Mount Balangshan in Aba, Sichuan

Why is Mount Balangshan So Special?

The mountains above 4000 meters above sea level in the scenic spot are cold and weathered mountains. The mountains are steep, rugged, bare and dangerous. Debris slopes and heaps formed by falling rock debris can be seen everywhere. The road winding between them is the most dangerous road to the east of Aba Prefecture.

Where is Mount Balangshan

Balang Mountain is located at the junction of Xiaojin County East, Xiaojin County, Wenchuan County and Baoxing County, more than 200 kilometers away from Chengdu. Mount Balang is 5,040 meters above sea level and is called Balanla in Tibetan.

Main Attraction of Mount Balangshan

The upper and lower mountain roads and yakou areas of mt. Balang are more than 4000 meters above sea level and have steep slopes. however, the scenery is extremely beautiful. white clouds are like the sea, snow-capped mountains are continuous, and meadows are undulating. the "infinite scenery is on the perilous peak" that climbs over mt. Balang. the peak turns around, and it is dark from morning till night, with a long haze. "The autumn wind immediately reached the top of the mountain, with thousands of cliffs and ravines full of beauty. "I'm covered in clouds and clouds, and I'm in the blue sky and purple air." Climbing over mt. Balang, the peak turns round, and the misty clouds are dimly discernible. Looking at the top of the mountain, the white clouds are covered with long canyons, surging forward like a wind, surging forward, magnificent and spectacular. The valley is also densely covered with virgin forests, and wonderful usnea hung in the woods.

Lift up your eyes and look out into the distance. Qifeng rises, overlapping peaks and craggy cliffs. Along the way, the alpine meadow has beautiful scenery, like huge carpets covering the mountains, and herds of cattle and sheep are at ease. Between the blue sky and the white clouds, the vast sea of clouds floats on the mountainside, dividing the mighty mountain into two parts, the alpine meadow with colorful wild flowers above and the mysterious and deep primeval forest below. What a beautiful sight!

How to Visit Mount Balangshan

Self-driving is a good way to travel here.

The pass passed by the highway is 4,523 meters above sea level, which is one of the most famous passes in China. Driving through this place, you can enjoy the peak-to-peak turn of the highway between the mountain ridges on the plateau, and feel the danger of driving by yourself.

Best Time to Travel Mount Balangshan

The best travel time is summer and autumn .

Walking in summer and autumn is the best time and way to enjoy Mount Balang. It takes 4 hours to reach it from Chengdu, and the hiking route is about 15 kilometers. The terrain here is steep. It is generally difficult for us to climb to the top of the mountain. Starting in the morning, we can enjoy the magnificent sunrise of Mount Balang.

How To Get  There

You need to get to Xiaojin County first.

• Take the Chengdu-Xiaojin bus, and get off at about 6:30 a.m. every morning. The bus will take 6-8 hours. It will pass Dujiangyan, Yingxiu, Wolong and Balang Mountain scenic spots along the way. The fare is 175 yuan/person. The bus can only reach Xiaojin County, and then take a taxi or chartered bus to get there. Tea shop sub-station hotline 028-87506610, Xiaojin station hotline 0837-2781989
• For those who can take small noodles, the fare is about 110 yuan per person. Other conditions are basically the same as those of the regular bus.

Useful Travel Tips

Sichuan Balangshan Birdwatching Guide

Overview of Balangshan Birding Hotspot

Balangshan (巴朗山) sits in the transition zone between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, within the Wolong National Nature Reserve (卧龙国家级自然保护区). Elevation rises sharply from ~2000m to over 4480m, creating one of China’s most complete vertical ecosystems. Forests shift from evergreen broadleaf at lower levels to coniferous forest, alpine shrub, and high-altitude scree slopes. More than 300 bird species have been recorded here, including iconic pheasants such as Chinese Monal (绿尾虹雉) and Blood Pheasant (血雉). Balangshan is widely known as one of western China’s top pheasant birding destinations.

Location & Access

Located on the border of Wenchuan County (汶川县) and Xiaojin County (小金县) in Aba Prefecture, about 180 km from Chengdu near Wolong Town (卧龙镇). Elevation ranges from ~2000m to 4480m. Habitats include lowland broadleaf forest, mid-elevation mixed forest, alpine meadow, and rocky slopes. Entry is generally free, with most birding along public roads and trails.

