Yunnan Province holds some of the most exciting habitats and alluring species in the whole of Asia, about half of China’s birds and mammals. This 14 days West Yunnan Birding Tour covers some of the best birding areas in the province, such as Zixi Mountain, Baoshan, Baihualing, etc. This tour offers travelers featured birds in Yunnan. Yunnan is an ideal place for your biring tour.

Highlight:

• Watch diverse birds and explore more species in Yunnan.

• Enjoy the charming natural scenery.

Brief Itinerary:

• Day 1 Kunming Arrival
• Day 2 Kunming – Zixishan
• Day 3 Zixishan Mountain
• Day 4 Zixi Mountain – Dali
• Day 5 Dali
• Day 6 Dali-Bawan
• Day 7 Baihualing(Gaoli Gongshan)
• Day 8 Baihualing(Gaoli Gongshan)
• Day 9 Baihualing(Gaoli Gongshan)
• Day 10 Baihualing(Gaoli Gongshan) – Yunlong
• Day 11 Yunlong-Lijiang
• Day 12 Lijiang
• Day 13 Lijiang
• Day 14 Lijiang Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Kunming Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities: Kunming Arrival
Accommodation: Kunming
Meals: Lunch

Pick you up at Kunming airport. Meet your local guide and driver, then transfer to hotel. 

Day 2 Kunming – Zixishan

Sightseeing and Activities: Haigeng Park, Dianchi Lake and The Green Lake, Birdwatching
Accommodation: Zixishan Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Birdwatching tour at Haigeng Park, Dianchi Lake and The Green Lake. Drive to Zixishan Mountain Nature Reserve (200km) in the afternoon.

Day 3 Zixishan Mountain

Sightseeing and Activities: Zixishan Reserve, Giant Nuthatch, Yunnan Nuthatch, Tree creeper
Accommodation: Zixishan Mountain
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

A whole day birding in Zixishan Reserve, a good place for Giant Nuthatch, Yunnan Nuthatch, Tree creeper, Ms Hume’s pheasants!

Day 4 Zixi Mountain – Dali

Sightseeing and Activities: Birding, Dali
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After morning birding in Zixishan, drive to Dali in the afternoon.

Day 5 Dali

Sightseeing and Activities: Birdwatching, Mt. Cangshan
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

In the morning, birdwatching in Mt. Cangshan. Have a good opportunity to see Lady Amhersts, fire-tailed sunbirds and blood pheasant at 3100m elevation. Do bird watching in the farmland in the afternoon.

Day 6 Dali – Baoshan – Bawan

Sightseeing and Activities: Cangshan, Bawan, Birding
Accommodation: Bawan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After morning birding in Cangshan, drive to Bawan in Baoshan city (280km). Baoshan is the main stepping off point for birders visiting Gaoligongshan. Evening bird watching for tropic birds along the Nujiang River in the valley and farmland.

Day 7 Baihualing(Gaoli Gongshan)

Sightseeing and Activities: Baihualing, Gaoligongshan, Birding
Accommodation: Baihualing
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After morning birdwatching, drive to Baihualing in Gaoligongshan. Do birding along the road. 3-night in Baihualing Hostel.

Baihualing is the most easily accessible part of Gaolingong Mountains. Birds at Baihualing include Sclater’s Monal (high elevations only), Silver and Mrs. Hume’s Pheasants, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Ward’s Trogon (rare), Brown Wood Owl, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, White-bellied Green Pigeon, Long-tailed Broadbill, White-winged Magpie (rare), three species of shortwing including Gould’s, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Spotted, Grey-sided, Blue-winged, Scaly and Red-tailed Laughingthrushes, Coral and Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers, Grey-bellied Wren Babbler, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Yellow-throated Fulvetta and Beautiful Sibia. Arguably Baihualing’s greatest avian attraction however is Cachar Wedge-billed Wren, a species that’s not uncommon here. Dark-rumped Swift has even been reported here.

Recommended Hotels

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide;
• Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
• Service charge & government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotels;
• Domestic train tickets of soft sleeper.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.

Travel Tips:

• Visitors are advised to always carry changes of clothing due to the large variations in temperature between day and night.
• The climate is relatively dry, so drink more water every day.
• Protecting oneself from strong UV radiation at high altitude.
• Protecting oneself from altitude sickness. Lessen the effects of altitude sickness, avoid strenuous exercise and have plenty of rest. 
• Respect local customs , habits, and religious beliefs.