13 Days Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Birding Tour

Distance: ~188 km
Driving Time: ~3–4 hrs
Altitude: ~2,300–3,000 m
Road Conditions: Paved roads + forest access roads

Drive north of Xining into the forested valleys of Dongxia Forest Park (东峡森林公园), where dense woodland creates a completely different birding environment from the plateau. Spend time walking forest trails and scanning canopy and understory for a rich variety of passerines, including warblers, laughingthrushes, tits, and nuthatches.

Continue southwest toward Gonghe County (共和县), where the landscape gradually opens into dry steppe and semi-arid plateau. Afternoon birding focuses on open-country species, with wide visibility across grasslands and scrub habitats.

Birds (possible): Gansu Leaf Warbler, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Crested Tit-Warbler, Goldcrest, Elliot’s Laughingthrush, Przevalski’s Nuthatch, Chinese Nuthatch, Siberian Rubythroat, White-throated Redstart, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, Common Rosefinch, White-winged Grosbeak, Grey-headed Bullfinch, Black-faced Bunting; steppe species such as Isabelline Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Rock Sparrow, White-rumped Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Twite, Mongolian Finch

Highlights: Rich forest passerines, clear habitat transition to plateau steppe
Accommodation: Hotel in Gonghe

Distance: ~360 km
Driving Time: ~5–6 hrs
Altitude: ~3,000–4,500 m
Road Conditions: Paved mountain roads with high-altitude sections

Start with early morning birding around Gonghe, targeting plateau edge specialists in open scrub and grassland. Gradually ascend toward Ela Mountain Pass (鄂拉山垭口) at around 4,500 meters, where vegetation becomes sparse and rocky slopes dominate. This high-altitude zone supports specialized alpine species adapted to extreme conditions.

Continue onward to Maduo County (玛多县), crossing expansive high plateau landscapes of grassland, wetlands, and semi-desert. En route birding provides additional opportunities to encounter raptors, larks, and high-altitude finches.

Birds (possible): Przevalski’s Partridge (Rusty-necklaced Partridge), Pale Rosefinch, Desert Finch, Mongolian Finch, Lesser Whitethroat; at Ela Mountain: Himalayan Snowcock, Tibetan Rosefinch, White-winged Redstart, Tibetan Snowfinch, Brandt’s Mountain Finch, Plain Mountain Finch; en route: Mongolian Lark, Streaked Rosefinch, White-browed Tit, Black-winged Snowfinch

Highlights: First true alpine birding, Himalayan Snowcock habitat, dramatic high mountain scenery
Accommodation: Hotel in Maduo

Distance: ~330 km
Driving Time: ~4.5–5 hrs
Altitude: ~4,200–3,700 m
Road Conditions: Paved plateau roads

Depart from Maduo and travel across vast high-altitude wetlands, river valleys, and open steppe toward Yushu (玉树). The route offers continuous birding opportunities, with frequent stops at rivers, marshes, and lakeshores. These habitats are highly productive for waterbirds, raptors, and passerines adapted to the plateau environment.

As elevation gradually decreases, bird diversity increases, especially around river systems and wetter zones near Yushu. The combination of open landscape and scattered wetlands creates excellent conditions for both scanning and opportunistic sightings.

Birds (possible): Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Little Owl, Ibisbill, Ruddy Shelduck, Bar-headed Goose, Common Redshank, Brown-headed Gull, Common Tern, Red-rumped Swallow, Eurasian Crag Martin, Asian House Martin, Citrine Wagtail, Mongolian Lark, Kessler’s Thrush, Black Redstart, Blue-fronted Redstart, Alpine Leaf Warbler, Daurian Jackdaw, White-rumped Snowfinch, Black-winged Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Great Rosefinch

Highlights: Riverine birding, Ibisbill habitat, high diversity along plateau wetlands
Accommodation: Hotel in Yushu

Distance: ~170 km
Driving Time: ~2.5–3 hrs
Altitude: ~3,700–3,800 m
Road Conditions: Paved mountain and plateau roads

Travel from Yushu toward Nangqian County (囊谦县), following valleys and plateau slopes with multiple birding stops along the way. This day focuses on filling gaps in the species list from previous days while exploring new habitats including shrub valleys, river edges, and open slopes.

Upon arrival, continue birding around Nangqian, where a mix of plateau and montane species can be found. The varied terrain provides good chances for passerines, pheasants, and raptors.

