Sichuan, China
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Nuorilang Falls, by Chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
Sites of interest
- Emei Shan
- Wawu Shan
- Longcanggou
- Erlang Shan
- Labahe NWR
- Hailuogou
- Balang Shan
- Mengbi Shan
- Gonggangling Pass
- Jiuzhaigou
- Tangjiahe
Top target birds
- Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Golden Pheasant, Chinese Monal, and other chickens
- Przevalski's Pinktail
- Sichuan Jay
- Emei Shan Liocichla
- White-browed and Crested Tit-Warblers
Other targets
- Red Panda
Practical reasons for interest
- 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
Concerns
- 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 Leygraaf's trip report below.
- What are driving times like? (see Robby's maxim)
- How far towards/into Qinghai must one travel to find Tibetan Plateau specialties like Przevalski's Pinktail and others? Is the driving worth that?
- 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)
- 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.
Itinerary thoughts
- Fly into Chengdu
- Go either clockwise or counter-clockwise around Chengdu, with a detour towards/into Qinghai.
References
Trip reports
- Leygraaf - June 2025
- Wong et al. - May 2025
- Burger et al. - June 2019
- Gordijn and Rijkes - June 2016
- Reeve - Nov 2016 - only Labahe
Logistics
Podcasts
- 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