11 Days Xinjiang Birding Tour

Distance: ~120–160 km total driving
Driving Time: ~3–4 hrs
Altitude: 900m → 1,800–2,500m
Road Conditions: Asphalt highways + mountain access roads

Today marks the beginning of full birding exploration in Xinjiang (新疆), combining wetlands and mountain ecosystems in a single day.

Morning – Baihu Lake (白湖湿地)

We start early at Baihu Lake (白湖), an important wetland system west of Urumqi (乌鲁木齐). This site is one of the best early-season waterbird locations in the region, attracting both resident and migratory species.

Key targets include:

• White-headed Duck (白头硬尾鸭)
• Ferruginous Duck (白眼潜鸭)
• Common Pochard (红头潜鸭)
• Ruddy Shelduck (赤麻鸭)
• Black-necked Grebe (黑颈䴙䴘)
• Northern Shoveler (琵嘴鸭)
• Gadwall (赤膀鸭)
• Bearded Reedling (震旦鸦雀)
• Isabelline Wheatear (漠地石䳭)

The wetland edges also provide excellent chances for raptors such as Western Marsh Harrier and Steppe Eagle, especially in open flight.

Midday – Transition to Nanshan Mountains (南山)

After wetland birding, we drive south toward the foothills of the Tianshan Mountains (天山), where landscapes quickly shift from semi-desert to alpine meadows and forest edges.

Lunch will be taken en route or at a mountain village.

Afternoon – Nanshan Mountain Birding (南山区域)

The Nanshan area offers rich montane bird diversity with steep elevation gradients, making it one of the most productive birding zones near Urumqi.

Key species include:

• Golden Eagle (金雕)
• Himalayan Vulture (高山兀鹫)
• Booted Eagle (靴隼雕)
• Eurasian Sparrowhawk (雀鹰)
• Upland Buzzard (毛脚鵟)
• Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker (三趾啄木鸟)
• Coal Tit (煤山雀)
• Azure Tit (蓝山雀)
• Horned Lark (角百灵)
• Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush (红尾岩鹨)
• Black-throated Accentor (黑喉岩鹨)
• Yellowhammer (黄鹀)

This area is especially good for mixed flocks of passerines moving through mountain forest edges and open slopes.

Evening – Transfer to Shihezi (石河子)

After a full day of birding, we continue driving northwest toward Shihezi (石河子), passing open desert-steppe landscapes typical of northern Xinjiang.

Dinner will be arranged in town, followed by rest.

Highlights: Wetland birding at Baihu Lake, first mountain raptors, transition from desert to alpine habitats
Accommodation: Hotel in Shihezi

Distance: ~280–320 km total driving
Driving Time: ~4–5 hrs
Altitude: ~450m → 500m
Road Conditions: Asphalt highways + desert roads + wetland access tracks

Today we move deeper into northern Xinjiang (新疆), crossing steppe, agricultural zones, and desert fringes while combining migration stopovers with desert birding environments.

Morning – Mushroom Lake (蘑菇湖湿地) near Shihezi

We begin the day at Mushroom Lake (蘑菇湖), one of the most productive wetland sites in this region. Early morning bird activity is often excellent, especially for waterbirds and migrating shorebirds.

Key target species include:

• Whooper Swan (大天鹅)
• Ferruginous Duck (白眼潜鸭)
• Smew (白秋沙鸭)
• Goosander (普通秋沙鸭)
• Black Tern (黑燕鸥)
• White-winged Black Tern (白翅浮鸥)
• Common Redshank (红脚鹬)
• Ruff (流苏鹬)
• Caspian Gull (里海鸥)
• Pallas’s Fish Eagle (白尾海雕)
• White-tailed Eagle (白尾海雕亚种群)
• European Bee-eater (蓝喉蜂虎)
• Isabelline Shrike (楔尾伯劳)

Reedbeds and lake margins are also good for warblers and buntings during migration periods.

Midday – Drive to Karamay (克拉玛依)

We begin a long but scenic drive westward into increasingly arid landscapes. The terrain transitions from irrigated farmland to classic Gobi Desert (戈壁) habitats.

Lunch will be taken en route at a roadside town.

Afternoon – Arrival & Desert Birding around Karamay (克拉玛依)

Karamay is surrounded by desert, gravel plains, and Euphrates poplar forests, creating excellent conditions for specialized desert species.

