20 Days Eastern China Birding Tour

Distance: ~500 km
Driving Time: ~6–6.5 hrs
Altitude: ~50–300 m
Road Conditions: Expressway + rural highways + countryside roads

After early morning birding in Shanghai wetlands (if time allows), begin the long drive southwest toward Wuyuan (婺源), one of China’s most scenic rural birding regions, famous for rice paddies, rivers, and forest valleys.

The journey itself crosses productive agricultural landscapes and river systems, with opportunistic roadside birding stops possible along reservoirs and farmland edges.

Target species along the route and arrival zones include:
Eastern Spot-billed Duck (斑嘴鸭), Grey Heron (苍鹭), Little Egret (小白鹭), Eurasian Hoopoe (戴胜), Black Drongo (黑卷尾), Barn Swallow (家燕), Red-rumped Swallow (金腰燕), Oriental Magpie (灰喜鹊), Long-tailed Shrike (棕背伯劳), Common Kestrel (红隼), Pallas’s Reed Bunting (芦苇鹀), Light-vented Bulbul (白头鹎), Oriental Turtle Dove (山斑鸠), Spotted Dove (珠颈斑鸠).

Late afternoon arrival in Wuyuan (婺源), check in and rest.

Highlights: Transitional landscapes, rural China scenery, migration corridor birding
Accommodation: Hotel in Wuyuan

Distance: Local birding radius ~20–80 km
Driving Time: ~2–3 hrs total (site transfers)
Altitude: ~80–400 m
Road Conditions: Rural roads + village lanes + forest tracks

After breakfast, spend a full day exploring the rich mosaic habitats around Wuyuan (婺源), including rice paddies, bamboo groves, river valleys, secondary forest, and small reservoirs. This is one of eastern China’s most productive mixed habitat birding areas, offering excellent species diversity and photography opportunities.

Morning birding focuses on river valleys and farmland edges, where waterfowl, raptors, and open-country species are active. Midday explores forest edges and bamboo thickets for babblers, parrotbills, and woodpeckers. Late afternoon is best for forest interior and hillside species.

Target species include:
Mandarin Duck (鸳鸯), Scaly-sided Merganser (中华秋沙鸭), Black-winged Kite (黑翅鸢), Eastern Buzzard (普通鵟), Grey-headed Woodpecker (灰头啄木鸟), Great Spotted Woodpecker (大斑啄木鸟), Common Kingfisher (普通翠鸟), Chinese Hwamei (画眉), Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler (灰侧噪鹛), Rufous-capped Babbler (棕头钩嘴鹛), Dusky Fulvetta (暗色绣眼鸟), Indochinese Yuhina (华南绣眼鸟), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺), Yellow-browed Warbler (黄眉柳莺), Chinese Bamboo Partridge (中华竹鸡), Silver Pheasant (白鹇), Red-flanked Bluetail (红胁蓝尾鸲), White-crowned Forktail (白冠燕尾), Daurian Redstart (北红尾鸲), Black-collared Starling (黑领椋鸟), Chinese Grosbeak (中华朱雀), White-rumped Munia (白腰文鸟).

Return to hotel in Wuyuan for overnight.

Highlights: Rich forest–farmland mosaic, Scaly-sided Merganser, diverse babblers & parrotbills
Accommodation: Hotel in Wuyuan

Distance: ~270 km
Driving Time: ~3.5 hrs
Altitude: ~50–200 m
Road Conditions: Expressway + secondary highways + lake basin roads

After early morning birding in Wuyuan (optional short session near rivers or forest edges), depart for Jiujiang (九江). The drive passes through agricultural plains, lakes, and wetland systems along the Yangtze River basin, offering opportunistic birding stops en route.

Afternoon arrival in Jiujiang allows optional short birding near lakeshores or marsh edges, especially productive during migration and winter seasons.

Target species include:
Eurasian Spoonbill (白琵鹭), Grey Heron (苍鹭), Great Cormorant (普通鸬鹚), Black-crowned Night Heron (夜鹭), Common Moorhen (黑水鸡), Eurasian Wigeon (赤颈鸭), Northern Pintail (针尾鸭), Eastern Spot-billed Duck (斑嘴鸭), Black-winged Kite (黑翅鸢), Eurasian Kestrel (红隼), Barn Swallow (家燕), Yellow-browed Warbler (黄眉柳莺), Dusky Thrush (灰背鸫), Chinese Blackbird (乌鸫), Oriental Magpie-Robin (鹊鸲), White Wagtail (白鹡鸰), Grey-backed Thrush (灰背鸫).

Evening arrival and rest in Jiujiang.

Highlights: Yangtze basin wetlands, migration stopover habitats, lake-edge birding
Accommodation: Hotel in Jiujiang

Distance: ~420 km
Driving Time: ~5.5–6 hrs
Altitude: ~20–200 m
Road Conditions: Expressway + provincial roads + wetland access roads

After early morning birding around Northern Poyang Lake (鄱阳湖北部湿地), continue toward Dongzhai National Nature Reserve (董寨自然保护区) in Henan. The route follows the Yangtze floodplain and central China agricultural belt, with excellent opportunities for wetland and roadside birding stops.