Best Season & Daily Timing

Spring (late April–mid May) is the peak season: Chinese Monal (绿尾虹雉) displays actively, Blood Pheasant (血雉) forms groups, and forest bird diversity peaks. Summer–autumn (June–October) brings breeding activity, alpine flowers, and migrant passage. Winter (Nov–Mar) offers snow scenery and high-altitude species like Snow Partridge (雪鹑) and Tibetan Snowcock (藏雪鸡).

Daily rhythm: 06:30–10:00 is the prime bird activity window (pheasants, forest flocks). 16:00–18:00 is second peak (feeding and movement). Midday is quiet and better for resting or valley birding.

Key Birding Sites (Low to High Elevation)

Lama Temple (喇嘛寺) — 1500–2000m

Low-elevation forest with bamboo, streams, and mixed broadleaf habitat. Key birds include Red-billed Leiothrix (红腹锦鸡), Golden Bush Robin (金胸歌鸲), Rufous-breasted Accentor (栗腹歌鸲), and laughingthrushes. Easy 2 km walking loops around temple and forest edges.

Cat Nose Ridge (猫鼻梁观景台) — 2800m

Open forest edge near Siguniang Scenic Area (四姑娘山景区). Good mix of forest birds and raptors. Species include White-browed Tit-warbler (凤头雀莺), White-browed Scimitar Babbler (白脸䴓), Blood Pheasant (血雉), Eurasian Buzzard (普通鵟), and Crested Goshawk (凤头鹰).

BeiMuPing (贝母坪) — 3000–3500m

Core pheasant zone with mixed conifer forest and alpine meadow. Key species: Blood Pheasant (血雉), Chinese Monal (绿尾虹雉), White-eared Pheasant (白马鸡), Blue Whistling Thrush (蓝大翅鸲), Tibetan Rosefinch (棕朱雀). One of the highest-density birding areas.

Old Flower Rock Road (花岩子隧道老路) — 3500–3800m

Closed road accessible on foot. Best monal habitat. Key species: Chinese Monal (绿尾虹雉), Tibetan Snowcock (藏雪鸡), Blood Pheasant (血雉), Grandala (蓝大翅鸲), Rufous-breasted Accentor (领岩鹨). Requires quiet movement and early arrival.

Balangshan Pass (垭口) — 4210–4480m

Alpine plateau with open grassland and rock fields. Key birds: Tibetan Snowcock (藏雪鸡), Snow Partridge (雪鹑), Bearded Vulture (胡兀鹫), Golden Eagle (金雕), and alpine corvids. Windy and cold; altitude awareness required.

Signature Bird Species

Chinese Monal (绿尾虹雉)

National first-class protected species. Metallic blue-green plumage with long tail. Best at BeiMuPing and Old Road. Morning and evening activity peak.

Blood Pheasant (血雉)

Highly visible group pheasant with red-green plumage. Common in mid-elevation forests and edges. Often seen feeding in flocks.

White-eared Pheasant (白马鸡)

Large social pheasant of mid-altitude forests, often noisy and active in groups.

Blue Whistling Thrush (蓝大翅鸲)

Bright blue winter bird at higher elevations, often feeding on berries.

Tibetan Snowcock (藏雪鸡)

High-altitude specialist of rocky slopes near the pass.

Golden Bush Robin (金胸歌鸲)

Low-elevation forest songbird, highly vocal in breeding season.

Transport

Self-driving from Chengdu (成都) via Dujiangyan–Wenchuan–G350 China Panda Road to Wolong takes about 3.5 hours. All birding sites lie along this corridor. Parking is available roadside. The Old Flower Rock Road section is walking-only.

Accommodation & Food

Main base: Wolong Town (卧龙镇) with guesthouses (150–300 CNY range), closest to Lama Temple and mid-route sites. Cat Nose Ridge area has basic lodges. Siguniang Town (四姑娘山镇) offers higher comfort.

Food is Sichuan-style with yak meat, wild vegetables, and mountain dishes. Average 50–80 CNY per meal. Carry water and snacks for high-altitude sections.

Nearby Attractions

• Fairy Pool Scenic Area in Jiuzhaigou
• Rize Valley in Jiuzhaigou
• Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic
• The First Bend of Yellow River in Aba
• Tagong Temple in Kangding City
• Chonggu Monastery in Daocheng Yading

Recommended Sichuan Tour Packages

• 1 Day Chengdu Panda and Leshan Giant Buddha Tour
• 1 Day Chengdu Highlights Tour with Panda Base
• 2 Days Chengdu Tea Culture Tour with Giant Panda Experience
• 3 Days Chengdu & Dujiangyan Panda Base Volunteer Tour
• 4 Days Mount Siguniang Sightseeing Tour from Chengdu

Edited by Doreen/张洋