Key target species include:

• Eurasian Scops Owl (领角鸮)
• Pallid Scops Owl (灰林鸮)
• Saxaul Sparrow (沙拐枣麻雀)
• Turkestan Shrike (突厥伯劳)
• Lesser Kestrel (黄爪隼)
• Sykes’s Warbler (赛克斯苇莺)
• Desert Wheatear (沙石䳭)
• Isabelline Wheatear (漠地石䳭)
• Common Nightingale (夜莺)
• Bluethroat (蓝喉歌鸲)
• White-winged Woodpecker (白翅啄木鸟)

This is one of the best areas to observe true desert-adapted passerines in Xinjiang.

Evening – Desert Sunset Birding & Rest

We may conduct a short evening birding session in desert scrub or poplar woodland depending on conditions, targeting owls and nocturnal activity.

Dinner and overnight rest in Karamay (克拉玛依).

Highlights: Migrating waterbirds at Mushroom Lake, first desert ecosystem transition, owl and desert passerine search
Accommodation: Karamay area

Distance: ~260–300 km total driving
Driving Time: ~4–5 hrs
Altitude: ~500m → 480m
Road Conditions: Asphalt highways + desert-steppe roads

Today we move northward toward Altay region (阿勒泰地区), where desert gradually gives way to steppe and wetland mosaics.

Morning – Karamay Desert Edge Birding

Before departure, we spend time in desert-steppe habitats around Karamay (克拉玛依) searching for late-morning active species.

Key target species include:

• Steppe Eagle (草原雕)
• Long-legged Buzzard (棕尾鵟)
• Demoiselle Crane (蓑羽鹤)
• Asian Desert Warbler (沙漠林莺)
• Booted Warbler (靴篱莺)
• Greater Short-toed Lark (小沙百灵)
• Eurasian Skylark (云雀)
• Isabelline Wheatear (漠地石䳭)
• Pallas’s Sandgrouse (毛腿沙鸡)
• Saker Falcon (猎隼)

Desert margins also provide chances for larks, wheatears, and raptors in flight.

Midday – Drive to Fuhai (福海)

We travel north toward Fuhai (福海县), entering a more open steppe and wetland landscape influenced by the Ertix River system (额尔齐斯河流域).

Lunch will be taken on the road.

Afternoon – Arrival Birding in Fuhai (福海)

Fuhai offers a mix of riverine forests, wetlands, and farmland edges, making it highly diverse for passerines and raptors.

Key target species include:

• European Roller (欧亚佛法僧)
• Red-backed Shrike (红背伯劳)
• Turkestan Shrike (突厥伯劳)
• Isabelline Shrike (楔尾伯劳)
• Bearded Reedling (震旦鸦雀)
• Common Whitethroat (灰头莺)
• Lesser Whitethroat (白喉林莺)
• Blyth’s Reed Warbler (布氏苇莺)
• Fieldfare (田鸫)
• Mistle Thrush (槲鸫)
• Spotted Flycatcher (斑鹟)

Wetland edges may also hold waterbirds and waders, depending on seasonal conditions.

Evening – Local Wetland Birding

Short evening session near reedbeds or river corridors to maximize raptor and owl chances.

Dinner and overnight in Fuhai (福海).

Highlights: Desert raptors and sandgrouse, transition to northern wetlands, mixed passerine diversity in Fuhai
Accommodation: Fuhai area

Distance: ~220–260 km total driving
Driving Time: ~4–5 hrs
Altitude: ~480m → 800–1,200m
Road Conditions: Asphalt highways + forest access roads + steppe tracks

Today we leave the open steppe and move north into the Altay Mountains (阿勒泰山脉) region, where river valleys, boreal forest edges, and wetlands create excellent conditions for raptors, woodpeckers, and forest passerines.

Morning – Birding around Fuhai (福海) departure area

Before leaving, we explore nearby wetlands and farmland edges for any remaining target species.

Key species include:

• Demoiselle Crane (蓑羽鹤)
• Steppe Eagle (草原雕)
• Long-legged Buzzard (棕尾鵟)
• Great Grey Shrike (灰伯劳)
• Turkestan Shrike (突厥伯劳)
• Booted Warbler (靴篱莺)
• Paddyfield Warbler (稻田苇莺)
• Common Chiffchaff (叽喳柳莺)
• European Bee-eater (蓝喉蜂虎)
• European Roller (欧亚佛法僧)

Open habitats often still hold migrating larks, buntings, and pipits.

Midday – Drive to Altay (阿勒泰)

We continue northward through increasingly greener landscapes, entering the foothills of the Altay Mountains (阿勒泰山). The environment shifts noticeably toward forests and river systems.

