Sichuan Birding Tours, China

Temminck’s Tragopan on Sichuan Birding Tour in China with Summer Wong China Bird Tours — Temminck’s Tragopan © Summer Wong

Best of Sichuan Birding Tour — 20 Days

Tour Overview

Our Best of Sichuan Birding Tour is built on many years of guiding experience across this exceptionally bird-rich region of China. Sichuan is widely regarded as one of the best birding regions in China, and this 20-day itinerary offers birders a chance to explore some of the most diverse and productive habitats in the entire country. Over the course of the tour, we will visit prime birding areas — city parks, bamboo and broadleaf forests, mossy conifer slopes, and the high Tibetan Plateau — aiming to find as many of Sichuan’s endemic and near-endemic species as possible, with around 300 bird species typically recorded on this trip.

Expect spectacular scenery, excellent photographic opportunities, and the chance to encounter iconic mammals such as the Red Panda. This tour blends outstanding birdwatching, magnificent landscapes, and the unforgettable flavors of world-famous Sichuan cuisine, making it one of the most rewarding China birding tours available today.

Tour Highlights

Expert-guided birding across Sichuan’s top sites
Over 15 pheasant species targeted, including Chinese Monal, Temminck’s Tragopan, and Golden Pheasant
Rich diversity of parrotbills, laughingthrushes, and breeding migrants such as flycatchers, robins, and warblers
High-altitude plateau specialties including Przevalski’s Finch, Ground Tit, Tibetan Lark, and Black-necked Crane
Opportunities for close-up pheasant photography from hides at selected sites

Tour Schedule & Departure Dates

2026 April 27-May 16 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , scheduled tour, group limit : 9-10 pax, cost: 3950 USD tour is full

2026 May 19-June 7 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , scheduled tour, group limit : 9-10 pax, cost: 3950 USD, tour is full

2026 May 20-June 8 (20 days) Bird guide : Wenbin Wang , scheduled tour, group limit : 9-10 pax, cost: 3400 USD

2026 June 10-June 29 (20 days) Bird guide: Summer Wong , private tour, tour is full

2027 April 28-May 17 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , private tour, tour is full

2027 May 19-June 7 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , scheduled tour, group limit : 9-10 pax, cost: 4300 USD, tour is full

2027 June 9-June 28 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , scheduled tour, group limit : 9-10 pax, cost: 4300 USD

2028 April 28-May 17 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , scheduled tour, group limit : 9-10 pax, cost: 4300 USD

2028 May 19-June 7 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , private tour, tour is full

2028 June 9-June 28 (20 days) Bird guide : Summer Wong , scheduled tour, group limit : 9-10 pax, cost: 4300 USD

Besides our scheduled and private tours, we also offer budget-friendly birding tours. If you are an international birding company looking for a reliable ground operator in China, please feel free to contact us for rates and further details.

Deposit : USD 500 per person

Single Room Supplement (19 nights) : USD 600 per person

Tour Cost Includes:

All ground transportation by private car/van/coach
Accommodation in twin-share or single rooms, all with private facilities
All meals (including daily bottled water, packed breakfasts, and lunches/dinners mostly at local restaurants)
All necessary entrance tickets, hide fees, cable car/shuttle bus fees on tour and nature reserve permits
Guide/driver’s meals, accommodation, and service fees

Tour Cost Excludes:

International and domestic flights
Visa and Travel insurance
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
Tips for local staff

Scroll down to check out the itinerary, map, photos of hotel, food & vehicle, plus birds, mammals, and stunning scenery

Detailed Daily Itinerary & Highlight Birds

Day 1 (Arrival Day) — Chengdu
Chengdu TFU / CTU airport pickup and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight: Chengdu

Day 2 — Chengdu park (AM) → Tangjiahe (PM)
Morning park birding in Chengdu, after lunch then drive to Tangjiahe.

Chengdu Highlight birds: Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Chinese Grosbeak, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Tiger Shrike, White-browed Laughingthrush, Chinese Blackbird, Chinese Bulbul, possible Swinhoe’s Minivet.
Tangjiahe highlights: Golden Pheasant, Slaty Bunting, Tawny Fish Owl, Brown Dipper, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Alström’s Warbler, Little Forktail, Spot-breasted Parrotbill, Zappey’s Flycatcher. Mammals: Takin, Tufted Deer, Reeve’s Muntjac, Chinese Goral, Yellow-throated Marten, (rare) Black Bear.
Overnight: Tangjiahe

