Sichuan, China

Top target birds

Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Golden Pheasant, Chinese Monal, and other chickens
Przevalski's Pinktail - a monotypic family, see Bird family listing, but an extremely long drive and commitment
Sichuan Jay
Gold-fronted Fulvetta
Firethroat
Emei Shan Liocichla
White-browed and Crested Tit-Warblers

Language barrier less of an issue for me than for most other birding tourists, independent trip much more feasible
Stunning scenery, stunning birds
Great cost value
Great cultural interest
- As articulated below in #Logistics, the current moment is a unique time for visiting China. The cities are globalized, but smaller towns maintain a tremendous amount of local culture. Infrastructure is incredibly good (roads, high speed rail, etc.), but it is still easy to venture off the beaten path. Costs can be very affordable in many places, not yet overrun by overseas tourists. And China is currently welcoming tourists, relaxing its visa policies, in contrast to how closed it has been in the past. Any and all of these factors could easily shift in the near future, and the present feels like a remarkable time to visit and experience China.

Difficult to rent a car. China requires a provisional license to rent a car (an International Driver's Permit is not sufficient), which takes several hours and multiple documents and forms to apply for and process, and likely the help of a third-party agency. See links below in Logistics.
- Could also consider hiring a private driver? For example see this offer from China Birding Tours, with additional discounts for trip reports, and an exchange program(?).
Significant driving times to some areas, see map below (and see Robby's maxim)
- Perhaps focus on southern half?
High elevations require acclimatization, and weather can be unpredictable and fast-changing
Short window of time for peak bird activity and site accessibility (May/June)
- Though see trip reports from Lehmberg and Reeve below, which were still highly successful
- Climate information from Jiuzhaigou - Wikipedia
  > 80% of rainfall occurs between May and October
Google Maps not usable in China (everything is offset). Navigation on the ground should be okay with apps such as CoMaps (see Birding tools) and even Apple Maps. For scouting and research, may need to use China-specific apps (AMaps?). Not sure about CalTopo, Goat Maps, etc.
Some sites heavily touristed, ex: Wawu Shan has annoying music played over loudspeakers constantly
Local contacts can arrange for early access to some areas, access to feeders/blinds, etc. Consider hiring a driver to help with this? Via Summer Wong, Allen Xue, etc.

Sichuan driving times

Sichuan site elevations

Fly into Chengdu - get Chinese driving permit - 1-2 nights
Northern loop
- Tangjiahe - 2 nights
- Zoige - 2 nights
- Gonggangling - 2 nights
- Return to Chengdu
Southern loop
- Longcanggou - 2 nights
- Erlang shan and Hailuogou - 2 nights
- Labahe - 2 nights
- Return to Chengdu

Lehmberg - Oct-Nov 2025 - Labahe, Baxi, Tangjiahe, Tanshi Village, Longcanggou, Wawu shan, Lianghekou, Shapai Village

I guess it's possible to do a trip like this, with good results, as an independent traveller, and places like Labahe NR, Tangjiahe NNR and Wawushan seem to be fairly easy to visit that way. However, places like Lianghekou and Shapai Village are much more tricky, and unlike so many other places around the world, I don't think it would make much sense doing an itinerary like ours completely on your own.
Leygraaf - June 2025 - all, with notes on independent car rental
Wong et al. - May 2025 - Tanshi Village, Lianghekou, Mengbishan, Baxi
Burger et al. - June 2019 - Baxi, Mengbi shan, Balang shan, Labahe, Longcanggou
Talbot et al. - June 2018 - only Longcanggou
Rasmussen et al. - July 2017 - Balangshan and Longcanggou
Sergeant - April 2017 - Baxi, Jiuzhaigou, Tangjiahe, Longcanggou, Balang shan
Gordijn and Rijkes - June 2016 - all
Reeve - Nov 2016 - only Labahe

John Hall - Dec 2024 - Baxi, Tangjiahe, Labahe, Baoxing
Sophie and Manuel Baumgartner - Oct-Dec 2019 - Wolong, 'Place X', Labahe, Tangjiahe, Tibetan plateau
Heng Yirui - Feb 2025 - Labahe, Tangjiahe, Tibetan plateau
Chris Daniels - Mar 2025 - Tangjiahe, Tibetan plateau
Anonymous - Labahe, Zoige, Balang shan
Mammalwatching - China region overview and reports list

Birdreport.cn is the Chinese alternative to eBird, as apparently there is general distrust of Cornell in China?
Car rental and the Chinese temporary driving permit
- eHi instructions - offices in Beijing (within the airport), Shanghai, Shenzhen, etc.
- TripAdvisor discussion, with first-hand experiences in Beijing
- Video of Beijing airport procedures
Kevin Kelly - Essentials for Independent Travel in China
Chris Arnade - Some Final China Thoughts

Naturally Adventurous - S5E25 - China with Sid Francis and Keith Barnes - no detail on sites or specific birds, but good general information on tourism infrastructure
Mammalwatching - S3E12: Sid Francis, China

Subirds - Longcanggou and Erlang shan

The Xijian Zhushe Inn, located in Longcanggou, is a birder-friendly accommodation built by birders for birders. Its owner, Mr. Hu, is a seasoned local bird guide with extensive knowledge of the surrounding avian life...(Is this the same Mr. Hu that can provide early-morning access behind a gate?)
Subirds - Sichuan trip - Balang shan, Longcanggou, village pheasant hide(s)
Kenny Ross - Sichuan trip report