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4-day private journey

Balangshan Pheasants & Alpine Birds

Chengdu → Wolong → Balangshan → Chengdu

The fastest route from Chengdu to western Sichuan’s conifer forest, rhododendron scrub and alpine scree, with a strong focus on pheasants, snowcock and high-mountain songbirds.

mawnehui33@gmail.comWhatsApp +86 13992284405
Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhuysii)
Chinese MonalLophophorus lhuysii
Duration4 days
Best seasonLate April to July
Field rhythmLong dawn sessions, roadside birding and altitude up to about 4,500 m
Likely & priority birds72 species
Private price from$880 pp

Route strengths

Why choose this journey

Indicative private-tour pricing

Price per person, by group size

USD land-only estimates, based on shared twin rooms. Final pricing is confirmed for your dates, rooming, permits and route changes.

1 guest$1,850per person
2 guests$1,350per person
3 guests$1,120per person
4 guests$990per person
5–6 guests$880per person

Includes private ground transport, English-speaking bird guide, accommodation, meals, route permits and standard entrance fees. International flights, visa, travel insurance, drinks, personal spending and gratuities are not included.

Day by day

The complete itinerary

Each day includes both headline specialties and the more regular warblers, laughingthrushes, flycatchers, tits, finches and other likely additions for an international birder’s life list.

Day01

Wolong and lower Balangshan

Chengdu to Wolong

Drive west from Chengdu and begin in warm river valleys and lower forest. The afternoon focuses on bamboo edge and mixed woodland before an early night.

Bird highlights for this day
Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhuysii)
Chinese Monal
White Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon)
White Eared Pheasant
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)
Golden Pheasant
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge (Tetraophasis obscurus)
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge
Sichuan Tit (Poecile weigoldicus)
Sichuan Tit
Przevalski’s Nuthatch (Sitta przewalskii)
Przevalski’s Nuthatch
Likely & priority birds · 43
Day02

Lower and middle Balangshan

Balangshan forest and treeline

Start before sunrise and climb slowly through conifers and rhododendron. Frequent roadside stops allow patient scanning for feeding pheasants and forest flocks.

Bird highlights for this day
Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhuysii)
Chinese Monal
White Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon)
White Eared Pheasant
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)
Golden Pheasant
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge (Tetraophasis obscurus)
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge
Sichuan Tit (Poecile weigoldicus)
Sichuan Tit
Przevalski’s Nuthatch (Sitta przewalskii)
Przevalski’s Nuthatch
Likely & priority birds · 43
Day03

Balangshan high pass and tunnel

The alpine pass

A full high-altitude day timed for calm early conditions. Scan scree, cliffs and alpine meadows, then descend through scrub as wind and cloud build.

Bird highlights for this day
Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhuysii)
Chinese Monal
White Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon)
White Eared Pheasant
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)
Golden Pheasant
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge (Tetraophasis obscurus)
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge
Przevalski’s Finch (Urocynchramus pylzowi)
Przevalski’s Finch
Chinese Rubythroat (Calliope tschebaiewi)
Chinese Rubythroat
Likely & priority birds · 41
Day04

Balangshan to Chengdu

Weather reserve and return

Use the final dawn at the elevation that produced the best activity or for the highest-priority missed target. Return to Chengdu after the morning session.

Bird highlights for this day
Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhuysii)
Chinese Monal
White Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon)
White Eared Pheasant
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)
Golden Pheasant
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge (Tetraophasis obscurus)
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge
Przevalski’s Finch (Urocynchramus pylzowi)
Przevalski’s Finch
Chinese Rubythroat (Calliope tschebaiewi)
Chinese Rubythroat
Likely & priority birds · 41

Illustrated route list

72 birds to watch for on this route

This is a realistic planning list rather than a sighting guarantee. Season, weather, access and recent bird activity determine the final daily priorities.

