At the present time EcoQuest Travel does not have a trip to China scheduled. The following itinerary is an example of trips we have conducted in the past and is similar to trips we intend to offer in the future. If you are interested in China as a destination please contact us for further information.

CHINA BIRD WATCHING

Wintering Cranes, Waterfowl and Wildlife

“When we hear his call we hear no mere bird. We hear the trumpet in the orchestra of evolution. He is the symbol of our untamable past, of that incredible sweep of millennia which underlies and conditions the daily affairs of birds and men.”
Aldo Leopold, “Marshland Elegy,” 1937

EcoQuest Travel is proud to offer a fantastic bird watching journey to the extraordinary country of China. From the sheer magnitude of the Great Wall and the ancient splendor of the Forbidden City to the shimmering marshes of Poyang Lake and the bamboo forests of Tangjiahe, China offers a plethora of cultural and natural wonders. China is most often visited for its cultural riches, but the wildlife, especially the birdlife, is diverse and unique. We have chosen to travel in February/March to take advantage of the abundance and diversity of cranes, waterfowl and pheasants in particular. After a brief stint in Beijing we will begin our explorations in east-central China among the massive complex of lakes and marshes around Poyang Hu. Poyang Hu is an incredibly important wintering ground for thousands of birds including most of the world’s Siberian cranes. Surrounding the great white Siberian cranes are hooded, red-crowned and white-naped cranes making Poyang Lake one of the world’s largest gatherings of these breathtakingly beautiful birds. No less spectacular is the huge gatherings of swan, bean and lesser white-fronted geese. From Poyang we journey to the west to the shadow of Tibet in the foothills of the Himalayas and extensive wetlands of Cao Hai Reserve. The marshes of Cao Hai are famous for supporting one of the world’s largest flocks of wintering black-necked cranes. Bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks, Baer’s pochard and falcated ducks also grace the waterways of Cao Hai, and Lady Amherst’s and Reeve’s pheasants may be spied in the surrounding forests. On our optional extension we will travel north to the home of the giant panda. Tangjiahe Nature Reserve is tucked away in the mountains of Sichuan and its forests are home to a spectacular array of animals. Particular attention will be given to the area’s pheasants including golden, white-eared, blue-eared and blood pheasants. The spectacularly colored Chinese monal and Temminck’s tragopan also call these mountains home. Mammals are plentiful in Tangjiahe and could include golden monkey, takin, red panda and perhaps even a glimpse of the phantom of the bamboo the giant panda. We invite you to join us as we explore the fantastic birdlife, natural wonders, cultural sites and magic that is China.

13 – DAY ITINERARY WITH OPTIONAL 5 – DAY EXTENSION

Days 1 & 2) Monday and Tuesday, February 15 & 16: US to Beijing, China

We will depart from our home cities and fly to our US gateway city on the morning of February 15th. Once we arrive in our gateway city we will transfer to our flight to Beijing, China. Please plan to arrive at your departure gate for Beijing no later than two hours prior to your scheduled departure time. The flight from the US to Beijing is a long one and we will likely arrive in China in the afternoon or evening of February 16th. After clearing customs and immigration we will transfer to the comfort of the Grand Hotel for a night of much needed rest. The Grand Hotel is a luxurious modern hotel overlooking the Forbidden City, and will be a welcome retreat while we explore Beijing.

Day 3) Wednesday, February 17: Beijing – The Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and birding the Summer Palace

This morning after breakfast we will recover from our long flights by visiting two of China’s most famous cultural sites. Tiananmen Square is the world’s largest public square and is home to the Great Hall of the People, the National Grand Theatre, the Gate of Heavenly Peace, Mao’s Mausoleum, China’s National Museum and other monuments. Tiananmen is stoic and imposing, but a must see. In stark contrast to the Maoist feel of Tiananmen is the gigantic and beautiful complex of the Forbidden City. So named because it was off limits for 500 years, the Forbidden City is the best preserved group of ancient buildings in China. Home to the emperors of both the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Forbidden City is a wondrous feast for the senses and provides superb photographic opportunities. We will eat lunch at the Noble House restaurant on HouHai Lake. After lunch we will visit the visually spectacular Temple of Heaven before departing for the immense park surrounding the Summer Palace. Although the grounds of the Summer Palace contain many temples, pavilions and corridors our primary focus will be on birding the lakes and gardens. Despite the cold we could see ducks such as Baer’s pochard, falcated duck, mandarin duck and Baikal teal. We could also see blue and azure-winged magpies, Daurian jackdaw, vinous-throated parrotbill, grey-capped greenfinch, Palla’s rosefinch, Japanese waxwing, snowy-browed nuthatch and a host of buntings. After a full day we will eat dinner at a local restaurant and overnight at the Grand Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 4) Thursday, February 18: Beijing – The Great Wall

