Across-China tours are the most popular among twichers, birders are moving across the country for certains species at each spot.
Spanning from the mist-shrouded subtropical forests of southern Yunnan to the windswept alpine meadows of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, from the lush wetlands along the Yangtze River to the remote coniferous forests of northeastern Heilongjiang, China’s staggering ecological diversity offers a treasure trove of avian rarities.
These across-China tours aren’t just about ticking off lifers—they’re a deep dive into China’s unique landscapes, each stop offering a chance to encounter species that can’t be found anywhere else on the planet. For twitchers chasing that next rare bird, and birders seeking immersive, species-specific experiences, there’s no better way to explore China’s avian wonders than by moving across the country, one iconic birding spot at a time.
Overview
This spring tour begins with tracking the migrants on China’s eastern coast, travels across central China all the way to Sichuan in the west, and wraps up after birding there.
Trip Highlights
- Spring Migrants on China's Eastern Coast
- Eastern China Endemic Species
- Central China Highlight species
- All bird species in Sichuan Province
Itinerary
The tour starting from China's east coast, then move across China through central part and ended up in Sichuan
International flights arrival in Shanghai, then birding around Shanghai, Reed Parrotbill, Marsh Grassbird,Masked Laughingthrush,Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Thrushes,etc. Hotel locations will be determined by flight arrival times.
Drive along Jiangsu coast for Shorebirds and migrants: Warblers, Flycatchers, Thrushes, Vaders, Spoon-billed Sandpiper,Nordmann's Greenshank,Chinese egret, Black-faced Spoonbill,etc.
Transfer to Fuzhou by flying, Night in Fuzhou city.
Fuzhou National Forest Park Birding in the morning: White-necklaced Partridge, Silver Pheasant,Spotted Elachura,Red-billed Liothrix,Rufous-faced Warbler, Fork-tailed Sunbird,Grey-sided Simitar Babbler,Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, birding on the coast in search of the White-shouldered Starling, Chinese Crested Tern, etc, the activities will be determined by the tides time. night in Fuzhou.
Stop for Blyth’s Kingfisher on the way, Chinese Bamboo Partridge,Bay Woodpecker, Dusky Fulvetta,Huet’s Fulvetta,Rufous-capped Babbler, White-crowned,Slaty-backed, Little Forktail, night at Emeifeng.
Two full days at Emeifeng Nature Reserve: Cabot’s Tragopan,Elliot’s Pheasant,Silver Pheasant, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, White-necklaced Partridge,Koklass Pheasant,Moustached Laughingthrush,Buffy Laughingthrush, Indo-Chinese Yuhina,Black,Mountain Bulbuls,Sultan Tit, Yellow-cheeked Tit,Spotted, Slaty-backed, Little Forktails, Spotted Elachura,etc.
After another morning, drive to Wuyuan( 6 hrs), Night in Wuyuan.
Pied Falconet,Short-tailed Parrotbill, Chinese Hwamei,Green Shrike Babbler, Blue-crowned Laughingthrush,Long-billed Plover, Gray-sided Scimita Babbler,Huet's Fulvetta, Rufous-faced Warbler, Fork-tailed Sunbird, Moustauched Laughingthrush. Night in Wuyuan.
After a morning birding here, take the high-speed train to Xinyang city, drive to Dongzhai Nature Reserve.
Reeve’s Pheasant,Crested Ibiss,Fariy Pitta, Northern Boobook, Collared Crow, Japanese Scops Owl, Oriental Scops Owl, Silver-throated tit, yellow-bellied Tit,Crested Kingfisher,Masked Laughingthrush,Chestnut-winged Cuckoo, Amur Paradise-flycatcher, Brown-chested Jungle-flycatcher,etc.
Flying to Chengdu from nearby Wuhan airport, Check in hotel in Chengdu.
Drive 4 hours to Wuzhi Mountain at Tanshi Village- Sichuan Partridge,Lady Amherst’Pheasant,Teminck's Tragopan,Red-winged Laughingthrush, Buffy Laughingthrush,Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Silver Pheasant,etc. night at nearby town.
Golden Parrotbill, Ashy-throated Parrotbill,Spot-breasted Parrotbill,Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Slaty bunting,etc. night at the same hotel.
Birding in the morning at Longcanggou, then drive to Longcanggou National Forest Park( 4hrs),night at Longcanggou ecolodge.
Targeted on Streaked Barwing, Sichuan Bush Warbler,Gold-fronted Fulvetta, chances of Red Panda,etc. Night at the same ecolodge.
Another morning birding at Longcanggou, we then move Wawushan,the mountain boasts misty subtropical forests and bamboo groves—ideal habitats for Sichuan’s endemics. Key sightings include the vibrant Emei Shan Liocichla, Gray-hooded,Three-toed Parrotbill, and the rare Red Panda,etc. Night at Wawushan Mountain.