Northern Poyang Lake is China’s most important wintering wetland, where vast flocks of waterbirds concentrate in shallow lakes, rice fields, and marshes.

Target species at Poyang Lake include:
Siberian Crane (白鹤), White-naped Crane (白枕鹤), Hooded Crane (白头鹤), Swan Goose (鸿雁), Tundra Bean Goose (豆雁), Ruddy Shelduck (赤麻鸭), Ferruginous Duck (白眼潜鸭), Northern Pintail (针尾鸭), Eurasian Wigeon (赤颈鸭), Black-faced Spoonbill (黑脸琵鹭), Eurasian Spoonbill (白琵鹭), Grey Heron (苍鹭), Great Cormorant (普通鸬鹚), Common Kingfisher (普通翠鸟), Black-crowned Night Heron (夜鹭), Yellow-browed Warbler (黄眉柳莺), Dusky Thrush (灰背鸫), Chinese Grosbeak (中华朱雀), Masked Laughingthrush (黑脸噪鹛), White-browed Laughingthrush (白眉噪鹛), various buntings.

Afternoon drive continues toward Dongzhai. If time allows, short roadside forest edge birding upon arrival. Overnight in Dongzhai.

Highlights: Large crane flocks, iconic East Asian wetland spectacle, migration bottleneck
Accommodation: Lodge/guesthouse in Dongzhai

Distance: ~520 km
Driving Time: ~6–6.5 hrs
Altitude: ~50–300 m
Road Conditions: Expressway + rural highways + wetland basin roads

Morning birding in Dongzhai Nature Reserve, one of central China’s most important forest reserves for breeding and resident birds. The habitat includes mixed broadleaf forest, bamboo stands, rivers, and farmland edges, supporting both forest specialists and wetland-adapted species.

Target species in Dongzhai include:
Reeves’s Pheasant (白冠长尾雉), Crested Ibis (朱鹮), Brown Crake (红脚田鸡), Collared Owlet (领鸺鹠), Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker (小啄木鸟), Great Spotted Woodpecker (大斑啄木鸟), Grey Treepie (灰树鹊), Collared Crow (白颈鸦), Light-vented Bulbul (白头鹎), Brown-breasted Bulbul (褐胸鹎), Japanese Tit (日本山雀), Silver-throated Tit (银喉长尾山雀), Black-throated Bushtit (黑喉山雀), Rufous-faced Warbler (棕脸鹟莺), Vinous-throated Parrotbill (棕头鸦雀), Swinhoe’s White-eye (暗绿绣眼鸟), White-crowned Forktail (白冠燕尾), Red-flanked Bluetail (红胁蓝尾鸲), Chinese Hwamei (画眉), Masked Laughingthrush (黑脸噪鹛), Dusky Thrush (灰背鸫), various buntings.

After late morning birding, begin long transfer toward the Poyang Lake basin (Wucheng area). The drive passes agricultural plains and wetland corridors, with occasional roadside birding stops possible.

Evening arrival in Wucheng for overnight stay.

Highlights: Crested Ibis habitat, mixed forest birding, transition into major wetland ecosystem
Accommodation: Hotel in Wucheng (Poyang Lake area)

Distance: Local birding + transfer within Poyang Lake (鄱阳湖) basin
Driving Time: Minimal driving (wetland site transfers only)
Altitude: ~10–50 m
Road Conditions: Flat wetland roads + embankments + lake access tracks

Begin the day with an early morning birding session in the Poyang Lake Wetland (鄱阳湖湿地) system, one of Asia’s most important wintering and migration stopover sites. Dawn hours are critical, when large flocks of cranes, geese, and ducks are actively feeding, taking flight, and forming coordinated movement patterns across the flooded grasslands and shallow lake margins. Misty morning light often creates ideal conditions for photography of large waterbirds in flight.

Spend the full day exploring key wetland zones within Poyang Lake (鄱阳湖), including lake shorelines, shallow marshes, mudflats, and surrounding agricultural fields. Bird activity remains high throughout the morning and late afternoon, while midday is typically used for repositioning between observation points and rest.

This is the most important dedicated wetland birding day of the itinerary, offering exceptional chances to observe globally significant waterbird populations at close range.

Target species include:
Siberian Crane (白鹤), Hooded Crane (白头鹤), White-naped Crane (白枕鹤), Common Crane (灰鹤), Swan Goose (鸿雁), Tundra Bean Goose (豆雁), Ruddy Shelduck (赤麻鸭), Northern Shoveler (琵嘴鸭), Eurasian Wigeon (针尾鸭), Eurasian Teal (绿翅鸭), Mallard (绿头鸭), Eastern Spot-billed Duck (斑嘴鸭), Eurasian Spoonbill (白琵鹭), Oriental Stork (东方白鹳), Great Cormorant (普通鸬鹚), Black-crowned Night Heron (夜鹭), Grey Heron (苍鹭), Common Snipe (丘鹬), Spotted Redshank (鹤鹬), Common Greenshank (青脚鹬), Northern Lapwing (凤头麦鸡), Black-headed Gull (红嘴鸥), Eastern Marsh Harrier (白尾鹞), Hen Harrier (白尾鹞亚种群), White-throated Kingfisher (白胸翡翠), Pied Kingfisher (斑鱼狗), Brown Crake (褐水鸡), Zitting Cisticola (金头扇尾莺), Marsh Grassbird (苇莺), Plain Prinia (纯色山鹪莺), Chinese Grosbeak (中华长尾雀), Black-faced Bunting (黑脸鹀), Chestnut-eared Bunting (栗耳鹀).