Chinese Monal (Lophophorus lhuysii)
Chinese endemicVulnerable

Chinese Monal

Lophophorus lhuysii

A spectacular, globally threatened endemic of western China’s high mountains.

Lianghekou, Labahe and Balangshan
White Eared Pheasant (Crossoptilon crossoptilon)
Chinese endemicNear Threatened

White Eared Pheasant

Crossoptilon crossoptilon

A large Chinese endemic of alpine scrub, meadow edge and open conifer forest.

Lianghekou, Balangshan and Mengbishan
Blood Pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus)

Blood Pheasant

Ithaginis cruentus

A high-elevation pheasant often feeding quietly along the edge of snow and scrub.

Labahe, Balangshan and Mengbishan
Tibetan Snowcock (Tetraogallus tibetanus)

Tibetan Snowcock

Tetraogallus tibetanus

A classic high-pass target, usually found by scanning distant scree and listening at dawn.

Balangshan alpine zone
Snow Partridge (Lerwa lerwa)

Snow Partridge

Lerwa lerwa

A cryptic gamebird of rocky alpine grassland near the snowline.

Balangshan alpine slopes
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)
Chinese endemic

Golden Pheasant

Chrysolophus pictus

An iconic Chinese endemic, usually found around bamboo and dense forest edge.

Balangshan lower forest
Temminck’s Tragopan (Tragopan temminckii)

Temminck’s Tragopan

Tragopan temminckii

One of Sichuan’s most spectacular forest pheasants, best sought at quiet dawn feeding sites.

Yibin, Erlangshan and Labahe
Koklass Pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha)

Koklass Pheasant

Pucrasia macrolopha

A shy forest pheasant most often detected by its dawn calls before it crosses a quiet mountain road.

Balangshan and northern conifer forest
Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge (Tetraophasis obscurus)
Chinese endemic

Verreaux’s Monal-Partridge

Tetraophasis obscurus

A restricted Chinese endemic of high conifer forest and alpine edge.

Mengbishan
Sichuan Tit (Poecile weigoldicus)
Chinese endemic

Sichuan Tit

Poecile weigoldicus

A Chinese endemic of cool conifer forest at the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Ruoergai forests
Przevalski’s Nuthatch (Sitta przewalskii)
Chinese endemic

Przevalski’s Nuthatch

Sitta przewalskii

A western Chinese conifer specialist with a long bill and clear white face.

Balangshan, Jiuzhaigou, Mengbishan and Baxi
Rufous-vented Tit (Periparus rubidiventris)

Rufous-vented Tit

Periparus rubidiventris

A regular high-elevation tit in mixed feeding flocks.

Wawushan, Balangshan and Mengbishan
Grey-crested Tit (Lophophanes dichrous)

Grey-crested Tit

Lophophanes dichrous

A crested tit of cool conifer and mixed mountain forest.

Wawushan, Balangshan and Jiuzhaigou
Green-backed Tit (Parus monticolus)

Green-backed Tit

Parus monticolus

A common and colourful member of mixed forest flocks.

Forest throughout the Sichuan mountains
White-collared Yuhina (Yuhina diademata)

White-collared Yuhina

Yuhina diademata

A frequent member of fast-moving mixed flocks in upper forest.

Wawushan, Balangshan and Labahe
White-browed Fulvetta (Fulvetta vinipectus)

White-browed Fulvetta

Fulvetta vinipectus

A lively high-altitude fulvetta found in scrub and open conifer forest.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Baxi
Chestnut Thrush (Turdus rubrocanus)

Chestnut Thrush

Turdus rubrocanus

A common upper-forest thrush, especially visible around open feeding areas.

Balangshan, Jiuzhaigou and Mengbishan
Dark-sided Flycatcher (Muscicapa sibirica)

Dark-sided Flycatcher

Muscicapa sibirica

A regular summer flycatcher of mature mountain forest.