Grey-hooded, Fulvous,Golden,Three-toed, Brown,Great Parrotbills,Red-winged laughingthrush,Black-faced Laughingthrush,Grey-faced Liocichla,Grey-hooded Fulvetta,Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Sichuan Treecreeper,Golden Bush Robin,Dark-breasted Rosefinch,Emei Leaf Warbler, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, chances for Red Panda,etc.Night at the same hotel.
Chinese Monal, Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge,Himalayan Beautiful rosefinch,Chinese Fulvetta,Tibetan Snow Partridge, Tibetan Snowcock, Blood-Pheasant, White Eared Pheasant,White-winged Grosbeak,Vinaceous Rosefinch,Grandala,etc. Night at the same hotel.
White-throated Dipper,Golden Pheasant, Slaty Bunting,Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Chinese Babax, Elliot's Laughingthrush, Giant, Spotted, Barred laughingthrushes.etc. night at the same hotel.
Driving from Wolong Valley to Maerkang, we will drive over the top of Balang mountain again, stop for species we still need,some species possible on the way, Snow Pigeon,Hill Pigeon,Wallcreeper, then go on through another valley to Maerkang city, stay over night at Maerkang,birding around if time permits.
Three-Banded Rosefinch, Sichuan Jay, Crested Tit-warbler, Rufous-vented Tit, Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge,Blood Pheasant,Firethroat, Giant Laughingthrush,White-browed Bush Robin,White-browed Rosefinch,Grey-headed Bullfinch,Stay at the same hotel
Today,we drive out the the city anad go higer to the Tibetan Plateau, you can see habitats changing while we go higher, we may stop randomly whereever we saw birds or need rest stops, birding along the way, Pere David’s Laughinthrush, Hill Pigeon, White-browed Tit-Warbler,White-browed Tit,Giant Shrike, Saker Falcon,Przevalski's Pintail,etc. Night at Ruoergain.
In the morning, we will visit some forested area, in search of Blue Eared Pheasant, Snowy-browed Laughingthrush, Sichuan Jay, Pere David’s Owl, Crested Tit-Warbler, Chinese Grouse,Spectacled Parrotbill, Giant Laughinthrush,White-bellied Redstart,etc. in the afternoon, we go for the Grassland and Wetland birding,snowfinches,Ground Tit,Larks,Black-necked Crane,Red-crested Porchard,Bar-headed Goose,etc. Night at the same hotel
Another morning at Ruoergai,looking for species we may still missing, we then drive towards Jiuzhaigou Valley, looking for the Pere David's Tit,over night at Jiuzhaigou County.
In the morning, we go visit the famous unique monkey species: Golden snub-nosed Monkey(Rhinopithecus roxellana), a new nature reserve is now open to the public,we should take the chance to visit this very unique speices. then drive to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, reach there in the late afternoon.
Tangjiahe is a biodiversity hotspot boasting over 327 bird and 47 mammal species. It shelters iconic national first-class protected species like Giant Pandas, Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, Sichuan Takin, and Chinese Monals. The reserve’s mixed forests and valleys also support Red Pandas, Clouded Leopards, Temminck’s Tragopans, and numerous endemic babblers, making it a premier destination for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists alike. Golden Pheasant,Tawny Fish Owl,,White-throated Laughingthrush,Zappey's Flycatcher,etc,Mammal species possible:Forest Musk Deer,Clouded Leopard,Tibetan Macaque,Rhesus Macaque,Asian Black Bear, Leopard Cat,Tufted Deer,Chinese Goral,Chinese Serow,Bharal,Reeves's Muntjac,etc.
Another morning at Tangjiahe Nature reserve, drive back for departure( 4.5hrs), evening flight back home from Chengdu. Tour ends.
Includes/Excludes
Cost Includes
- All Meals – Local cuisine served at authentic local restaurants
- Accommodation – Premium-standard hotels in urban areas; the best available local hotels near birdwatching sites
- All Local Ground Transportation – Daily-use private car/van, transfers; high-speed trains or flights (where required for the trip) will be arranged via the most convenient routes
- Professional Birding Guide – English-speaking specialist accompanying the group throughout the entire trip
- All Entrance Fees – Covering all birdwatching sites and scenic spots included in the itinerary
- Daily Refreshments – Complimentary drinking water, tea, coffee, and fresh fruits
Cost Excludes
- International/Domestic Flights – Arrival flights to the tour’s starting city(Shanghai) and departure flights from the tour’s concluding city (Chengdu)
- Alcoholic Beverages – All alcoholic drinks
- Travel Insurance – Comprehensive travel insurance coverage (including trip cancellation, medical, and personal accident insurance)
- Service Gratuities – Tips for the birding guide and drivers (a suggested daily gratuity amount will be provided based on the size of the group)