Afternoon continues wetland birding in quieter marsh edges and reedbeds around Wucheng (武城), focusing on mixed flocks of passerines and late-day raptor movement along open water corridors.

Evening return to Wucheng (武城) for overnight stay.

Highlights: Peak Poyang Lake (鄱阳湖) crane spectacle, massive wintering waterbird flocks, classic East Asian wetland ecosystem
Accommodation: Hotel in Wucheng (武城)

Distance: ~420 km (Poyang Lake → Emei Feng)
Driving Time: ~5.5 hrs
Altitude: ~600–1,500 m
Road Conditions: Rural roads + mountain highways + access tracks to Emei Feng

Start your day with a morning birding session in Poyang Lake, one of the most important wetlands in China. Here, bird activity is high as migratory waterfowl and wintering species gather in large numbers. The Poyang Lake area is especially famous for its crane populations, so don’t miss the chance to spot Siberian Cranes, Common Cranes, and White-naped Cranes as well as other wetland birds like Northern Shoveler, Eurasian Wigeon, and Ruddy Shelduck. This is an excellent opportunity to observe birds in large flocks, particularly in the early morning hours when the birds are most active.

After the morning birding, drive to Emei Feng (approximately 420 km, ~5.5 hrs). On your way to the mountains, enjoy the scenic drive through central China’s varied landscapes, transitioning from wetlands to rolling hills and eventually into the foothills of Emei Feng.

Upon arrival, settle into your accommodation in Taining and prepare for a full day of birding in Emei Feng tomorrow.

Target Species in Poyang Lake:

• Siberian Crane (西伯利亚鹤)
• Common Crane (丹顶鹤)
• White-naped Crane (白颈鹤)
• Swamp Harrier (沼泽鹞)
• Northern Shoveler (北方勺嘴鸭)
• Ruddy Shelduck (赤麻鸭)
• Eurasian Wigeon (欧亚秋沙鸭)
• Common Pheasant (原鸡)
• Northern Pintail (北方针尾鸭)
• Tundra Bean Goose (冻原豆雁)
• Common Snipe (普通鹬)

Drive to Emei Feng:

Post-birding, you will transition to higher elevations, so watch for changes in bird species as you approach the Emei Feng area. The higher altitude regions around Emei Feng are home to a different set of avian species compared to the wetlands of Poyang Lake.

Accommodation: Hotel in Taining

Highlights: Wetland birding at Poyang Lake, scenic drive through changing landscapes, transition from wetland to mountain ecosystems.

Distance: Local birding radius ~10–40 km
Driving Time: ~1–3 hrs (site transfers)
Altitude: ~800–2,500 m
Road Conditions: Mountain roads + forest trails + temple access paths

Spend a full day exploring the rich forest ecosystems of Emei Feng (峨眉峰), characterized by subtropical evergreen forest, bamboo groves, cloud forest, and steep mountain valleys. This region supports one of the richest assemblages of forest birds in eastern China, especially pheasants, laughingthrushes, and mixed-species flocks.

Morning and late afternoon are most productive, especially along forest edges, stream valleys, and mid-elevation trails.

Target species include:
Cabot’s Tragopan (红腹角雉), Elliot’s Pheasant (白鹇), Silver Pheasant (白鹇), Koklass Pheasant (血雉/雉类群), Chinese Bamboo Partridge (中华竹鸡), Mandarin Duck (鸳鸯), Sultan Tit (冕雀), Yellow-cheeked Tit (黄颊山雀), Japanese Tit (日本山雀), Dusky Fulvetta (暗色绣眼鸟), Huet’s Fulvetta (褐头雀鹛), Chinese Hwamei (画眉), Masked Laughingthrush (黑脸噪鹛), Moustached Laughingthrush (须噪鹛), Buffy Laughingthrush (灰胁噪鹛), Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush (大噪鹛), Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush (小噪鹛), House Swift (楼燕), Black-winged Kite (黑翅鸢), Black Eagle (黑雕), Collared Owlet (领鸺鹠), Asian Barred Owlet (横斑林鸮), Great Barbet (大拟啄木鸟), Common Kestrel (红隼), Grey-chinned Minivet (灰喉山椒鸟), Bull-headed Shrike (牛头伯劳), White-bellied Erpornis (白腹短翅鸲莺), Indochinese Yuhina (华南绣眼鸟), Blyth’s Shrike-babbler (褐鹀鹛), Grey Treepie (灰树鹊), Red-billed Blue Magpie (红嘴蓝鹊), Collared Finchbill (领雀嘴鹎), Mountain Bulbul (山鹎), Rufous-faced Warbler (棕脸鹟莺), Black-throated Bushtit (黑喉山雀), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺), Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler (灰侧钩嘴鹛), Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler (条纹钩嘴鹛), Crested Myna (八哥), Black-collared Starling (黑领椋鸟), Dusky Thrush (灰背鸫), White’s Thrush (白腹鸫), White-crowned Forktail (白冠燕尾), Spotted Forktail (斑尾燕尾), Slaty-backed Forktail (灰背燕尾), Siberian Stonechat (黑喉石䳭), Grey Wagtail (灰鹡鸰), Brambling (燕雀), Little Bunting (小鹀), Black-faced Bunting (黑脸鹀).

