple western breakfast whenever possible.
6. All the entrance tickets for places listed in the itinerary include birding hides and shuttle buses.
7. Bottled water and snacks throughout the trip.
8. China domestic travel insurance.
9. Service of all logistic supports.
The cost does not include the following:
1. Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages during meals.
2. Extra charges are due to changes in the itinerary from the client side or factors beyond the control of AlpineBirding, such as natural disasters and governmental policy changes.
3. Discretionary tips to local guides and drivers.
4. All personal expenses, such as laundry service.
5. Airfare to the place where our trip starts and from the place where our trip ends.
6. Service fees and commission fees that are charged by banks and other third-party companies while making the trip payment to AlpineBirding’s banking and financial accounts.
7. Any program not listed in the itinerary.
Itinerary
Tour Map
Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu (~500m).
On the first day of the tour, a private guide or driver will meet you once you arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu Airport or Tianfu International Airport. After meeting our guide and driver, you will be transferred to the downtown hotel for a one-night stay. For early arrivals, we will go for a relaxing birding at a local park near the hotel.
Day 2: Chengdu to Yibin (4hrs, ~500m).
We will have a short visit to the Chengdu Botanical Garden before we start our long drive to Yibin. Chengdu Botanical Garden is considered one of the best city parks for birding due to its big diversity of flora and high forest coverage. We can find some urban and special resident birds here, including Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Chinese Bulbul, White-browed Laughingthrush, Red-billed Leiothrix, Japanese White-eye, Chinese Blackbird, Chinese Grosbeak, Collared Finchbill, Long-tailed Shrike, Fork-tailed Sunbird, Hoopoe, etc.
Followed the exploration, we will complete a fairly long (around 6 hours) journey to Tangjiahe. By the time we arrive, it should be around sunset time, when animals normally come down close to the river-side meadow for water and salt. We will likely encounter our first Takin. Besides, Reeves’ Muntjac and Masked Civet are relatively easy and often found by the road. By contrast, although the elusive Leopard Cat is also active at night, but is not so easy to see it. We will continue our search in the coming days and prioritize spotting all of the species here.
Day 3: Yibin (500-1600m).
Spending the full day in serval birding hides in Yibin. Tanshi Village in Yibin has a wonderful low-altitude forest. In recent years, with the support of the local government, residents have built several bird hides, providing food and water to attract birds for birds and photographers. These birding hides have become a haven for some rare bird species that are really hard to find in the wild, such as Sichuan Partridge, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Temminck's Tragopan, Emei Shan Liocichla, Red-billed Leiothrix, Golden Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rusty Laughingthrush, Red-billed Blue Magpie, etc.
Day 4: Yibin to Wawu Mountain (4hrs, 500-1900m).
This morning, we will have chances to try for some key species we may still need to find before driving to Wawu Mountain.
Day 5: Wawu Mountain (1900-2600m).Gonggangling.
Wawu Mountain is not just a popular tourist site, it is by far an unmissable birding spot to look for parrotbills, fulvettas, laughingthrushes, and warbler in China. Besides, it is by now the best place to search for Red Panda in the wild. We will spend one full day here at different elevation searching for the highlight birds like Temminck’s Tragopan, Himalayan Owl, Emei Shan Liocichla, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Grey-hooded Fulvetta, Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Grey-hooded Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Golden Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill, Three-toed Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Red-winged Laughingthruhrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Elliot's Laughingthrush, Hwamei, Hodgson's Treecreeper, Sichuan Treecreeper, Sichuan Thrush, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Lesser Cuckoo, Himalayan Cuckoo, White-throated Needletail, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Sharpe's Rosefinch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Red Crossbill, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Coal Tit, Spotted Bush Warbler, Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Ashy-throated Warbler, Buff-barred Warbler, Hume's Leaf Warbler, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Claudia's Leaf Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Buff-throated Warbler, Bianchi's Warbler, Martens's Warbler, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, White-browed Bush Robin, Golden Bush Robin, etc.
Day 6: Wawu Mountain to Yajiang (6.5hrs, 1900-2600m).
This morning, we will have a final chance to search for any key species we may still be missing before embarking on the relatively long drive to Yajiang.
Day 7: Yajiang to Kangding (4hrs, 3700-2500m).
We will drive to a nearby mountain in the early morning, where a Tibetan monastery sits atop the peak. Buddhism has long been an integral part of local Tibetan life, fostering a deep respect for all living beings and encouraging people to treat wildlife as equals to humans. This belief has transformed the area into a paradise for wildlife and an ideal destination for birding, as the birds here are unafraid of human presence. We will have excellent opportunities to spot species such as Buff-throated Partridge, Blood Pheasant, White-eared Pheasant, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Yunnan Nuthatch, Black-browed Tit, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Grey-backed Shrike, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, Pink-rumped Rosefinch, and White-backed Thrush. After exploring Yajiang, we will continue our journey to Kangding.