Wawushan, Jiuzhaigou and Mengbishan
Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher (Ficedula strophiata)

Rufous-gorgeted Flycatcher

Ficedula strophiata

A small forest flycatcher frequently seen at shaded edges and clearings.

Wawushan, Labahe and Jiuzhaigou
Vinaceous Rosefinch (Carpodacus vinaceus)

Vinaceous Rosefinch

Carpodacus vinaceus

A deep wine-red rosefinch of bamboo, scrub and forest edge.

Wawushan, Balangshan and Mengbishan
Grey-headed Bullfinch (Pyrrhula erythaca)

Grey-headed Bullfinch

Pyrrhula erythaca

A quiet bird of montane conifer forest, often travelling in small groups.

Wawushan, Jiuzhaigou and Mengbishan
White-throated Redstart (Phoenicurus schisticeps)

White-throated Redstart

Phoenicurus schisticeps

A high-altitude redstart of rhododendron scrub and open conifers.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Baxi
Blue-fronted Redstart (Phoenicurus frontalis)

Blue-fronted Redstart

Phoenicurus frontalis

A colourful redstart that perches openly along mountain roads and forest edge.

Balangshan and Mengbishan
Golden-breasted Fulvetta (Lioparus chrysotis)

Golden-breasted Fulvetta

Lioparus chrysotis

A jewel-like member of fast-moving mixed flocks in bamboo and rhododendron.

Wawushan and Balangshan forest
Spotted Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla ocellata)

Spotted Laughingthrush

Ianthocincla ocellata

A large montane laughingthrush with bold white spotting and resonant calls.

Wawushan and Balangshan
Barred Laughingthrush (Trochalopteron lunulatum)
Chinese endemic

Barred Laughingthrush

Trochalopteron lunulatum

A handsome Chinese endemic of rhododendron, bamboo and upper forest.

Balangshan and Mengbishan
Giant Laughingthrush (Ianthocincla maxima)
Chinese endemic

Giant Laughingthrush

Ianthocincla maxima

A robust high-elevation Chinese endemic with loud, far-carrying calls.

Balangshan and Ruoergai
Chinese Fulvetta (Fulvetta striaticollis)
Chinese endemic

Chinese Fulvetta

Fulvetta striaticollis

A Chinese endemic moving through alpine scrub and forest edge in small parties.

Balangshan and northern Sichuan
Great Parrotbill (Conostoma aemodium)

Great Parrotbill

Conostoma aemodium

The largest parrotbill, favouring dense montane bamboo and often detected by its powerful calls.

Wawushan and Labahe
Crested Tit-warbler (Leptopoecile elegans)
Chinese endemic

Crested Tit-warbler

Leptopoecile elegans

A tiny, intensely coloured high-altitude specialist of conifers and scrub.

Balangshan and Mengbishan
White-browed Tit-warbler (Leptopoecile sophiae)

White-browed Tit-warbler

Leptopoecile sophiae

A jewel-like bird of high juniper and willow scrub.

Balangshan and Ruoergai scrub
Golden Bush Robin (Tarsiger chrysaeus)

Golden Bush Robin

Tarsiger chrysaeus

A bright but secretive inhabitant of mossy upper forest and rhododendron.

Labahe and Balangshan
White-browed Bush Robin (Tarsiger indicus)

White-browed Bush Robin

Tarsiger indicus

A quiet bird of dense rhododendron and upper conifer undergrowth.

Balangshan and Mengbishan
Himalayan Rubythroat (Calliope pectoralis)

Himalayan Rubythroat

Calliope pectoralis

A spectacular summer breeder of dense scrub near the treeline.

Balangshan alpine scrub
Chinese Rubythroat (Calliope tschebaiewi)
Chinese endemic

Chinese Rubythroat

Calliope tschebaiewi

A brilliant endemic breeding in dense scrub above the treeline.

