For our first Spanish Nature birding tour in China, we have chosen to visit the Sichuan Province.
Sichuan lies at the eastern edge of the Tibetan High Plateau and south of the Qinlin Mountain Range. There are about 650 species of birds recorded in Sichuan. Most are resident, some are summer visitors and some are migrants. Sichuan features 37 endemic bird species which comprises of almost two thirds of the endemic birds of the whole of China. Game birds and Laughing thrushes rank top of Sichuan’s "speciality" birds.

Not only does Sichuan offer the best opportunities for seeing China’s prime specialities, but due to the great diversity of its habitats, ranging from the subtropical lowlands of the Red Basin and rich evergreen foothill forests to cool temperate zone forests, alpine meadows and dramatic snow-capped mountain peaks, the province has a remarkable wealth of birds in general. Some important birding sites we will visit are:
The Transitional Zone: This is the borderland between the Sichuan Basin and the Tibetan High Plateau. Many nature reserves have been established here during the past 25 years. Here we will visit the Wolong area and Wawushan National Park. The Giant Panda Research Station in Wolong is still closed after the 2008 Earthquake.
High Mountain Ranges: We will visit, amongst others, Jiuzhaigou National Reserve and Mengbi mountain range which offer numerous bird species, especially in the vicinity of the Monasteries or Sacred mountains where the animal world is still totally unspoilt. Poachers do not dare to hunt and kill within these territories because of the religious consequences!
Grasslands of the Tibetan High Plateau: In general, many birds living within the grasslands depend on water and thus prefer areas with abundant water resources such as wetlands, marshlands or meandering streams. The most recommended site is the huge wetland in Ruoergai and Hong Yuan.

For those who want to take advantage of being in China to see some more of this very interesting Country, we have designed two very interesting extensions.

Pre - Extension - A concise 4 nights/5 days Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 - Tibet International Hotel Lhasa - Arrival by flight from Chengdu, birding around the hotel

Day 2 - Tibet International Hotel Lhasa - Birding Xiong Se Valley

Day 3 - Pe Ma Hotel at Dangxiong - Namtso Lake

Day 4 - Tibet International Hotel Lhasa- Birding and return to Lhasa

Day 5 - Departure to Chengdu

For full details ...

Main Tour - A concise 15 nights/16 days Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 - Jing Chuan Hotel Chengdu - Arrival in Chengdu

Day 2 - Wawu Shan Grand Hotel - Birding in Chengdu, Transfer to Wawu Mountains

Day 3 - Wawu Shan Grand Hotel - Birding on Summit (cable car).

Day 4 - Wawu Shan Grand Hotel - Birding in the area

Day 5 - New Siguniang Mountains Hotel Rilong - Birding and transfer to Rilong

Day 6 - New Siguniang Mountains Hotel Rilong - Birding to Balang Shan

Day 7 - New Siguniang Mountains Hotel Rilong - Birding to Balang Shan

Day 8 - Jiarong International Grand Hotel Maerkang - Birding and transfer to Maerkang

Day 9 - Jiarong International Grand Hotel Maerkang - Birding Mengbi Forest

Day 10 - Da Zang Sunshine Hotel Ruoergai - Birding and transfer to Ruoergai

Day 11 - Da Zang Sunshine Hotel Ruoergai - Baxi Forest and Flower Lake

Day 12 - Jiuzhaigou Grand Hotel - Birding and transfer to Jiuzhaigou

Day 13 - Jiuzhaigou Grand Hotel - Jiuzhaigou National Park

Day 14 - Jiuzhaigou Grand Hotel - Gonggangling Forest

Day 15 - Jing Chuan Hotel Chengdu - am departure to Chengdu or Xi'an

Day 16 - Departure home

Cultural - Extension - A concise 4 nights/5 days Itinerary at a glance

Day 1 - Bell Tower Hotel Xi'an - Flight from Jiuzhaigou to Xi'an, City Tour

Day 2 - Beijing Friendship Hotel - Visit Terrecotta Warriars, flight to Beijing

Day 3 - Beijing Friendship Hotel - Visit Summer Palace and Forbidden City

Day 4 - Beijing Friendship Hotel - Visit to Great Wall and Ming Tombs

Day 5 - Departure home

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