Yunnan lies at the crossroads of Asian bird diversity. It is the most bird-rich province in China, with a distinctly subtropical feel in the south. The largely mountainous terrain supports an incredible variety of forest types, and wetland refuges and powerful rivers increase the variety of habitats to explore. With our tour for late winter, many migrant species from further north boost the species number, including the enigmatic Black-headed Gulls and Black-necked Crane and so on.
Arrive in Kunming, known as “The City of Eternal Spring”. Pick up from airport and transfer to the hotel.
Free at leisure the rest time of the day.
Overnight at Kunming
Today’s highlight is to visit the Stone Forest ( An old local saying says that "If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time." Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan)
Then, drive back to Kunming downtown for watching Black-head Gulls at Green Lake Park which is one of the most picturesque park in downtown Kunming. The name Green Lake is come from the green lake water and green bamboo of the park all year around. Every winter, to view and feed the red-beaked gulls is thing which you could not missing as thousands of Black-headed gulls migrates from Siberia will choose to spend their winter in here since 1985.
After the tour, take the high speed train to Dali ( 2hrs running time) . Check in your hotel in Dali Old Town after arrival.
Overnight at Dali
Arrive at Dali in the early morning,after pick up from railway station , transfer to hotel for breakfast , after that drop off your luggage. Then make tour of the Three Pagodas (The Three Pagodas are located at the foot of Yingle Peak of Cangshan Mountain at the northwest suburb of Dali Ancient City. In the time of Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, Chongshengsi was the largest monastery in this area and the Three Pagodas were only a part of it. Now, the monastery has long disappeared and only the Three Pagodas remain.).
Later take the cable car to visit Cangshan Mountian, the stunningly beautiful mountain boasts its high peaks, uncertain clouds,susurrating streams and capping snow. Birding along the Jade Belt Road with soft trekking for the whole afternoon.
Overnights at Dali
Drive about 5 hours to Baihualing Nature Reserve in Gaoligong Mountain.
Upon arrival, watching Birds at Baihualing Sclater’s Monal (high elevations only), Silver and Mrs. Hume’s Pheasants, Stripe-breasted Woodpecker, Ward’s Trogon (rare),Brown Wood Owl, Hodgson’s Frogmouth, White-bellied Green Pigeon, Long-tailed Broadbill, White-winged Magpie (rare), three species of shortwing including Gould’s, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Spotted, Grey-sided, Blue-winged, Scaly and Red-tailed Laughingthrushes, Coral and Slender-billed Scimitar Babblers,Grey-bellied Wren Babbler, Black-headed Shrike Babbler, Yellow-throated Fulvetta and Beautiful Sibia. Arguably Baihualing’s greatest avian attraction however s Cachar Wedge-billed Wren, a species that’s not uncommon here. Dark-rumped Swift has even been reported here.
Overnights guesthoues in the reserve.
Whole day Bird watching with the bird guide of nature reserves.
Overnights at guesthouse in the reserve
After breakfast, drive back to Dali (5hrs) , enjoy the road view from the car.
Upon arrival , check in your hotel .Free at leisure for the rest time to stroll in Dali Old town
Overnights at Dali
In the morning, firstly visit Xizhou, famous for the architecture of its residences before transfer to Lijiang ( accompany with your Chinease speaking drivier ), Lijiang a beautiful town with narrow cobblestones streets that crisscross small canals; Lijiang is home to the Naxi ethnic people, resplendent in their royal blue tunics.
After arrival, make a stop at Black Dragon Pond (Located at the foot of the Xiangshan Mountain (Elephant Hill) north of the city of Lijiang. As the water here is a lucid green color, it gained another name Jade Spring Park (Yuquan Park). There are many distinctive and ravishing sites in the park. Hiding in the lush trees or standing along the liquid pool is the antique and exquisite architectural pieces, which are in the style of Naxi.),
Overnights at Lijiang
Take a cable car to visit Yak Meadow situated at the middle of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, at an altitude of 3,800 meters. The beautiful natural scenery there is an important part of the mountain, and you will not only see many yaks on the plateau, but also horses and donkeys. Birding on the plateau region.
After that, stop at Baisha Fresco (The greatest feature of the frescos is the syncretism. Figures of Buddism, Taoism and Lamaism are painted together, which is peculiar in the world.In actual fact, fresco of this type could be seen not just in Baisha Ancient Town, but other ten temples in Dayan County, Shuhe County, Zhonghai County, Yangxi County and some others.) and Shuhe Old Town (4 km northwest from Lijiang City. It is an ancient trade post for tea caravans between China and the Red Sea, is set to regain its past prosperity with the launch of a new protection program. This village is the former city center of LiJiang and has a history of more than 1000 years.).
Overnights at Lijiang
Drive to Lashihai Lake for birding.Lashihai (Lashi Lake)at an elevation of 2500 meters, Lashihai (Lashi Lake) is the largest highland lake in Lijiang County, and an important habitat for over 57 species of migratory birds, the highest waterbird species diversity of any lake in Northwest Yunnan. During the winter months, the lake is home to tens of thousands of migratory birds, including protected species such as the black-necked crane, whooper swan and black stork. The birds come to Lashihai to feed on its abundance of local crops, aquatic plant species and 7 different species of fish. The Class III protected waterlily is one of the 47 aquatic plant species found in the lake.
Overnights at Lijiang
Today departure from Lijiang to Zhogndian. (4hrs ) Half on the way, stop to visit Tiger Leaping Gorge ( Zhongdian section) , located on the upstream of the Yangtze River in Yunnan, honored as the deepest and most marvelous gorges in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Jinsha River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters below.
Check in your hotel after arrival. Spend some time to stroll in Dukezong Tibetan Old Town Dukezong comes from Tibetan language which means the moonlight city, on the summit of the Guishan Hill in the old town, you will see the largest Pray Wheel in the world. You can try to push the huge pray wheel around with local people together to show your blessing to family and friends.
Overnights at Zhongdian
This morning , move to birding at Napahai Lake where you maybe have chance to watch black-necked crane and other birds (It is 3270 meters above sea level and covers 660 square kilometers; it is approximately 8 kilometers to northwest of Zhongdian town. It’s a valley surrounded by mountains on three sides which are covered in snow during winter and spring time. The water melts from the surrounding mountains and another over 10 small rivers flow into the lake after zigzagging through grassland.)
Continue to visit Ganden Songzanglin Monastery (Founded in the 17th century during the reign of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama and nicknamed as Lesser Potala Palace by the locals, is one of the thirteen Tibetan monasteries in the Kangba Region, where Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan join.).
Then you will make a visiting a local Tibetan Family to charting with the local people to know about their local life and at try to drink a cup of Yak Butter Tea.
Overnight at Zhangdian
Take a morning flight to Kunming. Upon arrival Kunming airport , you own take the connection flight to the next destination.
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