Lunch will be taken en route.

Afternoon – Arrival Birding in Altay (阿勒泰)

Altay is one of Xinjiang’s richest forest-edge birding regions, with mixed taiga, river valleys, and rocky slopes.

Key target species include:

• Eurasian Scops Owl (领角鸮)
• Long-eared Owl (长耳鸮)
• Eurasian Hobby (燕隼)
• Red-footed Falcon (红脚隼)
• White-backed Woodpecker (白背啄木鸟)
• Grey-headed Woodpecker (灰头绿啄木鸟)
• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (小斑啄木鸟)
• Azure Tit (蓝山雀)
• Paddyfield Warbler (稻田苇莺)
• Great Reed Warbler (大苇莺)
• Common Rosefinch (普通朱雀)

River corridors may also hold Goosander (普通秋沙鸭) and Common Goldeneye (鹊鸭) depending on season.

Evening – Forest edge exploration

Short evening birding session around forest edges or river valleys, focusing on owls and crepuscular raptors.

Dinner and overnight in Altay (阿勒泰).

Highlights: Transition into Altay Mountains, woodpecker diversity, raptors and owls in forest-edge habitat
Accommodation: Altay area

Distance: ~160–200 km total driving
Driving Time: ~3–4 hrs
Altitude: ~800m → 500–700m
Road Conditions: Asphalt roads + forest tracks + river valley routes

Today we travel westward along the lower slopes of the Altay Mountains (阿勒泰山脉), following river systems and mixed forest corridors toward Burqin (布尔津).

Morning – Altay forest & river birding

We begin with birding around forest edges and river valleys near Altay (阿勒泰), searching for forest specialists and lingering migrants.

Key species include:

• Black Woodpecker (黑啄木鸟)
• White-backed Woodpecker (白背啄木鸟)
• Eurasian Scops Owl (领角鸮)
• Great Spotted Woodpecker (大斑啄木鸟)
• Red-flanked Bluetail (蓝歌鸲)
• Siberian Rubythroat (红喉歌鸲)
• Common Chaffinch (苍头燕雀)
• Hawfinch (锡嘴雀)
• Common Crossbill (交嘴雀)
• Azure Tit (蓝山雀)
• Coal Tit (煤山雀)

Riverine habitats may still hold waterbirds and gulls, especially in quieter stretches.

Midday – Drive toward Burqin (布尔津)

We continue through scenic valleys, conifer forests, and open steppe transitions. This is one of the most beautiful driving sections of the tour.

Lunch will be taken en route.

Afternoon – Arrival birding in Burqin (布尔津)

Burqin is famous for its mosaic habitats: rivers, forests, wetlands, and rocky hills, making it one of Xinjiang’s top birding hotspots.

Key target species include:

• Black Stork (黑鹳)
• Eurasian Hobby (燕隼)
• Little Owl (小鸮)
• White-backed Woodpecker (白背啄木鸟)
• Grey-headed Woodpecker (灰头绿啄木鸟)
• Azure Tit (蓝山雀)
• Turkestan Shrike (突厥伯劳)
• Red-backed Shrike (红背伯劳)
• Eurasian Golden Oriole (金黄鹂)
• Fieldfare (田鸫)
• Mistle Thrush (槲鸫)
• Spotted Flycatcher (斑鹟)

Wetland edges and riverbanks also offer good chances for Goosander (普通秋沙鸭) and Goldeneye (鹊鸭).

Evening – River valley birding

Short evening exploration along forest and river edges, ideal for owls, shrikes, and late-active passerines.

Dinner and overnight in Burqin (布尔津).

Highlights: Altay forest birding, rich woodpecker diversity, scenic river valleys, arrival into Burqin hotspot region
Accommodation: Burqin area

Distance: ~80–150 km (local birding loops)
Driving Time: ~2–4 hrs (intermittent driving between sites)
Altitude: ~500–800m
Road Conditions: Asphalt roads + forest tracks + river valley dirt roads

Today is a full exploration day in one of Xinjiang (新疆)’s richest birding regions, combining forests, rivers, wetlands, and mountain foothills around Burqin (布尔津). The diversity of habitats makes this one of the most productive birding days of the entire tour.

Morning – Burqin Magic Forest (布尔津魔幻森林)

We begin in the forested river valleys, where dense woodland and mixed taiga create ideal conditions for woodpeckers, tits, and forest raptors.