Balangshan alpine scrub
Yellow-streaked Warbler (Phylloscopus armandii)

Yellow-streaked Warbler

Phylloscopus armandii

A frequent warbler of montane scrub and open conifer forest.

Balangshan, Jiuzhaigou and Ruoergai
Hume’s Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus humei)

Hume’s Leaf Warbler

Phylloscopus humei

A small highland leaf warbler common in conifers and willow scrub.

Balangshan and northern Sichuan
Greenish Warbler (Phylloscopus trochiloides)

Greenish Warbler

Phylloscopus trochiloides

A summer breeder in cool forest, often located by its rapid song.

Balangshan and northern Sichuan
Alpine Leaf Warbler (Phylloscopus occisinensis)

Alpine Leaf Warbler

Phylloscopus occisinensis

A high-altitude leaf warbler of low shrubs near the treeline.

Balangshan alpine scrub
Rufous-tailed Babbler (Moupinia poecilotis)
Chinese endemic

Rufous-tailed Babbler

Moupinia poecilotis

A Chinese endemic of dense alpine scrub that is frequently located by song.

Balangshan, Erlangshan and Mengbishan
Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler (Erythrogenys gravivox)
Chinese endemic

Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler

Erythrogenys gravivox

A large vocal babbler of bamboo and dense forest edge.

Balangshan and western Sichuan
Collared Grosbeak (Mycerobas affinis)

Collared Grosbeak

Mycerobas affinis

A bold yellow-and-black finch of high conifer forest.

Balangshan and Mengbishan
White-winged Grosbeak (Mycerobas carnipes)

White-winged Grosbeak

Mycerobas carnipes

A powerful high-mountain finch usually found in conifers or fruiting shrubs.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Baxi
Ground Tit (Pseudopodoces humilis)

Ground Tit

Pseudopodoces humilis

An unusual ground-dwelling Tibetan Plateau endemic that nests in burrows.

Ruoergai plateau
Tibetan Lark (Melanocorypha maxima)

Tibetan Lark

Melanocorypha maxima

A very large lark of open, windswept plateau grassland.

Ruoergai grasslands
White-rumped Snowfinch (Onychostruthus taczanowskii)

White-rumped Snowfinch

Onychostruthus taczanowskii

A plateau specialist often associated with pika colonies.

Ruoergai plateau
Rufous-necked Snowfinch (Pyrgilauda ruficollis)

Rufous-necked Snowfinch

Pyrgilauda ruficollis

A high-plateau snowfinch regularly associated with pika burrows.

Ruoergai Plateau
Brandt’s Mountain Finch (Leucosticte brandti)

Brandt’s Mountain Finch

Leucosticte brandti

A social high-altitude finch that feeds on open stony ground.

Balangshan and Ruoergai
Plain Mountain Finch (Leucosticte nemoricola)

Plain Mountain Finch

Leucosticte nemoricola

A flocking finch of exposed high-altitude ground.

Balangshan and Ruoergai
Przevalski’s Finch (Urocynchramus pylzowi)
Chinese endemic

Przevalski’s Finch

Urocynchramus pylzowi

The sole member of its family and a major Tibetan Plateau target.

Ruoergai plateau scrub
Streaked Rosefinch (Carpodacus rubicilloides)

Streaked Rosefinch

Carpodacus rubicilloides

A large rosefinch of alpine scrub, meadows and plateau edge.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Ruoergai
Common Rosefinch (Carpodacus erythrinus)

Common Rosefinch

Carpodacus erythrinus

A regular summer breeder in willow, scrub and open high valleys.

Balangshan, Jiuzhaigou and Ruoergai
Rosy Pipit (Anthus roseatus)

Rosy Pipit

Anthus roseatus

A breeding pipit of wet alpine meadow and plateau grassland.