Birding is highly dynamic, with mixed flocks moving through canopy and understory layers throughout the day.

Highlights: High-diversity subtropical forest birding, pheasant-rich habitats, mixed flock activity
Accommodation: Hotel in Taining

Distance: ~110 km (Emeifeng → Mingxi) + onward transfer to Jiangle
Driving Time: ~2 hrs + additional 1.5–2 hrs
Altitude: ~600–1,500 m
Road Conditions: Mountain highways + forest access roads + rural routes

Begin the morning with birding in the Emeifeng (峨眉峰) forest zone, focusing on early activity in mixed evergreen and broadleaf forest. This is a productive time for pheasants, laughingthrushes, and canopy mixed flocks, especially along forest edges and stream valleys where birds are most active shortly after sunrise.

After birding, drive to Mingxi (明溪) through forested hills and river valleys, a scenic corridor known for rich subtropical bird diversity. Afternoon birding is optional depending on time, focusing on accessible roadside forests, bamboo patches, and village-edge habitats.

Late afternoon continues onward to Jiangle (将乐) for overnight stay, passing through rolling hills and secondary forest landscapes typical of central Fujian’s biodiversity-rich region.

Target species include:
Cabot’s Tragopan (红腹角雉), Elliot’s Pheasant (白鹇), Silver Pheasant (白鹇), Chinese Bamboo Partridge (中华竹鸡), Red-headed Trogon (红头咬鹃), White-eared Night Heron (白耳夜鹭), Blyth’s Kingfisher (蓝耳翠鸟), Crested Serpent Eagle (凤头蛇雕), Black Eagle (黑雕), Grey-chinned Minivet (灰喉山椒鸟), White-bellied Erpornis (白腹短翅鸲莺), Japanese Tit (日本山雀), Yellow-cheeked Tit (黄颊山雀), Light-vented Bulbul (白头鹎), Mountain Bulbul (山鹎), Chestnut Bulbul (栗背鹎), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺), Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler (灰侧钩嘴鹛), Huet’s Fulvetta (褐头雀鹛), Indochinese Yuhina (华南绣眼鸟), Black-chinned Yuhina (黑喉绣眼鸟), White’s Thrush (白腹鸫), Blue Whistling Thrush (蓝矶鸫), Little Forktail (小燕尾), White-crowned Forktail (白冠燕尾), Slaty-backed Forktail (灰背燕尾), Orange-bellied Leafbird (橙腹叶鹎), Fork-tailed Sunbird (叉尾太阳鸟), Tristram’s Bunting (三道眉草鹀).

Birding today emphasizes forest continuity, with shifting elevation producing different bird communities along the route.

Highlights: Subtropical forest transition zone, pheasant-rich habitats, scenic mountain-to-valley birding corridor
Accommodation: Hotel in Jiangle

Distance: ~90 km
Driving Time: ~2 hrs
Altitude: ~200–1,200 m (varies by forest zones)
Road Conditions: Provincial roads + mountain access roads + forest tracks

Start the morning with birding in Mingxi (明溪), focusing on subtropical forest edges, river valleys, and bamboo-dominated slopes. Early hours are best for forest pheasants, kingfishers, and mixed canopy flocks moving along riparian corridors. After the morning session, drive toward Junfeng Shan (峻峰山), a well-forested mountain system characterized by dense evergreen forest, deep valleys, and clean mountain streams.

Afternoon birding continues along forest roads and mid-elevation valleys of Junfeng Shan (峻峰山), where mixed-species flocks and secretive understory birds become more active in shaded gullies and bamboo thickets. Later, transfer to Ziyun Village (紫云村) for overnight stay in a quiet forest-edge setting.