Key target species include:

• Black Woodpecker (黑啄木鸟)
• Grey-headed Woodpecker (灰头绿啄木鸟)
• White-backed Woodpecker (白背啄木鸟)
• Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (小斑啄木鸟)
• Eurasian Scops Owl (领角鸮)
• Little Owl (小鸮)
• Eurasian Golden Oriole (金黄鹂)
• Red-backed Shrike (红背伯劳)
• Turkestan Shrike (突厥伯劳)
• Azure Tit (蓝山雀)
• Blyth’s Reed Warbler (布氏苇莺)
• Common Chiffchaff (叽喳柳莺)
• Spotted Flycatcher (斑鹟)

Forest edges are especially active in early morning light.

Midday – Chong Hu’er Forest (冲乎尔林区)

We continue to a nearby forest zone with more open clearings and shrub-steppe edges.

Key target species include:

• Ortolan Bunting (黄鹀)
• Pine Bunting (松雀鹀)
• Yellowhammer (黄鹀)
• Rock Bunting (岩鹀)
• Common Rosefinch (普通朱雀)
• Great Rosefinch (大朱雀)
• Common Rock Thrush (岩鹟)
• Fieldfare (田鸫)
• Mistle Thrush (槲鸫)
• Black Redstart (黑红尾鸲)

Mixed flocks often move through forest edges and rocky slopes.

Afternoon – Wetlands & River Corridors

We explore river systems and wetlands around Burqin for waterbirds and raptors.

Possible species include:

• Black Stork (黑鹳)
• Goosander (普通秋沙鸭)
• Common Goldeneye (鹊鸭)
• Eurasian Hobby (燕隼)
• Eurasian Sparrowhawk (雀鹰)
• Common Sandpiper (矶鹬)
• Common Greenshank (青脚鹬)

Evening – Burqin riverside birding

Final short birding session along the riverbank, targeting owls, shrikes, and dusk-active species.

Dinner and overnight in Burqin (布尔津).

Highlights: Full forest birding immersion, woodpecker diversity, bunting hotspots, mixed forest–wetland ecosystems
Accommodation: Burqin area

Distance: ~220–260 km total driving
Driving Time: ~4–5 hrs
Altitude: ~500m → 400–600m
Road Conditions: Asphalt highways + wetland access roads + steppe tracks

Today we gradually leave the forest zone and move toward the Ertix River basin (额尔齐斯河流域) and northern wetland systems near Beitun (北屯), one of the most important waterbird regions in northern Xinjiang (新疆).

Morning – Final birding around Burqin (布尔津)

We start with a last morning session to search for any missing species before departure.

Key targets include:

• Eurasian Scops Owl (领角鸮)
• White-backed Woodpecker (白背啄木鸟)
• Grey-headed Woodpecker (灰头绿啄木鸟)
• Azure Tit (蓝山雀)
• Turkestan Shrike (突厥伯劳)
• Red-backed Shrike (红背伯劳)
• Fieldfare (田鸫)
• Spotted Flycatcher (斑鹟)

After birding, we begin the drive south.

Midday – Drive to Beitun (北屯)

We travel through open steppe landscapes, farmland edges, and river valleys following the Ertix River system (额尔齐斯河) corridor.

Lunch will be taken en route.

Afternoon – Arrival birding at Ulungur River & Lake (乌伦古河/乌伦古湖)

This region is one of the top wetland complexes in northern Xinjiang, attracting large numbers of breeding and migratory waterbirds.

Key target species include:

• Mute Swan (疣鼻天鹅)
• Ruddy Shelduck (赤麻鸭)
• Common Shelduck (翘鼻麻鸭)
• White-headed Duck (白头硬尾鸭)
• Common Pochard (红头潜鸭)
• Slavonian Grebe (凤头䴙䴘)
• Black-necked Grebe (黑颈䴙䴘)
• Pied Avocet (反嘴鹬)
• Black-winged Stilt (黑翅长脚鹬)
• Little Tern (小燕鸥)
• White-winged Black Tern (白翅浮鸥)
• Whiskered Tern (须浮鸥)

Reedbeds also hold warblers, buntings, and shrikes.

Evening – Wetland sunset birding

We end the day with a sunset session over reedbeds and lake edges, ideal for raptors and waterbird movement.

Dinner and overnight in Beitun (北屯).