Balangshan and Ruoergai
Grey-backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus)

Grey-backed Shrike

Lanius tephronotus

A common open-country hunter along high roads and plateau scrub.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Ruoergai
Chinese Grey Shrike (Lanius sphenocercus)

Chinese Grey Shrike

Lanius sphenocercus

A powerful open-country shrike found on wires, bushes and scattered plateau trees.

Ruoergai Plateau
Godlewski’s Bunting (Emberiza godlewskii)

Godlewski’s Bunting

Emberiza godlewskii

A regular bunting of rocky scrub, roadsides and open forest edge.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Ruoergai
Upland Buzzard (Buteo hemilasius)

Upland Buzzard

Buteo hemilasius

A characteristic large raptor of open plateau grassland and pika country.

Ruoergai Plateau
Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus)
Near Threatened

Bearded Vulture

Gypaetus barbatus

A huge mountain raptor often seen cruising high ridges and plateau cliffs.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Ruoergai
Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayensis)
Near Threatened

Himalayan Vulture

Gyps himalayensis

A huge plateau scavenger frequently seen circling mountain ridges and open grassland.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Ruoergai
Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos)

Golden Eagle

Aquila chrysaetos

A major alpine raptor regularly scanned for above ridges and open plateau.

Balangshan, Mengbishan and Ruoergai
Red-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax)

Red-billed Chough

Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax

Acrobatic flocks patrol cliffs, passes and open plateau country.

Balangshan and Ruoergai
Grandala (Grandala coelicolor)

Grandala

Grandala coelicolor

Electric-blue males enliven exposed alpine ridges and cliffs.

Balangshan and high western passes
Wallcreeper (Tichodroma muraria)

Wallcreeper

Tichodroma muraria

A unique crimson-winged bird that searches sheer rock faces for insects.

Balangshan cliffs
Snow Pigeon (Columba leuconota)

Snow Pigeon

Columba leuconota

A high-mountain pigeon often feeding around cliffs, tunnels and rocky alpine slopes.

Balangshan and western high passes
Alpine Accentor (Prunella collaris)

Alpine Accentor

Prunella collaris

A confiding bird of scree, road cuttings and high rocky slopes.

Balangshan high pass
Rufous-breasted Accentor (Prunella strophiata)

Rufous-breasted Accentor

Prunella strophiata

A regular bird of rhododendron, scrub and forest-edge clearings.

Balangshan and Mengbishan
Red-fronted Rosefinch (Carpodacus puniceus)

Red-fronted Rosefinch

Carpodacus puniceus

A richly coloured rosefinch of rocky alpine slopes and snowline vegetation.

Balangshan alpine zone
Pink-rumped Rosefinch (Carpodacus waltoni)
Chinese endemic

Pink-rumped Rosefinch

Carpodacus waltoni

A western Chinese rosefinch of alpine scrub and rocky slopes.

Balangshan and Ruoergai
Sharpe’s Rosefinch (Carpodacus verreauxii)
Chinese endemic

Sharpe’s Rosefinch

Carpodacus verreauxii

A range-restricted rosefinch of upper forest edge and scrub.

Balangshan and western Sichuan
Chinese White-browed Rosefinch (Carpodacus dubius)
Chinese endemic

Chinese White-browed Rosefinch

Carpodacus dubius

A Chinese endemic rosefinch of high scrub and open conifers.

Balangshan and Mengbishan
Dark-breasted Rosefinch (Carpodacus nipalensis)

Dark-breasted Rosefinch

Carpodacus nipalensis

A dark mountain rosefinch that feeds in bamboo and rhododendron.

Wawushan, Balangshan and Mengbishan
Yellow-billed Chough (Pyrrhocorax graculus)

Yellow-billed Chough

Pyrrhocorax graculus

A social alpine corvid often feeding around the highest road stops.

Balangshan high pass

Customise the route

Prioritise the birds that matter to you.

Send your dates, group size and most-wanted species. The final version can add rest time, photography hides or extra weather reserve days.

mawnehui33@gmail.comWhatsApp +86 13992284405