Today we will journey outside Beijing to visit the incredible Great Wall. Begun over 2,000 years ago, the Great Wall, or its remnants, stretch 4,000 miles from Liaoning Province along the Yellow Sea in the east to Jiayuguan and the Gobi Desert in the west. This remarkable achievement, which took hundreds of years to complete, was meant to prevent invasion from marauding hordes. Today much of the wall has crumbled and is in a state of disrepair, but certain sections have been preserved or rebuilt. We will visit the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, which is known for its Ming Dynasty guard towers and fantastic views. It is also a less touristy section of the wall and we should also be able to bird. We could see rock buntings, Daurian redstarts, long-tailed rosefinches and Siberian accentors near the wall. We will have lunch near the Great Wall and afterwards bird the mountains surrounding Sancha village. We will return to Beijing in time for dinner and we will overnight once again at the Grand Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5) Friday, February 19: Beijing to Nanchang and on to Wu Cheng

After breakfast we will begin a day of travel as we transfer to the airport for our flight south to Nanchang. Upon arrival we will picked up by our local guide and will drive, about two hours, to Wu Cheng County which is the gateway to the wetlands surrounding Poyang Lake. If we have time in the late afternoon we will do some birding. In the evening a local bird expert will give us a presentation on the migratory birds found in this area. We will stay overnight at the Wu Cheng Visitor Center which has hostel style accommodations (double rooms each with private bath). (B,L,D)

Day 6) Saturday, February 20: The Wintering Cranes and Waterfowl of Poyang Lake

This morning we will begin our explorations of Poyang Lake and the vast marshes that surround this critical wintering site. In good years this area is home to nearly a half million wintering birds including as many as five species of cranes. The star of the show is the critically endangered Siberian crane and we hope to glimpse this elusive giant white bird among the white-naped, Eurasian, hooded and red-crowned cranes that also winter here. In addition to the cranes these wetlands are home to a wide variety of waterbirds including: swan, bean, graylag and lesser white-fronted geese; Baikal teal; Oriental stork; black-faced spoonbill and Dalmatian pelican. Great bustard, imperial eagle, and passerines like marsh grassbird and ochre-rumped and Pallas’ buntings are also found near the lake. We will take a break for lunch before continuing our birding efforts throughout the afternoon. After a full day we will have dinner and overnight at the Wu Cheng Visitor Center. (B,L,D)

Day 7) Sunday, February 21: Poyang Lake

We will have another full day to bird this extraordinary region in order to insure that we are able to locate all the species we are looking for. During the summer months this area is flooded – in fact over 4,600 square kilometers of land is flooded by wet season rains. By mid-winter the water recedes by as much as 10 meters leaving a wilderness of shallow lagoons, mudflats, marshes and wet grasslands that support the huge influx of birdlife. Despite the critical importance of this area to birds less than 10% is protected and our visitation will provide an economic incentive to conserve this vital habitat. It will also serve as a reminder to officials of how important preserving this fragile ecosystem is. We will once again eat dinner and overnight at the Wu Cheng Visitor Center. (B,L,D)

Day 8) Monday, February 22: Nanchang to Guiyang and on to Weining

Today is a long travel day that begins after breakfast when we transfer to the airport in Nanchang. We will fly west/southwest to Guiyang in remote Guizhou Province. Once in Guiyang we will eat lunch at a local restaurant before the five hour drive northwest to Weining. Weining is the gateway to Cao Hai Nature Reserve and is an interesting town in its own right with Uighur music blaring from Muslim kebab stands and donkey drawn chariots. We will overnight at the Black Neck Crane Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 9) Tuesday, February 23: The Black-necked Cranes of Cao Hai Nature Reserve

This morning we will be introduced to our local birding expert who is a Chinese scientist with the International Crane Foundation. He will give us an introduction to the area and escort us to Cao Hai Nature Reserve. Cao Hai means ‘Sea of Grass’ and the reserve consists of a large lake surrounded by extensive marshes. These wetlands are home to many birds, but none as dramatic and important as the rare black-necked crane. The black-necked crane breeds in the rarified air of the high altitude lakes scattered throughout the Tibetan Plateau and winters in Bhutan and southwest China. Cao Hai is home to the largest wintering population in China and the chance to view these beautiful birds is a rare opportunity indeed. We will spend the morning looking for cranes. After lunch in town we will explore the forests near the villages of Xiaoshanpo and Dashanpo. These forests are within the Cao Hai Nature Reserve and we hope to see Lady Amherst’s pheasant, white-tailed eagle, upland buzzard, Daurian jackdaw, brown-breasted bulbul, white-browed laughingthrush, white-collared yuhina, black-backed wagtail and both grey-capped and black-headed greenfinches. If we are really lucky we could spot a Reeve’s pheasant. We will once again overnight at the Black Neck Crane Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 10) Wednesday, February 24: Cao Hai Nature Reserve

We will spend both the morning and afternoon boating on the lake in search of birds. Although famous for the black-necked cranes, Cao Hai is also important for waterfowl and our boat trip should get us close to bar-headed geese, ruddy shelduck, falcated teal, Baer’s pochard and garganey. We should observe other waterbirds as well including Eurasian coots, long-billed plover and black stork. We will have dinner tonight with a local family in the village before returning to the Black Neck Crane Hotel for overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 11) Thursday, February 25: Weining to Guiyang