Highlights: Final Burqin forest birding, major Ertix River wetlands, rich waterbird diversity at Ulungur system
Accommodation: Beitun area

Distance: ~260–320 km total driving
Driving Time: ~5–6 hrs
Altitude: ~400–800m
Road Conditions: Asphalt highways + desert-steppe roads + oasis corridors

Today we leave the wetland-rich Ulungur River system (乌伦古河流域) and travel south toward the Gobi desert–steppe transition zone, one of the best areas in Xinjiang (新疆) for desert specialists, ground jays, and open-country raptors.

Morning – Birding around Beitun (北屯) wetlands

A final short session in reedbeds and lakeshore habitats before departure.

Key target species include:

• White-headed Duck (白头硬尾鸭)
• Common Pochard (红头潜鸭)
• Ruddy Shelduck (赤麻鸭)
• Whiskered Tern (须浮鸥)
• White-winged Black Tern (白翅浮鸥)
• Black-necked Grebe (黑颈䴙䴘)
• Eurasian Marsh Harrier (沼泽鹞)
• Great Reed Warbler (大苇莺)
• Common Reed Bunting (芦鹀)

Midday – Drive toward Qiakuertu (恰库尔图)

We begin a long but scenic drive through open steppe, semi-desert, and rocky plateau landscapes. This transition zone is excellent for raptors and desert passerines.

Lunch will be taken en route.

Afternoon – Arrival birding in Qiakuertu (恰库尔图) desert-steppe

This area marks the start of classic Gobi (戈壁) habitat, with sparse vegetation and wide horizons.

Key target species include:

• Mongolian Ground Jay (蒙古地鸦)
• Saker Falcon (猎隼)
• Steppe Eagle (草原雕)
• Upland Buzzard (毛脚鵟)
• Pallas’s Sandgrouse (毛腿沙鸡)
• Isabelline Wheatear (漠地石䳭)
• Desert Wheatear (沙䳭)
• Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin (红尾鸲鸲)
• Mongolian Finch (蒙古朱雀)
• Saxaul Sparrow (梭梭雀)
• Spanish Sparrow (黑顶麻雀)

Mammals may include Mongolian Wild Ass (蒙古野驴) and occasionally Corsac Fox (沙狐).

Evening – Desert sunset scan

We scan open steppe and desert flats for raptors and ground jays during golden hour.

Dinner and overnight in Qiakuertu (恰库尔图).

Highlights: Desert steppe transition, Mongolian Ground Jay, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, open-country raptors
Accommodation: Qiakuertu area

Distance: ~450–520 km total driving
Driving Time: ~6–8 hrs
Altitude: ~600m → 900m
Road Conditions: Asphalt highways + desert highways + occasional steppe roads

Today we complete a long return journey to Urumqi (乌鲁木齐), crossing vast desert landscapes, dry basins, and mountain foothills of the Tianshan Mountains (天山). This is one of the best days for desert-adapted species and large raptors.

Morning – Desert birding departure

Early morning scanning around Qiakuertu before departure.

Key target species include:

• Mongolian Ground Jay (蒙古地鸦)
• Saker Falcon (猎隼)
• Steppe Eagle (草原雕)
• Upland Buzzard (毛脚鵟)
• Pallas’s Sandgrouse (毛腿沙鸡)
• Chukar Partridge (石鸡)
• Desert Wheatear (沙䳭)
• Isabelline Wheatear (漠地石䳭)

Midday – Long drive through desert landscapes

We travel across remote desert basins and salt flats, with occasional stops for raptors and larks.

Possible sightings en route:

• Long-legged Buzzard (棕尾鵟)
• Eurasian Kestrel (红隼)
• Mongolian Lark (蒙古百灵)
• Horned Lark (角百灵)

Lunch will be taken on the road.

Afternoon – Final approach to Urumqi (乌鲁木齐)

As we approach the Tianshan foothills, landscapes become more varied again, with chances for alpine raptors.

Possible species:

• Golden Eagle (金雕)
• Bearded Vulture (胡兀鹫)
• Himalayan Vulture (高山兀鹫)

Evening – Arrival in Urumqi 

Arrive in the city and check into hotel. Free time for rest or optional evening walk.

Dinner in the city.

Highlights: Long desert crossing, final raptor scans, return to Tianshan foothills
Accommodation: Urumqi area

Distance: Local transfer only
Driving Time: ~1 hr
Altitude: ~900m
Road Conditions: Urban roads

Morning – Departure from Urumqi 

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Urumqi Airport (乌鲁木齐地窝堡国际机场) for your onward flight.

If time allows before departure, short optional birding can be arranged at nearby parks or wetland edges, depending on season and schedule.

Highlights: End of Xinjiang birding journey, optional city birding, airport transfer
Tour Ends