Day 3 — Tangjiahe (AM) → Drive with roadside birding → Chuanzhusi (PM)
Morning birding in Tangjiahe; drive west with stops for woodland and roadside species.
En-route highlights: Zappey’s Flycatcher, Spectacled Fulvetta, Spot-breasted Parrotbill.
Chuanzhusi approach: Begin searching for montane targets.
Overnight: Chuanzhusi

Day 4 — Chuanzhusi (AM) →Drive to Ruoergai (PM)
Early forest and ridgeline birding in Chuanzhusi before a northward drive to Ruoergai.
Chuanzhusi highlights: Tibetan Snowcock, Blue-eared Pheasant, Grandala, Siberian Rubythroat, Chinese Rubythroat, White-bellied Redstart, Red-fronted Rosefinch, Streaked Rosefinch, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Crested Tit-Warbler, White-browed Tit, Salim Ali’s Swift.
Overnight: Ruoergai

Days 5–6 — Ruoergai area (Baxi forest & Flower Lake)
Two full days split between montane Baxi forest and the high grasslands/Flower Lake wetlands.
Baxi forest highlights: Blue-eared Pheasant, Chinese Grouse, Blood Pheasant, Snowy-cheeked and Plain/Pere David’s Laughingthrush, Giant Laughingthrush, Sichuan Jay, Spectacled Parrotbill, Crested Tit-Warbler, Chinese Fulvetta, Three-banded & Long-tailed Rosefinches, Przevalski’s Nuthatch, Chinese Nuthatch, Sichuan Tit, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Siberian Rubythroat.
Flower Lake / plateau highlights: Black-necked Crane, Ground Tit, Tibetan Lark, Horned Lark, White-rumped & Rufous-necked Snowfinches, Little Owl, Saker Falcon. Mammals: Tibetan Fox, Tibetan Gazelle, Plateau Pika, Himalayan Marmot.
Overnight: Ruoergai

Day 7 — Ruoergai → Maerkang (drive; birding en route)
Drive south toward Maerkang with specific stops to search for plateau specialties.
Highlights en route: Przevalski’s Finch (Pinktail), White-browed Tit, White-browed Tit Warbler, Giant Grey Shrike, Tibetan Partridge, Pale Martin, Little Owl, occasional Eagle Owl.
Overnight: Maerkang

Day 8 — Mengbishan (AM) → Drive to Wolong (PM)
Morning birding in Mengbishan’s pine-fir forests, then travel to Wolong with roadside stops.
Mengbishan highlights: Verreaux’s (Chestnut-throated) Monal-Partridge, Blood Pheasant, Sichuan Jay, Crested Tit-Warbler, Three-banded Rosefinch, Chinese Fulvetta, Przevalski’s Nuthatch, Maroon-backed Accentor, Giant Laughingthrush, Pink-rumped & Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinches.
En-route to Wolong: Watch for Wallcreeper on cliffs, Eurasian Crag Martin, Hill Pigeon, Salim Ali’s Swift, Long-tailed Rosefinch.
Overnight: Wolong

Day 9 — Full day Balangshan (Wolong base)
Full day on Balangshan rim and slopes for high-altitude species.
Balangshan Highlights: Chinese Monal, Golden Pheasant, White-eared Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Koklass Pheasant, Sichuan Forest Thrush, Sharpe’s/Dark-breasted/Dark-rumped Rosefinches, Crimson-browed Finch, Slaty Bunting, Chinese Babax, Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler, Indian Blue Robin, Rosy Pipit, Buff-barred & Sichuan Leaf Warblers.
Overnight: Wolong

Day 10 — Half day Balangshan → Drive to Labahe (4–5 hrs)
Morning follow-up in Balangshan then transfer to Labahe.
Labahe approach highlights: Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Temminck’s Tragopan (possible), Chinese Monal, Pere David’s Tit, Fire-capped Tit, local parrotbills and breeding warblers.
Overnight: Labahe

Day 11 — Half day Labahe → Drive to Kangding, Lianghekou Village (4–5 hrs)
Morning birding in Labahe, then drive toward Kangding (Lianghekou Village) in the afternoon/evening.
Labahe highlights: Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Brown / Chestnut-crowned / Spotted / Grey-sided / Aberrant Bush Warblers, Fire-capped Tit, Fulvous Parrotbill, Sichuan Treecreeper.
Overnight: Kangding

Day 12 — Kangding (AM) → Drive to Hailuogou (PM)
Early morning visit for photographic Chinese Monal (best local spot), then transfer toward Hailuogou.
Kangding highlight: Chinese Monal, White-eared Pheasant, Snow Partridge, Golden Bush Robin, Sharpe’s Rosefinch, occasional Grandala.
Overnight: Hailuogou