After an early breakfast we will depart for Guiyang. Along the way we will stop near Huangguoshu village to look for birds particularly greater rufous-headed parrotbill, spotted forktail and yellow-breasted greenfinch. After a morning of traveling and birding we will eat lunch at a local restaurant before continuing on to Guiyang. Once we arrive in Guiyang we will check into our rooms at the Guiyang Sheraton Hotel for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 12) Friday, February 26: Guiyang to either Beijing or Chengdu for the Optional Extension

Today we will transfer to the airport in Guiyang for either our flight back to Beijing or to Chengdu for the extension to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve. For those that are flying to Beijing you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Grand Hotel. The remaining portion of the day is free to explore, shop or pack in preparation for the long journey home. Those that are participating on the extension to Tangjiahe please see the itinerary below. (B,L,D)

Day 13) Saturday, February 27: Departure for the US

We will have breakfast at the hotel this morning before transferring to Beijing’s International Airport for our flight back to the US. Due to the magic of crossing the International Dateline we may arrive in our US gateway city earlier than we departed on the same day we left. Once in our US gateway city, after clearing immigration and customs, we will transfer to our individual flights home. (B)

* Please note that EcoQuest Travel, Inc. will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.

OPTIONAL EXTENSION TO THE LAND OF THE PANDA AND PHEASANT

Beneath the shadow of Tibet, Tangjiahe Nature Reserve is a magical place tucked into the bamboo-forested mountains of Sichuan Province. It is a rugged and beautiful landscape that is home to countless rare species including one of the largest populations of giant pandas left in the wild. Other large mammals, like the golden monkey, red panda, Asiatic black bear, and the unusual takin – a musk ox relative, are found in this vast protected area. Tangjiahe is also home to a remarkable diversity of birds including a spectacular selection of pheasants with several species gracing the reserve’s forests, meadows and bamboo thickets. Because we are visiting in winter many of the birds will be easier to observe including the pheasants. We invite you to join us on this trip extension to a truly special place that beckons with majestic vistas and abundant wildlife.

Day 12) Friday, February 26: Guiyang to Chengdu and the Panda Breeding Center

We will transfer to the airport in Guiyang for the one hour flight to Chengdu. Upon arrival in Chengdu we will check into our rooms at the Chengdu Sheraton Hotel and have lunch. In the afternoon we will visit Chengdu’s panda breeding facility. Our tour of the panda breeding center should provide some background on China’s giant panda conservation efforts as well as the chance to see these fantastic animals up close and personal. After our tour we will have dinner before settling into our hotel in preparation for our adventure in Tangjiahe Nature Reserve. (B,L,D)

Day 13) Saturday, February 27: Journey to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve

This morning, after breakfast, we will depart on our five to six hour journey to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve. We will eat lunch along the way and should arrive by late afternoon in time to begin birding. If we are lucky we could see takin close to the Lodge as well as golden pheasant, blood pheasant, Temminck’s tragopan and a variety of songbirds. We will eat dinner and overnight at the Tangjiahe Guesthouse. (B,L,D)

Days 1, 2 & 3) Sunday, February 28, Monday & Tuesday, March 1 & 2: Tangjiahe Nature Reserve

We will have three full days to explore this extraordinary ecosystem. On the morning of our first day we will delve deep into Tangjiahe with a fairly strenuous four to five-hour hike up to Mo Tian Ling. This will be a moderate to difficult hike, but we will hike slowly in order to observe birds and other wildlife. Our chances of seeing a giant panda in the wild are extremely remote, but if it is going to happen then the best chance will be on the hike to Mo Tian Ling. If there is snow on the ground we will have even more of a chance as we could follow fresh tracks. We are likely to have better chances to see golden monkeys and takin along the way. The primary reason for the hike is to get to some of the alpine/subalpine areas frequented by pheasants. With luck we could see Chinese monal, blue-eared, white-eared, golden and blood pheasants. Other birds will also be plentiful and as we get higher we will be looking for snow pigeon, Himalayan griffon, golden eagle, lammergeier, grandala, Eurasian nutcracker, and an assortment of tits, laughingthrushes, fulvettas, parrotbills and finches. Our second and third days will be spent hiking the trails in search of wildlife near our accommodations. Our accommodations at the Tangjiahe Guesthouse will be fairly rustic, but the chance to see amazing wildlife should more than make up for a couple of nights of roughing it! (B,L,D)

Day 4) Wednesday, March 3: Return to Chengdu and on to Beijing

This morning we will retrace our five hour journey as we depart Tangjiahe for Chengdu. When we arrive in Chengdu we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Beijing. Once in Beijing we will transfer to the Grand Hotel and have a chance to pack and freshen up prior to dinner at the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5) Thursday, March 4: Departure for the US

We will have breakfast at the hotel this morning before transferring to Beijing’s International Airport for our flight back to the US. Once in our US gateway city, after clearing immigration and customs, we will transfer to our individual flights home. (B)

* Please note that EcoQuest Travel, Inc. will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.