Target species across Mingxi & Junfeng Shan:

Pheasants & Ground Birds:
Elliot’s Pheasant (白颈长尾雉), Silver Pheasant (白鹇)

Forest Raptors:
Black Eagle (黑鹰), Crested Serpent Eagle (蛇雕)

Kingfishers & Riparian Birds:
Blyth’s Kingfisher (蓝耳翠鸟), White-eared Night Heron (白耳夜鹭), White-breasted Waterhen (白胸苦恶鸟), Striated Heron (池鹭), Eastern Cattle Egret (牛背鹭)

Forest Canopy & Flock Birds:
Red-headed Trogon (红头咬鹃), Chinese Barbet (绿啄花鸟), Grey-chinned Minivet (灰喉山椒鸟), White-bellied Erpornis (白腹凤鹛), Japanese Tit (日本山雀), Yellow-cheeked Tit (黄颊山雀)

Bulbuls & Warblers:
Light-vented Bulbul (白头鹎), Mountain Bulbul (山鹎), Chestnut Bulbul (栗背鹎), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺)

Babblers & Foliage Birds:
Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler (灰腹钩嘴鹛), Huet’s Fulvetta (褐头凤鹛), Indochinese Yuhina (印支绣眼鸟), Black-chinned Yuhina (黑喉绣眼鸟)

Thrushes & Understory Specialists:
White’s Thrush (白腹鸫), Blue Whistling Thrush (蓝矶鸫), White-crowned Forktail (白冠燕尾), Slaty-backed Forktail (铅色燕尾), Little Forktail (小燕尾)

Sunbirds & Frugivores:
Orange-bellied Leafbird (橙腹叶鹎)

Buntings & Open-edge Birds:
Tristram’s Bunting (三道鹀)

Highlights: Subtropical forest birding, pheasant-rich mountain valleys, kingfisher river systems, multi-layered canopy flocks
Accommodation: Guesthouse in Ziyun Village (紫云村)

Distance: ~90 km
Driving Time: ~1.5 hrs
Altitude: ~1,200–600 m (forest zones to river valleys)
Road Conditions: Mountain access roads + provincial highways

Start the day with a morning birding session in Junfeng Shan (峻峰山), focusing on the upper and mid-mountain forests, which host a diverse range of both canopy and understory species. The morning hours offer the best opportunity to encounter pheasants, raptors, and mixed-species flocks.

After the morning session, head to Sanming (三明), a city located in a scenic river valley surrounded by lush hills and forests. The transition from the mountain slopes of Junfeng Shan (峻峰山) to the lower elevation river valleys of Sanming (三明) offers a variety of new habitats to explore.

In the afternoon, enjoy birding along the riverbanks and the surrounding forested areas, where waterbirds, songbirds, and forest specialists are most active. The area is known for its rich avian diversity, particularly in the forested gorges and river systems.

Target species across Junfeng Shan & Sanming:

Pheasants & Forest Ground Birds:
Elliot’s Pheasant (白颈长尾雉), Silver Pheasant (白鹇)

Raptors & Mountain Birds:
Black Eagle (黑鹰), Crested Serpent Eagle (蛇雕)

Waterbirds & River Species:
White-breasted Waterhen (白胸苦恶鸟), Striated Heron (池鹭), Eastern Cattle Egret (牛背鹭), Common Kingfisher (普通翠鸟)

Canopy & Understory Birds:
Red-headed Trogon (红头咬鹃), Chinese Barbet (绿啄花鸟), Japanese Tit (日本山雀), Yellow-cheeked Tit (黄颊山雀), White-bellied Erpornis (白腹凤鹛)

Warblers & Thrushes:
Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺), Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler (灰腹钩嘴鹛), Huet’s Fulvetta (褐头凤鹛), Indochinese Yuhina (印支绣眼鸟)

Frugivores & Sunbirds:
Orange-bellied Leafbird (橙腹叶鹎), Tristram’s Bunting (三道鹀)

Other Specialty Birds:
Blue Whistling Thrush (蓝矶鸫), White-crowned Forktail (白冠燕尾), Slaty-backed Forktail (铅色燕尾)

Highlights: Diverse habitats from mountain forests to river valleys, mix of forest and waterbirds, high potential for pheasants and raptors
Accommodation: Hotel in Sanming (三明)

Distance: ~220 km
Driving Time: ~3 hrs
Altitude: ~200–0 m
Road Conditions: Expressway + city forest park roads

Begin the morning with birding in Sanming (三明) and surrounding foothill forests, focusing on subtropical evergreen woodland, bamboo groves, and river valleys. Early hours are ideal for pheasants, partridges, and canopy flocks before driving east toward Fuzhou (福州), transitioning from inland mountain forests to lower elevation coastal-subtropical habitats.

After arrival in Fuzhou (福州), continue afternoon birding in urban forest edges, river corridors, and wet woodland patches, where mixed flocks and migrant passerines are often active. Overnight in Fuzhou (福州).