Day 13 — Full day Hailuogou
Full day in the Hailuogou National Park exploring montane and valley forest.
Highlights: Pere David’s Tit, Fire-capped Tit, Streaked Barwing, Scaly-breasted Cupwing (Chinese Cupwing), Sichuan Treecreeper, Himalayan Shortwing, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Blue-fronted Robin, Collared Grosbeak.
Overnight: Hailuogou

Day 14 — Erlangshan (AM) → Drive to Longcanggou (3–4 hrs)
Morning birding at Erlangshan for its specialties, then transfer to Longcanggou.
Erlangshan highlights: Firethroat, Rufous-tailed (Moupinia) Babbler, Barred Laughingthrush, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Sharpe’s Rosefinch, Yellow-throated Bunting, Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird.
Overnight: Longcanggou

Day 15 — Half day Longcanggou → Drive to Wawushan
Morning in Longcanggou, then drive south to Wawushan.
Longcanggou highlights: Gold-fronted Fulvetta, Sichuan Bush Warbler, Chinese Blue Flycatcher, Golden Parrotbill, White-backed & Bay Woodpeckers, Brown Dipper, Emei Leaf Warbler, Grey-crowned Warbler.
Overnight: Wawushan

Day 16 — Full day Wawushan
Full exploration of Wawu Shan’s bamboo forests and boardwalks.
Highlights: Parrotbill diversity (Grey-hooded, Brown, Great, Three-toed, Fulvous, Golden, Ashy-throated), Crimson-breasted & Darjeeling Woodpeckers, Three-toed Woodpecker, Sichuan Forest Thrush, Emei Shan Liocichla, Spotted & Red-winged Laughingthrushes, Wedge-tailed Green Pigeon, White-throated Needletail, Bianchi’s / Marten’s / Alström’s Warblers, and Red Panda!
Overnight: Wawushan

Day 17 — Half day Wawushan → Drive to Pingshan (Tanshi Village)
Finish missed targets in Wawushan then transfer to Pingshan.
Approach to Pingshan highlights: prepare for pheasant hides and mixed lowland forest targets.
Overnight: Pingshan

Day 18 — Full day Pingshan (Tanshi Village)
A full day at hides and nearby forest for low-altitude pheasants and endemics.
Highlights: Sichuan Partridge, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Temminck’s Tragopan, Silver Pheasant, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Emei Shan Liocichla, Buffy Laughingthrush, Grey-headed Parrotbill, Sichuan Bush Warbler, Chinese Hwamei, Slaty-backed Forktail.
Overnight: Pingshan

Day 19 — Morning Pingshan → Drive to Chengdu (evening)
Morning birding to wrap up Pingshan targets; drive back to Chengdu with stops. Final evening in Chengdu.
Overnight: Chengdu

Day 20 (Departure Day) — Chengdu airport send-off & departure
Transfer to Chengdu TFU / CTU airport for flights home. End of tour.

Note: The final tour itinerary may change slightly depending on the latest birding conditions.

Practical Notes & Recommendations

Altitude: Elevations range from lowland parks at around 500 m to over 4,000 m on the high plateau. Bring layered clothing and cold-weather gear for chilly mornings and mountain passes.
Driving: There will be several long driving days, though we’ll make regular birding stops along the way. Be prepared for early starts.
Photography: There are excellent opportunities for bird photography throughout the tour. At certain sites, hides (blinds) are available for close-up shots of pheasants. We recommend bringing medium to long telephoto lenses to capture the best images.
Flexibility: The itinerary will generally follow the planned sequence, but minor adjustments may be made to take advantage of the best weather, road, or birding conditions.
Health & Safety: Allow time for altitude acclimatization on high-elevation days, stay hydrated, and inform your guides of any signs of altitude discomfort.

Map

Map of Sichuan Birding Tour in China, showing key birding sites such as Longcanggou, Balangshan, Wolong, and Ruoergai Plateau.

Hotel, Food & Vehicle on Sichuan tour

A collage showing all hotels and accommodations used on the Sichuan Birding Tour in China, guided by Summer Wong.

A collage of Sichuan cuisine featured during the Sichuan Birding Tour in China, guided by Summer Wong.

A collage of field breakfast featured during the Sichuan Birding Tour in China, guided by Summer Wong.

