South China

South China tour covers four core southern provinces; Guangdong Province,Hainan Island, Guangxi province and Yunnan Province.

Guangdong, the ancient subtropical broadleaf forests of Nanling National Nature Reserve and the limestone karst gullies of Danxia Mountain converge to create a haven for rare species, while the meandering Bei River basin adds wetland diversity to the mix.

Guangxi dominated by karst peak forests, karst wetlands, and montane forests, it features intertwined habitats such as karst stone forests in Chongzuo, coastal wetlands in the Beibu Gulf, and subtropical alpine forests in Maoer Mountain. Beyond birds, it is the only habitat of the white-headed langur, a Guangxi-endemic primate that, together with avian species, forms a key part of the karst ecosystem’s biodiversity.

Hainan centered on tropical island landscapes, it includes primeval rainforests in Wuzhi Mountain and Jianfengling, mangrove wetlands in Dongzhaigang, and coastal tidal flats. Its unique and isolated ecosystems nurture a large number of endemic species, making it a vital habitat for China’s tropical and marine birds.

Yunnan characterized by vertical zonal landscapes spanning tropical rainforests in Xishuangbanna, alpine meadows in the Hengduan Mountains, and plateau lakes like Dianchi, it boasts China’s most diverse ecosystems. Besides rich birdlife, it is home to the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, a flagship species of the alpine coniferous forest ecosystem, highlighting the province’s exceptional cross-zonal biodiversity.

Key Rare Bird Species

Guangdong: Cabot’s Tragopan,White-necklaced partrigde, Silver Pheasant, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Gray-sided Scimitar Babbler,Red-billed Liothrix, Huet’s Fulvetta, Greater/Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrushes, Rufous-capped Babbler, Slay-backed Forktail,Towny Fish Owl, Chinese scaly-sided Merganser,Mandarine ducks

Hainan: Hainan Peacock-pheasant,Hainan partridge, Hainan leaf warbler, and Hainan Laughingthrush, all endemic or highly rare.if you plan time to visit the muddy flats: Spoon-billed Sandpiper( Seasonal,only in winter),black-faced spoonbill , another winter migratory rare species,etc.

Guangxi: Nonggang Babbler, Blue-rumped Pitta, lime-stone leaf warbler, Indo-chinese Green Magpie,etc.

Yunnan: Gray Peacock-Pheasant, Red-throated,White-cheeked, Hill Partridge, Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler, Gray-bellied Babbler, Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler,Brown-winged Parrotbill, Spot-winged, Blue-winged,Chestnut-crowned,Red-tailed,Biet’s Laughingthrush, Kaliji Pheasant，Mrs. hume’s Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant,etc.

In recent years, the birdwatching industry has flourished in these four provinces. Guided birdwatching tours, eco-lodges, and birdwatching related services have been developed, attracting domestic and international enthusiasts. This not only drives local tourism revenue but also promotes the development of supporting industries such as catering and transportation. More importantly, it raises local residents’ awareness of ecological protection, encouraging them to engage in eco-tourism services instead of activities that damage the environment, thus achieving a win-win situation of ecological conservation and economic growth.