Day 8: Kangding to Jintang (4hrs, 2500-3500m).
We will spend the morning in a hide in Kangding, photographing species such as Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Barred Laughingthrush, Chinese Babax, White-collared Yuhina, Black-browed Tit, and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler. Afterwards, we will continue our drive to Jintang.
Day 9: Jintang (3500-4800m).
We will spend the day birding at this fascinating site, visiting a hide and exploring the surrounding areas in search of species such as the endemic Chinese Monal, Snow Partridge, Blood Pheasant, White-eared Pheasant, Snow Pigeon, Himalayan Griffon, Sichuan Tit, Brown Dipper, and Chinese White-browed Rosefinch.
Day 10: Jintang to Miansi (5.5hrs, 3800-1300m).
We will depart from Jintang and drive to Miansi. Upon arrival, we will spend the afternoon at a bird hide, waiting for the Golden Pheasant to appear.
Day 11: Miansi to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve(5hrs,1300-1500m).
This morning, we will make a long journey of around five hours to Tangjiahe. Along the way, we will stop at a small ancient village and its local market to stretch our legs and admire the beautiful architecture. Once we pass the entrance to the reserve, we will begin our search for wildlife. Our conveniently located hotel inside the national park will give us ample time to explore the reserve during the golden hours of early morning and late afternoon.
Day 12: Tangjiahe (~1500m).
Tangjiahe is one of China's best places to search for mammals and birds. We will explore this site from morning to dusk to make the best use of our time. We can expect some fascinating species like the Golden Pheasant, Tawny Fish Owl, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Sichuan Treecreeper, Pacific Swift, Brown Dipper, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Bulbul, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Spectacled Fulvetta, Sooty Bushtit, Crested Kingfisher, Little Forktail, White-crowned Forktail, Blue Rock Thrush, White-collared Yuhina, Slaty Bunting, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, etc.
Mammals are also very productive here especially in this season. We may see a Takin pop out and across the road in front of us. Some species like the Tibetan Macaque, the elusive Yellow-throated Marten, and Reeves’Montjac like wandering along the riverside, while the Chinese Goral is usually spotted on the cliff. Some species like Chinese Serow, Tufted Deer, and Asiatic Black Bear are shyer and require more effort and luck.
Day 13: Tangjiahe to Pingwu (2.5hrs,1500-1200m).
We will spend most of the day exploring Tangjiahe before driving to Pingwu in the afternoon.
Day 14: Pingwu to Chengdu (5hrs,1900-500m).Erlang Mountain.
We will depart early to visit the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Park, spending the morning photographing these remarkable primates and searching for birds such as Green Shrike-Babbler, Red-billed Blue-Magpie, Spectacled Fulvetta, Elliot’s Laughingthrush, Sichuan Treecreeper, White-crowned Forktail, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, and Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird. Afterwards, we will drive back to Chengdu Tianfu Airport.
Day 15: Departure From Chengdu (~500m).
Walk 5 minutes to the airport and depart from Chengdu by yourself, AlpineBirding service ends.
Guide(s)
We will arrange one of our best local guides for this trip who has rich experience of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides in and around this area.
Shay Xie
Shay is among the first group of professional bird guides with the academic background of ornithology. He spent his childhood in a small county of Chongqing municipality where is the eastern edge of Daba mountains. Being brought up in a beautiful natural environment and surrounded by beautiful nature creatures, Shay has developed a strong interest in nature and birds since he was a small kid. Following the call from his inner heart, he chose to study ecology as his major when he was admitted to Sichuan University. The campus of Sichuan University itself is one of the most famous birding sites in Sichuan and he spent most of his afterschool time birding there. Since that time he started working as a part-time bird guide. After four years of academic study in the university and birding on the campus, he recorded many rare bird species including Blackthroat and Firethroat in Chengdu. Before he joined AlpineBirding, he worked as a professional freelancer bird guide and often participated in some special surveys on birds and mammals in southwestern China. These experiences form fields that have greatly enriched his knowledge of birds and nature. By now, he has successfully guided many avid birders from different countries including Norway, Britain, US, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, Israel, etc. Now working as a full-time bird guide in AlpineBirding, Shay will do his best to create your best birding experiences in China with his experiences, knowledge and passion.
Alice Liu
Alice is an experienced bird and wildlife guide specializing in Southwestern China, particularly Yunnan Province. Her passion for nature began at a young age, sparked by a deep interest in mammals and mushrooms. In 2008, she expanded her fascination to the world of birds and has been an avid birdwacher ever since.