Target species (Sanming → Fuzhou corridor):

Pheasants & Ground Birds:
White-necklaced Partridge (白颈长尾雉), Chinese Bamboo Partridge (中华竹鸡), Cabot’s Tragopan (白颈长尾雉近缘种/白颈长尾雉类群), Elliot’s Pheasant (白颈长尾雉)

Raptors & Owls:
Crested Goshawk (凤头鹰), Collared Owlet (领鸺鹠)

Forest & River Birds:
Mandarin Duck (鸳鸯), Green Sandpiper (青脚鹬), Black-crowned Night Heron (夜鹭), Chinese Pond Heron (池鹭), Common Kingfisher (普通翠鸟), Eurasian Wryneck (蚁䴕)

Canopy Mixed Flocks:
Scarlet Minivet (红翅山椒鸟), Grey-chinned Minivet (灰喉山椒鸟), White-bellied Erpornis (白腹凤鹛), Sultan Tit (寿带), Japanese Tit (日本山雀), Yellow-cheeked Tit (黄颊山雀)

Bulbuls & Warblers:
Light-vented Bulbul (白头鹎), Mountain Bulbul (山鹎), Chestnut Bulbul (栗背鹎), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺), Yellow-bellied Prinia (黄腹鹪莺)

Babblers & Foliage Birds:
Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler (灰腹钩嘴鹛), Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler (纹胸钩嘴鹛), Rufous-capped Babbler (棕头鹛), Dusky Fulvetta (暗灰凤鹛), Huet’s Fulvetta (褐头凤鹛), Indochinese Yuhina (印支绣眼鸟)

Sunbirds & Frugivores:
Orange-bellied Leafbird (橙腹叶鹎), Fork-tailed Sunbird (叉尾太阳鸟)

Open Country Birds:
Black-collared Starling (黑领椋鸟), Tristram’s Bunting (三道鹀), Little Bunting (小鹀), Black-faced Bunting (黑脸鹀)

Distance: ~60 km
Driving Time: ~1 hr
Altitude: ~100–0 m
Road Conditions: City roads + forest park trails + coastal access roads

Start the morning with birding in Fuzhou Forest Park (福州森林公园), one of the best lowland subtropical birding sites in Fujian. The park contains mature evergreen forest, bamboo patches, small streams, and dense understory, supporting both resident forest birds and wintering migrants.

After morning birding, transfer to Changle (长乐) for coastal and estuarine habitats, where wetland edges, mangroves, and agricultural ponds provide a final shift into coastal bird diversity. Overnight in Changle (长乐).

Target species (Fuzhou Forest Park + Changle):

Forest Specialists:
White-necklaced Partridge (白颈长尾雉), Spotted Elachura (斑胸短翅莺), Silver Pheasant (白鹇)

Canopy & Frugivores:
Great Barbet (大拟啄木鸟), Grey Treepie (灰树鹊), Red-billed Blue Magpie (红嘴蓝鹊), Red-billed Leiothrix (红嘴相思鸟)

Bulbuls & Warblers:
Light-vented Bulbul (白头鹎), Mountain Bulbul (山鹎), Black Bulbul (黑短脚鹎), Chestnut Bulbul (栗背鹎), Red-whiskered Bulbul (红耳鹎), Yellow-browed Warbler (黄眉柳莺), Hartert’s Leaf Warbler (淡尾柳莺), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺)

Babbler Assemblage:
Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler (灰腹钩嘴鹛), Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler (纹胸钩嘴鹛), Rufous-capped Babbler (棕头鹛), Huet’s Fulvetta (褐头凤鹛), Black-throated Laughingthrush (黑喉噪鹛)

Wetland & Edge Birds (Changle):
Chinese Pond Heron (池鹭), Oriental Magpie-Robin (鹊鸲), Pale Thrush (白腹鸫), Swinhoe’s White-eye (暗绿绣眼鸟), Slaty-backed Forktail (铅色燕尾), White-crowned Forktail (白冠燕尾), Fork-tailed Sunbird (叉尾太阳鸟), Tristram’s Bunting (三道鹀)

Highlights:

Subtropical forest birding, rich babbler diversity, final transition from inland mountains to coastal wetlands, high species turnover in a short distance corridor
Accommodation: Hotel in Fuzhou (福州) / Changle (长乐)

Distance: ~60 km (estuary → airport) + flight + ~120–150 km (Hainan drive)
Driving Time: ~1 hr (Fuzhou area) + 3–4 hrs (Hainan road transfer)
Altitude: ~0–100 m (sea level systems)
Road Conditions: Coastal wetland roads + expressway + airport transfer + island highways

Start the morning with birding at Minjiang Estuary (闽江河口), one of East Asia’s most important coastal stopover and wintering sites. The early tide cycle is critical, as mudflats are exposed and feeding activity peaks across shorebirds, gulls, and waterfowl. This is the final major wetland birding session of the mainland China portion of the itinerary, offering outstanding opportunities for large mixed flocks and rare vagrants.

After birding, transfer to Fuzhou Changle Airport (福州长乐机场) for flight to Hainan Island (海南岛) (Sanya or Haikou). Upon arrival, continue driving south into tropical forest zones toward Jianfengling (尖峰岭), transitioning rapidly from coastal wetlands to lowland rainforest and montane tropical forest systems. Overnight in Jianfengling (尖峰岭).