22-23 seats coach we use on 9-10 pax tour

Birds, mammals & scenery in Sichuan

Temminck’s Tragopan photographed in Labahe National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, during a China birding tour with Summer Wong

Temminck’s Tragopan © Summer Wong

Chinese Monal photographed in June 2016 at Balangshan Nature Reserve, Sichuan

Chinese Monal © Summer Wong

golden-pheasant photographed in Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, during a China birding tour with Summer Wong

Golden Pheasant © Summer Wong

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant photographed in Labahe National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, during a China birding tour with Summer Wong

Lady Amherst’s Pheasant © Summer Wong

Verreaux’s Monal-partridge (Chestnut-throated Monal Partridge) photographed in June 2025 at Chuanzhusi, Sichuan

Verreaux’s Monal-partridge (Chestnut-throated Monal Partridge) © Summer Wong

Tibetan Snowcock photographed in June 2025 at Chuanzhusi, Sichuan

Tibetan Snowcock © Summer Wong

Blood Pheasant photographed in June 2016 at Balangshan Nature Reserve, Sichuan

Blood Pheasant © Summer Wong

Tibetan Partridge photographed in June 2025 at Chuanzhusi, Sichuan

Tibetan Partridge © Summer Wong

White-eared Pheasant photographed in June 2016 at Balangshan, Sichuan

White-eared Pheasant © Summer Wong

Blue-eared Pheasant photographed in June 2022 at Chuanzhusi, Sichuan

Blue-eared Pheasant © Summer Wong

Koklass Pheasant photographed in Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve, Sichuan, during a China birding tour with Summer Wong

Koklass Pheasant © Summer Wong

Snow Partridge photographed in June 2016 at Balangshan, Sichuan

Snow Partridge © Summer Wong

Sichuan-Partridge photographed in May 2021 at Tanshi Village, Sichuan

Sichuan Partridge © Summer Wong

Chinese Grouse photographed in May 2016 at Chuanzhusi, Sichuan

Chinese Grouse © Summer Wong

Common Pheasant photographed in May 2016 at Chuanzhusi, Sichuan

Common Pheasant © Summer Wong

Black-necked Crane © Summer Wong

Red Panda © Summer Wong

Firethroat © Summer Wong

Przevalski’s Finch © Summer Wong

Golden-fronted Fulvetta © Summer Wong

White-browed Tit-warbler © Summer Wong

Grey-hooded Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Great Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Three-toed Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Brown Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Spectacled Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Fulvous Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Vinous-throated Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Ashy-throated Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Golden Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Rusty-throated Parrotbill © Summer Wong

Grandala © Summer Wong

Streaked Barwing © Summer Wong

Emei Shan Liocichla © Summer Wong

Sharpe’s Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Chinese Long-tailed Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Vinaceous Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Red-fronted Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Crimson-browed Finch © Summer Wong

Three-banded Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Streaked Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Dark-breasted Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Blanford’s Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Chinese White-browed Rosefinch © Summer Wong

Siberian Rubythroat © Summer Wong

Przevalski’s Nuthatch © Summer Wong

White-browed Tit © Summer Wong

Scaly-breasted Cupwing / Chinese Cupwing © Summer Wong

Pere David’s Tit © Summer Wong

Chinese Fulvetta © Summer Wong

Rufous-tailed Babbler © Summer Wong

Fire-capped Tit © Summer Wong

Giant Laughingthrush © Summer Wong

Barred Laughingthrush © Summer Wong

Buffy Laughingthrush © Summer Wong

White-throated Laughingthrush © Summer Wong

Elliot’s Laughingthrush © Summer Wong

Spotted Laughingthrush © Summer Wong

Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush © Summer Wong

Sichuan Jay © Summer Wong

Tawny Fish-owl © Summer Wong

Ural Owl (Pere David’s) © Summer Wong

Himalayan Owl © Summer Wong

Little Owl © Vincent Wang

Northern Eagle Owl © Summer Wong

Himalayan Griffon © Summer Wong

Bearded Vulture © Summer Wong

Steppe Eagle © Summer Wong

Upland Buzzard © Summer Wong

Saker Falcon © Summer Wong

White-backed Woodpecker © Summer Wong

White-backed Woodpecker © Summer Wong

Three-toed Woodpecker © Summer Wong

Darjeeling Woodpecker © Summer Wong

Chinese Blue Flycatcher © Summer Wong

Rufous-headed Robin © Summer Wong

Golden-breasted Fulvetta © Summer Wong

Spectacled Fulvetta © Summer Wong

Chinese Fulvetta © Summer Wong

Grey-hooded Fulvetta © Summer Wong

Sichuan Treecreeper © Summer Wong

Blue-fronted Redstart © Summer Wong

White-bellied Redstart © Summer Wong

Golden Bush Robin © Summer Wong

Zappey’s Flycatcher © Summer Wong

Dark-sided Flycatcher © Summer Wong