Seeking for 7 kinds of Crane Species in China
China is very rich in cranes with the world's 9 crane species live in China. They live in the north and migrate to the south in winter. This trip is specially planned for birders who long to see cranes or want to get good photos of cranes in China. We carefully selected three most important wintering grounds highlighting cranes and a great number of other migratory birds, namely Yancheng Wetland Nature Reserve, Poyang Lake Nature Reserve, Napahai Nature Reserve that are home to 7 incredible crane species including Red-crowned Crane, Hooded Crane, Common Crane, Sandhill Crane, Siberian Crane, White-naped Crane, Black-necked Crane.
Additionally, this trip also covers some important birding sites on the east coast and in the southeastern forests such as Nanhui Dongtan and Wuyuan, we can expect some other sought-after species besides cranes including Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-faced Spoonbill, Baikal Teal, Northern Shoveler, Falcated Duck, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Mandarin Duck, Crested Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Pied Falconet, Great Barbet, Grey Treepie, Collared Finchbill, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Short-tailed Parrotbill, Yellow-bellied Tit, Rufous-capped Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler, etc.
We will fly to Shangri-La at the end fo the trip for Black-necked Crane, where we can also expect some southwestern specials like White-browed Tit Warbler, Rufous-tailed Babbler, Yunnan Nuthatch, Chinese Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Black-browed Tit, etc.
Tour Info Sheet
| Highlight Birds | Red-crowned Crane, Hooded Crane, Common Crane, Sandhill Crane, Siberian Crane, White-naped Crane, Black-necked Crane, Black Stork, Bar-headed Goose, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-faced Spoonbill, Baikal Teal, Falcated Duck, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Velvet Scoter, Black Scoter, Mandarin Duck, Scaly-sided Merganser, White-tailed Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Crested Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Pied Falconet, Great Barbet, Reed Parrotbill, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Short-tailed Parrotbill, White-crowned Forktail, Brown Dipper, Yellow-bellied Tit, Rufous-capped Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler, White-browed Tit Warbler, Rufous-tailed Babbler, Yunnan Nuthatch, Chinese Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Black-browed Tit, Rufous-breasted Accentor, White-winged Grosbeak, Streaked Rosefinch, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, etc. |
|---|---|
| Numbers of Species to Expect | 150-200 |
| Ease of Birding | mostly easy birding with a few tricky species |
| Other Attractions | Hui style architecture, Fujian cuisine, Tibetan culture |
| Photography Opportunities | birding focused but with very good photography chances |
| Habitats Covered | subtropical forests, woodlands, grasslands, wetlands, coasts |
| Expected Climate | mostly comfortable, windy and cold on the plateau, humid in the basin, rain is possible |
| Physical Requirements | mostly easy, demanding but optional in certain parts |
| Accommodation | very comfortable |
| Transportation | 19-seat van |
What makes this trip irreplaceable?
1. Our experienced guides have guided birding tours in these areas for many years, they know local birds and the latest bird info well. At the same time, they have rich experiences of guiding birders from different counties that ensure them understand your needs well.
2. We run the trip in the best season for cranes when all our targets move to winter grounds and gathered as flocks.
3. Besides crane sites, this trip covers some most popular and classic birding sites on the east coast and in southeastern and southwestern China.
4. Small groups with more flexibility. The group is limited to 8 travelers so that we can maximize the chances of each participant.
5. We have been a reliable local partner for some prestigious western companies over a decade. The experience helps us understand our client's needs and preferences well.
6. We have a strong logistic team to ensure our trip goes smoothly and ensures you a comfortable and enjoyable journey.
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Booking State | Price | Single Supplement | Group Size | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 19-30, 2025 | Space Available | 3,800USD/pax | 360USD/pax | 8 | Bella Zhang |
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The cost includes the following:
1. Private transportation throughout the trip, including airport pick-up in Shanghai and drop-off in Shangri-La; Internal flight ticket and bullet train ticket as listed in the itinerary.