Birds (possible): Tibetan Bunting, White-browed Tit, Tibetan Babax, Chinese Rubythroat, White-capped Redstart, Blue-fronted Redstart, Wallcreeper (possible), Snow Pigeon, Plain Mountain Finch, White-winged Grosbeak, Streaked Rosefinch, Red-fronted Rosefinch

Highlights: Flexible birding for target species, diverse plateau habitats around Nangqian
Accommodation: Hotel in Nangqian

Distance: ~70 km round trip
Driving Time: ~2 hrs
Altitude: ~3,800–4,200 m
Road Conditions: Mountain roads + unpaved access tracks

Depart Nangqian and ascend to Kanda Mountain (坎达山), one of the most important birding sites in the region for high-altitude pheasants and alpine specialists. The terrain consists of rocky slopes, alpine meadows, and scattered shrub zones, providing ideal habitat for elusive ground-dwelling birds.

Spend the day exploring different elevations and microhabitats, combining vehicle-based scanning with short hikes. This area offers some of the best chances to encounter multiple pheasant species alongside snowfinches, accentors, and raptors. The open landscape also allows wide visibility for tracking bird movement and behavior.

Birds (possible): Tibetan Snowcock, Tibetan Partridge, Szechenyi’s Monal-Partridge (Buff-throated Partridge), White-eared Pheasant, Tibetan Bunting, Chinese Rubythroat, White-capped Redstart, Grandala, White-browed Tit, Sichuan Tit, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Tibetan Babax, Snow Pigeon, Wallcreeper, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Beautiful Rosefinch, Red-fronted Rosefinch, Streaked Rosefinch, Plain Mountain Finch, White-winged Grosbeak

Highlights: Multiple pheasant species, Grandala flocks, classic alpine birding habitat
Accommodation: Hotel in Nangqian

Distance: ~70 km round trip
Driving Time: ~2 hrs
Altitude: ~3,800 m
Road Conditions: Forest access roads + paved sections

Travel to Baizha Forest (白扎林区), a rich montane forest ecosystem contrasting sharply with the open plateau habitats of previous days. Dense woodland, river valleys, and forest edges provide excellent conditions for understory birds and mixed feeding flocks.

Spend the day walking forest trails and exploring different elevations. This is one of the best locations on the itinerary for laughingthrushes, babblers, flycatchers, and other forest specialists, along with continued chances for pheasants in forest-edge habitats.

Birds (possible): Szechenyi’s Monal-Partridge (Buff-throated Partridge), White-eared Pheasant, Tibetan Babax, Elliot’s Laughingthrush, Giant Laughingthrush, Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler, Chinese Fulvetta, Himalayan Bluetail, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Long-tailed Thrush, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Maroon-backed Accentor, Crested Tit-Warbler, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Sichuan Tit, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, White-throated Dipper, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Rosy Pipit, Three-banded Rosefinch, Pink-rumped Rosefinch, Common Rosefinch

Highlights: Rich forest bird diversity, laughingthrushes and babblers, contrast to alpine habitats
Accommodation: Hotel in Nangqian

Distance: ~400 km
Driving Time: ~5–6 hrs
Altitude: ~3,800–4,300 m
Road Conditions: Paved plateau highways with long remote stretches

Depart Nangqian and drive deep into the interior of the Tibetan Plateau, heading toward Qumalai (曲麻莱). The journey crosses vast, sparsely populated landscapes dominated by high-altitude wetlands, rolling grasslands, and open steppe. Frequent stops along rivers, marshes, and grazing plains provide excellent birding opportunities throughout the day.

This is a classic “big landscape” day, where scanning wide horizons often reveals raptors, larks, and occasional flocks moving across the plateau. Mammal sightings are also possible in these remote and undisturbed environments.

Birds (possible): Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Himalayan Griffon, Lammergeier, Black-necked Crane, Bar-headed Goose, Ruddy Shelduck, Brown-headed Gull, Mongolian Lark, Hume’s Short-toed Lark, Tibetan Lark, White-rumped Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Black-winged Snowfinch, Ground Tit, Horned Lark

Highlights: Remote plateau scenery, wetland birding, raptors and lark diversity
Accommodation: Hotel in Qumalai

Distance: ~480 km
Driving Time: ~6–7 hrs
Altitude: ~4,200–2,800 m
Road Conditions: Long-distance paved roads

Travel from Qumalai to Golmud (格尔木), descending gradually from high plateau into more arid and desert-influenced environments on the edge of the Qaidam Basin. The changing landscape—from alpine meadow to semi-desert—brings a noticeable shift in bird communities.

