1 Day Yingjiang Hornbill Valley Birding Tour

Morning: Early Birdwatching (5:00 AM - 8:00 AM)

5:00 AM – Depart from the hotel: Early morning pick-up from your hotel in Yingjiang, and drive to the Hornbill Valley (犀鸟谷), which is around 1-2 hours away by car.

6:30 AM – Arrive at the Hornbill Valley Core Area: Start your birding adventure in the core area of Hornbill Valley. Head straight to Shiti Village No. 2 Bird Pond (石梯村2号鸟塘), where you’ll have the chance to photograph rare species such as:

• Great Hornbill (大犀鸟)

• Wreathed Hornbill (环颈犀鸟)

• Grey Peacock-Pheasant (灰孔雀雉)

• Yellow-bellied Heron (黄腹鹭)

• Over 60 bird species are active during early morning hours, including various woodpeckers, raptors, and parrots.

Wildlife Photography Tip: If rain or weather conditions interfere with access to the valley, your guide may take you to the nearby Hongbenghe Village (洪崩河村), a rainforest area that is known for unique species such as Orchid Mantis (兰花螳螂).

Morning: Wetland Exploration (8:30 AM - 12:00 PM)

8:30 AM – Arrive at Yingjiang National Wetland Park: After the morning birdwatching session, head to the Yingjiang National Wetland Park (盈江国家湿地公园) to explore the marshes and wetlands. Here, focus on species with restricted distribution in the area:

• Alexander Parrot (亚历山大鹦鹉)

• Chestnut-capped Babblers (栗颈噪鹛)

High-altitude boardwalk: Walk along the elevated boardwalks where you can photograph the White-headed Myna (白领八哥) and Black-winged Kite (黑翅鸢). The bamboo forests around the wetlands also offer sightings of the Pied Woodpecker (斑姬啄木鸟).

Lunch: (12:00 PM - 1:00 PM)

Lunch: Enjoy a picnic lunch or local restaurant options featuring traditional Yunnan dishes. Bird Watcher’s House (鸟友之家) offers delivery services, or you can opt for Wang’s Beef Ball Shop (王氏丸子店), known for its delicious beef ball soup.

Afternoon: Leisure and Birding (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM)

2:00 PM – Visit Xiang’e Lake: In the afternoon, take a relaxing boat ride on Xiang'e Lake (香额湖). Rent a foot-powered boat (40 RMB/hour) to circle the lake, where you’ll spot species like:

• Yellow-billed Tern (黄嘴河燕鸥)

• Copper-winged Pheasant (铜翅水雉)

3:30 PM – Bamboo Rafting on Daying River: Drift down the Daying River (大盈江) on a bamboo raft. Capture stunning photographs of Grey-tailed Tern (灰燕鸻) and Red-legged Falcon (红腿小隼) along the riverbanks.

5:00 PM – Local Snacks: Stop by one of the local snack stalls along the river to try Yunnan beef meatballs or Ersai noodles (饵丝), a local specialty.

Evening: Return to Hotel (5:30 PM - 6:00 PM)

5:30 PM – Return to Yingjiang: After an exciting day of birdwatching and nature exploration, return to your hotel in Yingjiang.

6:00 PM – End of Tour: The tour concludes, and you can rest or explore the town at your leisure.