Birding China: Sichuan endemics and Yellow Sea coast in 14 days

Day by day

1. Day 1 · chengdu

   Arrive Chengdu

   Fly into Chengdu. The Giant Panda Research Base is visible from the airport road and makes sense as an afternoon stop — Giant Pandas being, technically, a wildlife sighting. Evening gear check and guide briefing.

2. Day 2 · wolong

   Drive to Wolong — Balang Mountain base

   Pre-dawn departure for Wolong Nature Reserve (approximately 3 hours). The Wolong panda centre is a secondary objective; the primary targets are Spotted Nutcracker, Tibetan Snowcock, Snow Partridge, and various rosefinches on the slopes above 3,500 metres. Camp or guesthouse at the reserve.

   Attractions: sichuan-giant-panda-sanctuaries

3. Day 3 · wolong

   Wolong — upper valley birding

   Full day in the upper Pitiao River valley. Key species include Blood Pheasant, Sichuan Jay, White-eared Pheasant, and Ludlow's Fulvetta. The meadows above 3,800 metres are productive for ground-dwellers. Return to the guesthouse by dusk.

4. Day 4 · kangding

   Balang Pass and drive to Xinduqiao

   Cross Balang Pass (4,487 m) — one of the most reliably productive high-altitude passes in China. Golden-breasted Fulvetta, White-rumped Snowfinch, and Tibetan Snowcock are regular. Descend to Xinduqiao (2,900 m), a grassland basin used by photographers and birders.

   Attractions: xinduqiao-grasslands

5. Day 5 · kangding

   Xinduqiao grasslands — endemic pheasants

   Pre-dawn walks in the grassland margins for Chinese Monal and Temminck's Tragopan (seasonal). The Xinduqiao area also provides Red-headed Vulture, Lammergeier, and assorted raptors riding thermals by mid-morning. Afternoon at Kangding town, 60 km east.

6. Day 6 · songpan

   Drive north to Songpan — Jiuzhaigou approach

   Long drive north through the Sichuan highlands to Songpan (approximately 5–6 hours). The roadside willows and riverside alders between Barkam and Songpan are productive for flycatchers, warblers, and buntings in season. Overnight at Songpan.

   Attractions: songpan-old-town

7. Day 7 · songpan

   Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou approach

   Morning at Huanglong scenic area — the travertine pools at 3,500 metres are a secondary wildlife draw but the alpine meadows around them hold Snow Partridge and several rosefinch species. Afternoon drive to the Jiuzhaigou access area.

   Attractions: huanglong, jiuzhaigou-valley

8. Day 8 · chengdu

   Jiuzhaigou valley birding, fly to Shanghai

   Early morning in the valley for Red-tailed Laughingthrush and Chinese Babax. The valley itself has shuttle buses which limit access; birders usually work the forest edges near the entrance before crowds. Afternoon flight from Jiuzhaigou Airport to Shanghai Pudong.

9. Day 9 · shanghai

   Shanghai — overnight to Yancheng coast

   Arrive Shanghai Pudong. The Nanhui foreshore (40 km south of central Shanghai) is a migrant trap in spring and autumn — a morning's birding can yield 30+ species of waders. Evening high-speed rail or coach to Yancheng, 2.5 hours north of Shanghai.

10. Day 10 · yancheng

    Arrive Yancheng — National Nature Reserve briefing

    The Yancheng Nature Reserve (Jiangsu Yancheng Wetland and Marine National Nature Reserve) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries Along the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf Coast. Check in at the reserve visitor centre for current access conditions and ranger contact.

    Attractions: migratory-bird-sanctuaries-yellow-sea, china-yellow-sea-coast-phase-ii

11. Day 11 · yancheng

    Yancheng — tidal mudflats and crane roost

    High tide focuses waders onto accessible areas — go out at low tide and wait. Red-necked Stints, Dunlins, and Bar-tailed Godwits congregate in extraordinary numbers in spring. The Milu deer (Père David's Deer) reserve is within the same wetland complex. Evening for crane roost watching — Red-crowned and White-naped Cranes are both present in season.

12. Day 12 · nanjing

    Yancheng — spoonbill and raptor survey

    Black-faced Spoonbill staging areas shift with tidal cycles — the reserve staff can advise on current hotspots. Raptors are reliable: Eastern Marsh Harrier, Chinese Sparrowhawk, and Pied Harrier are all possible. Full day in the reserve.

13. Day 13 · nanjing

    Nanjing detour — Purple Mountain birding

    High-speed rail Yancheng to Nanjing: approximately 1.5 hours. The Zijin Mountain (Purple Mountain) forests east of the city are a good contrast — resident woodland species including Chinese Nuthatch, Puff-throated Babbler, and various tits. Afternoon recovery walk along the Xuanwu Lake shore.

14. Day 14 · shanghai

    Return to Shanghai — depart

    High-speed rail Nanjing to Shanghai Hongqiao: 1 hour 10 minutes. Pudong departure in the afternoon or evening. Optional final morning birdwatching at Nanhui beach if the timing allows.

Budget guide (CNY per day)

Local birding guides in western Sichuan typically charge CNY 500–1000/day; Yancheng reserve permits may require a separate fee. Budget excludes one domestic flight.