Target species – Minjiang Estuary (闽江河口):

Global Rarities & Key Targets:
Spoon-billed Sandpiper (勺嘴鹬), Eurasian Spoonbill (白琵鹭), Black-faced Spoonbill (黑脸琵鹭), Oriental Stork (东方白鹳)

Shorebirds & Waders:
Common Sandpiper (矶鹬), Green Sandpiper (青脚鹬), Marsh Sandpiper (青脚滨鹬), Black-bellied Plover (灰斑鸻), Little Ringed Plover (金眶鸻), Kentish Plover (环颈鸻), Lesser Sand Plover (蒙古沙鸻), Greater Sand Plover (铁嘴沙鸻), Whimbrel (中杓鹬), Eurasian Curlew (白腰杓鹬), Bar-tailed Godwit (斑尾塍鹬), Temminck’s Stint (长趾滨鹬), Red-necked Stint (红颈滨鹬), Sanderling (三趾滨鹬), Dunlin (黑腹滨鹬), Spotted Redshank (鹤鹬), Common Greenshank (青脚鹬), Common Snipe (扇尾沙锥)

Waterfowl & Waterbirds:
Tundra Swan (小天鹅), Eurasian Wigeon (罗纹鸭), Mallard (绿头鸭), Eastern Spot-billed Duck (斑嘴鸭), Eurasian Teal (绿翅鸭), Northern Pintail (针尾鸭), Little Grebe (小鸊鷉), Common Moorhen (黑水鸡), Grey Heron (苍鹭), Great Egret (大白鹭), Little Egret (白鹭), Great Cormorant (普通鸬鹚)

Gulls & Terns:
Black-headed Gull (红嘴鸥), Black-tailed Gull (黑尾鸥), Saunders’s Gull (遗鸥), Relict Gull (遗鸥近缘种), Mongolian Gull (蒙古鸥), Caspian Tern (红嘴巨鸥)

Raptors & Open Habitat Birds:
Osprey (鱼鹰), Black-winged Kite (黑翅鸢), Eastern Marsh Harrier (白尾鹞), Eastern Buzzard (普通鵟), Eurasian Kestrel (红隼), Peregrine Falcon (游隼)

Passerines & Edge Birds:
Eurasian Hoopoe (戴胜), Eurasian Wryneck (蚁䴕), Long-tailed Shrike (棕背伯劳), Oriental Magpie (喜鹊), Oriental Magpie-Robin (鹊鸲), Black-collared Starling (黑领椋鸟), Red-billed Starling (红嘴椋鸟), Crested Myna (八哥), Chinese Blackbird (乌鸫)

Warblers, Pipits & Small Passerines:
Yellow-browed Warbler (黄眉柳莺), Pallas’s Leaf Warbler (黄腰柳莺), Dusky Warbler (褐柳莺), Manchurian Bush Warbler (远东树莺), Swinhoe’s White-eye (暗绿绣眼鸟), Eastern Yellow Wagtail (黄头鹡鸰), White Wagtail (白鹡鸰), Richard’s Pipit (田鹨), Olive-backed Pipit (树鹨), Red-throated Pipit (红喉鹨), Buff-bellied Pipit (黄腹鹨), Grey-capped Greenfinch (灰头绿雀), Black-faced Bunting (黑脸鹀)

Highlights:

Peak East Asian coastal migration spectacle, Spoon-billed Sandpiper hotspot, massive mixed shorebird flocks, final mainland wetland birding before tropical transition
Accommodation: Lodge in Jianfengling (尖峰岭), Hainan Island (海南岛)

Today is a full immersion into Jianfengling National Park, one of the most important tropical rainforest reserves in China.

We start early at well-established bird hides and feeding stations, designed to maximize photography opportunities for shy and endemic species.

Morning – Bird Hides & Primary Forest Birding

Target species at hides and forest edges include:

• Hainan Peacock Pheasant (海南孔雀雉) – flagship endemic
• Hainan Partridge (海南山鹧鸪)
• Silver Pheasant (白鹇)
• Blue-rumped Pitta (蓝胸八色鸫)
• Hainan Leaf Warbler (海南柳莺)
• Swinhoe’s Laughingthrush (褐顶噪鹛)

These species often appear during early feeding hours in shaded forest clearings, offering excellent photographic conditions.

Midday – Forest Exploration & Canopy Birding

After breakfast or a short rest, we explore deeper forest trails and mixed canopy layers.

Typical species activity includes:

• mixed babbler flocks moving through understory
• flycatchers along shaded forest streams
• bulbuls and sunbirds in flowering trees
• raptors soaring above ridge lines in warm air currents

Afternoon – Second Hide Session / Flexible Birding

Depending on activity levels, we may return to hides or explore quieter forest sections to improve photographic results.

Evening return to accommodation surrounded by rainforest ambiance.

Highlights: Premium bird hides, endemic Hainan species, rainforest photography focus
Accommodation: Jianfengling area

Today focuses on deeper forest exploration and improved photography opportunities, targeting species that require patience and optimal timing.

We begin early morning in productive forest edges and secondary growth zones.