En route stops focus on open plains, dry riverbeds, and desert margins, where species adapted to arid conditions begin to appear. This transition zone offers a mix of plateau specialists and desert-edge birds.

Birds (possible): Tibetan Sandgrouse, Tibetan Sand Plover, Saker Falcon, Upland Buzzard, Little Owl, Lesser Whitethroat, Desert Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Asian Short-toed Lark, Ground Tit

Highlights: Dramatic landscape transition, desert-edge birding, Tibetan Sandgrouse habitat
Accommodation: Hotel in Golmud

Distance: ~350 km
Driving Time: ~4–5 hrs
Altitude: ~2,800–3,200 m
Road Conditions: Paved desert highways

Depart Golmud (格尔木) and travel across the arid landscapes of the Qaidam Basin, one of the most distinctive desert ecosystems on the Tibetan Plateau. The route features gravel plains, salt flats, and sparse shrub vegetation, ideal habitat for specialized desert birds.

Make multiple stops along dry riverbeds, shrub zones, and reed patches to search for elusive desert species. Arrive in Dulan County (都兰县) and continue birding in nearby semi-arid habitats during the late afternoon.

Birds (possible): Henderson’s Ground Jay, Tarim Babbler, Isabelline Shrike, Lesser Whitethroat, Asian Short-toed Lark, Hume’s Short-toed Lark, Desert Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Bearded Reedling

Highlights: Qaidam Basin desert specialists, ground jays and shrubland birds
Accommodation: Hotel in Dulan

Distance: ~135 km
Driving Time: ~1.5–2 hrs
Altitude: ~3,000–3,200 m
Road Conditions: Paved roads + valley access tracks

Travel from Dulan to Chaka (茶卡), exploring valleys and rocky slopes along the way. These habitats are known for redstarts, partridges, and cliff-associated species. Spend time scanning canyon walls, shrub slopes, and rocky outcrops.

The region is particularly good for localized and range-restricted species, making it an important day for target birding before returning toward Qinghai Lake.

Birds (possible): Ala Shan (Przevalski’s) Redstart, Black Redstart, Przevalski’s Partridge, Daurian Partridge, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Pine Bunting, Giant Grey Shrike, White-winged Grosbeak, Wallcreeper, Brown Accentor, Robin Accentor

Highlights: Redstart hotspots, partridge habitat, rocky valley birding
Accommodation: Hotel in Chaka

Distance: ~300–360 km
Driving Time: ~5–6 hrs
Altitude: ~3,200–3,800 m
Road Conditions: Paved mountain roads + lakeside highways

Depart Chaka (茶卡) and begin the final birding circuit of the expedition. First, explore Rubber Mountain (日月山/橡皮山一带), a high plateau ridge system offering excellent chances for snowfinches, larks, and raptors across open slopes and alpine grassland.

Continue toward the shores of Qinghai Lake (青海湖), the largest inland saltwater lake in China. Spend time along the lakeshore scanning wetlands, marshes, and open water for large congregations of waterbirds. This is one of the most productive birding sites of the entire journey.

In the afternoon, drive back to Xining (西宁), marking the return to lower altitude and the end of field birding.

Birds (possible): Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Henderson’s Ground Jay, Desert Wheatear, Isabelline Wheatear, Mongolian Lark, Przevalski’s Finch (Pink-tailed Finch), White-browed Tit, Blanford’s/Plain-backed Snowfinch, White-rumped Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Black-winged Snowfinch, Pere David’s Snowfinch, Robin Accentor, Brown Accentor, Dusky Warbler, Alpine Leaf Warbler, Black-necked Crane, Bar-headed Goose, Brown-headed Gull, Ground Tit, Tibetan Lark

Highlights: Qinghai Lake waterbird spectacle, Rubber Mountain alpine birding, final plateau species accumulation
Accommodation: Hotel in Xining

Distance: Airport transfer
Driving Time: ~0.5–1 hr
Altitude: ~2,300 m
Road Conditions: Urban paved roads

Enjoy a relaxed morning in Xining (西宁) based on flight schedule. Optional short city walk or cultural stop may be arranged depending on timing. Transfer to the airport for departure, concluding the Roof of Asia Explorer expedition.

Highlights: End of expedition, optional city leisure, transfer to airport
Accommodation: None (departure day)