The great range of environmental conditions here makes a fabulously bird-rich region, home to the bulk of China's endemic birds and the home of its Giant Pandas. On this exciting trip we will concentrate on seeing the endemic and near-endemic species as well as sampling the cuisine, genuine hospitality and dramatic scenery for which this region is rightly famous. Although the wild mountainous terrain and torrential rivers have combined to keep the province isolated until relatively recently, today the rich diversity of habitats and a well-developed tourist infrastructure make Sichuan an appealing destination for a birding tour. We begin our journey in Chengdu, the capital of the province, which lies on the western side of the Red Basin. We will visit four main sites on the tour, each one is different, each has its own charm and each its specific bird life. First of all we will visit a beautiful bird-rich nature-imitated park located in the city, Huanhuaxi Park. Then, leaving Chengdu we will drive south across the Red Basin making our own pilgrimage to Mt. Emei, one of China's four sacred Buddhist mountains. Straddling the boundary between the Palearctic and Oriental regions Emei Shan, the towering mountain that dominates this part of southern Sichuan, harbours a remarkable variety of species.
We have numerous options during our time at Wolong. On at least one, probably two days, we will use our four-wheel drive vehicles to good effect and head above the main village to explore the mighty Balang Shan Pass. We will start early in the hope of finding Wood Snipe displaying over some of the higher alpine meadows immediately before dawn. Koklass Pheasant and Kessler's Thrush both breed close to the tree line here and while the former is elusive and difficult to see, we are sure to hear its unpleasant barking calls ringing across the valleys. With luck, we might also find a covey of spectacular White Eared Pheasants or perhaps even a Chinese Monal Pheasant. Leaving Wolong we will head north to Jiuzhaigou Valley via Lamaling pass. Spending two days at Jiuzhaigou, we will have time to explore a number of sites both inside and just outside this spectacular sanctuary. Scenically, Jiuzhaigou must rank as one of the most spectacular mountain areas in Asia. Startlingly jagged snow-capped peaks flanked with alpine meadows, extensive stands of bamboo and large tracts of dense coniferous and mixed forests abound. Then we will return to Chengdu, finishing this great journey of Birding in Sichuan.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In the far west of China, where the atlas marks in streaks of purple the great plateau of Tibet tumbling to the south and east into the plains of China, the great province of Sichuan lies. Its subtropical fertile plain, known as the Red Basin, is ringed by mountains, and its remoteness from the political center and its relative inaccessibility, until recently ensured that this region was China's 'Wild West', to both Chinese and foreigners alike.
After five days at Mt. Emei we will be back to Chengdu and stay there for one night then we will head west to our next destination, Wolong through deep valleys and narrow gorges. World-renowned as the headquarters of the World Wildlife Fund’s project to save the Giant Panda, Wolong has much to offer the birder. It is a scenically stunning area and, although we are unlikely to see a wild Giant Panda, the spectacularly forested mountains, extensive stands of bamboo, stunning alpine meadows and rugged snow-capped peaks harbour some truly outstanding birds. We will spend four nights inside the reserve.