Morning – Target Forest Species

Key species expected today include:

• Chinese Barbet (绿胸八色鸫)
• Rufous-cheeked Laughingthrush (灰胁噪鹛)
• Yellow-billed Nuthatch (黄嘴鳾)
• Pale Blue Flycatcher (海南亚种)
• Fork-tailed Sunbird (叉尾太阳鸟)

In addition, mixed flocks often include:

• bulbuls moving in fruiting trees
• leaf warblers in mid-canopy
• drongos and cuckoos in open forest edges

Midday – Optional Hide Revisit or Forest Walk

Depending on previous success, guests may:

• return to hides for better photo angles, or
• explore new trails to search for missing target species

This flexibility allows optimization for photography-focused travelers.

Afternoon – Edge Habitat & Stream Valleys

Late-day birding shifts toward:

• forest edges
• bamboo patches
• small river valleys

These habitats often yield:

• sunbirds and flowerpeckers feeding actively
• raptors hunting in open canopy gaps
• occasional ground foraging pheasants at forest margins

Evening at leisure, with optional short night walk for owls or nocturnal species.

Highlights: Deep rainforest birding, mixed-species flocks, photography refinement day
Accommodation: Jianfengling area

Distance: ~260–300 km
Driving Time: ~4.5–5.5 hrs
Altitude: ~1,200 m → sea level
Road Conditions: Mountain forest roads + expressway + rural wetland tracks

Begin the morning with a final birding session in Jianfengling (尖峰岭), focusing on early forest edge activity and mixed-species flocks moving through the lower rainforest slopes. This is the last opportunity to encounter Hainan rainforest specialists before descending into the island’s lowland agricultural and wetland systems.

After birding, drive north toward Danzhou (儋州), transitioning from dense tropical forest into open farmland, rice paddies, fish ponds, and reedbed wetlands. En route, dedicate targeted stops in suitable habitats to search for key lowland crakes and waterfowl, especially in shallow marshes and irrigated rice fields where birds are most active in late afternoon light.

Arrival in Danzhou (儋州) in the evening for overnight stay.

Target species (en route wetlands & lowland habitats):

White-browed Crake (白眉秧鸡) – dense reeds, rice field edges, most active at dawn and dusk
Lesser Whistling Duck (小白额雁鸭) – small ponds, flooded fields, often in vocal flocks

Additional possible roadside/wetland birds:
Black-winged Kite (黑翅鸢), Eastern Cattle Egret (牛背鹭), Little Egret (小白鹭), Common Kingfisher (普通翠鸟), Barn Swallow (家燕), Red-rumped Swallow (金腰燕)

Highlights:

Final transition from Hainan rainforest to lowland wetland ecosystems, targeted crake and whistling duck search in rice fields and marshes, scenic cross-island drive
Accommodation: Hotel in Danzhou (儋州)

Distance: Local birding only
Driving Time: Short transfers between wetland sites
Altitude: ~0–50 m
Road Conditions: Flat wetland roads, rice paddies, reedbeds, fish ponds, grassland edges

Spend a full day birding across the wetland mosaic around Danzhou (儋州), one of Hainan’s most productive lowland birding regions. The day focuses on rice fields, freshwater marshes, reedbeds, and coastal grasslands, with a strong emphasis on both rare shorebirds and nocturnal owl species.

Early morning and late afternoon are key for shorebirds, rails, and pipits, while dusk sessions are reserved for owl watching around wetland edges and open farmland.

Target species in Danzhou (儋州):

Global Rarities & Key Shorebirds:
Spoon-billed Sandpiper (勺嘴鹬)
Black-faced Spoonbill (黑脸琵鹭)

Owls & Nocturnal Specialists:
Eastern Grass Owl (草鸮)
Eastern Barn Owl (仓鸮)
Oriental Bay Owl (褐林鸮)
Collared Scops Owl (领角鸮)
Asian Barred Owlet (斑头鸺鹠)

Rails & Secretive Wetland Birds:
Slaty-breasted Rail (灰胸秧鸡)
King Quail (鹌鹑)
Barred Buttonquail (斑胸田鸡)

Grassland & Open Field Birds:
Paddyfield Pipit (田鹨)
Richard’s Pipit (田鹨)

Reedbed Migrants:
Lanceolated Warbler (针尾苇莺)

Highlights:

High-density Hainan wetland birding, globally threatened Spoon-billed Sandpiper search, exceptional owl diversity, rice field crakes and buttonquails, dusk owl sessions
Accommodation: Hotel in Danzhou (儋州)

Distance: ~180 km
Driving Time: ~2.5–3 hrs
Altitude: Sea level
Road Conditions: Expressway + airport access roads

Begin the morning with a short final birding session around Danzhou (儋州) wetlands or nearby farmland, focusing on last lowland species and any missed targets. After breakfast, drive north toward Haikou Meilan International Airport (海口美兰国际机场) for departure.

It is recommended to schedule flights after 14:00 to allow sufficient travel time and optional roadside birding stops along the Hainan agricultural corridor, where raptors, herons, and open-field passerines may still be observed.

Highlights:

Final Hainan wetland birding session, smooth island-wide transfer, completion of full eastern China + Hainan birding circuit
End of tour.