2. All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 12.
3. All the entrance tickets for places listed in the itinerary including cable cars and shuttle buses.
4. Hotel stays from the first day to the last day, two clients occupy one twin-bed room on a sharing basis at nice 3 or 4-star hotels in big cities and local best guesthouses in remote areas.
5. Bottled water and snacks throughout the trip.
6. Simple western breakfast whenever possible.
7. Service charges of a professional bird guide throughout the whole trip.
8. China domestic travel insurance.
9. Service of all logistic supports.
The cost does not include the following:
a. Drinks during meals.
b. Extra charges due to changes in the itinerary from the client's side or factors beyond the control of AlpineBirding such as natural disasters and governmental policy changes.
c. Discretionary tips to local guides and drivers.
d. All personal expenses such as laundry service.
e. ANY AIRFARE except those stated in the itinerary.
f. Any program not listed in the itinerary.
Itinerary
Tour Map
Day 1: Arrival in Shanghai, China.
To begin our crane watching tour, we will depart from Shanghai, a city renowned for being the commercial and financial center of China. This city offers a combination of history and modernity that is sure to captivate any visitor.
Upon arrival at the airport of Shanghai, you will be met by your AlpineBirding guide or driver and get transferred to the hotel. For early arrivals, we will visit a birding site nearby to see some urban birds including Long-tailed Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Oriental Magpie, Coal Tit, Yellow-bellied Tit, Light-vented Bulbul, Yellow-browed Warbler, Pallas's Leaf Warbler, Red-billed Starling, White-cheeked Starling, White's Thrush, Chinese Blackbird, Grey-backed Thrush, Eyebrowed Thrush, Pale Thrush, Red-flanked Bluetail, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, plus a variety of waterfowls.
We will get to know the whole crew at dinner and learn more about our upcoming trip.
Day 2: Shanghai to Yancheng via Nanhui Dongtan.
After a 6,300km journey from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the Yangtze River runs into the estuary of the East China Sea near Shanghai. The abundant water resources from this river have nurtured vast wetlands and lush forest ecosystems while transforming the seacoast area into a breadbasket for many creatures. As a result of this, Shanghai is a vital stopover site for many migratory bird species on the long journey between East Asia and Australia. However, the mudflat is gradually receding under the pressure of urban expansion. Among the mudflat habitats left, Nanhui Dongtan is an ideal place for us to look for some residents and migratory shorebirds.
We will spend the whole morning in Nanhui Dongtan and mainly focus on the mudflats and wetlands for winter visitors such as Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-faced Spoonbill, Baikal Teal, Northern Shoveler, Falcated Duck, Northern Pintail, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Greater Scaup, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Northern Lapwing, Dunlin, Herring Gull, etc. Occasionally, Velvet Scoter, Black Scoter can also be targeted here during its migration.
In addition, we can spend some time in the nearby forests and bushes where we will have a good chance of encountering Peregrine Falcon, Osprey, Chinese Penduline Tit, Plain Prinia, Zitting Cisticola, Light-vented Bulbul, Brown-eared Bulbul, Dusky Warbler, Pallas's Warbler, Reed Parrotbill, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Pale Thrush, Dusky Thrush, Chestnut-eared Bunting, Pallas's Reed Bunting, Black-faced Bunting, etc. In the afternoon, we will complete a 5-hour drive to Yancheng where we start our crane explorations.
Day 3: Yancheng Wetland National Nature Reserve.
Not long ago in July 2019, "Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China (Phase I)" was rated as a world nature heritage which marked China's first Coastal Wetland World Heritage Site, the primary mission is to protect the rare wildlife including the elegant Red-crowned Crane and the tidal flat-wetland system that all the wildlife rely on.
Yancheng is an irreplaceable part of the vast coastal wetland, it is known as one of the best places for crane watching. Here we will mainly focus on four kinds of crane species while Red-crowned Crane enjoys a top priority. We will also look for Hooded Crane, Common Crane, Sandhill Crane. We also have enough time to search for other specials that stage in the area such as Oriental Stork, Bewick's Swan, Whooper Swan, Swan Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, Tundra Bean Goose, Common Shelduck, Gadwall, Smew, Goosander, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-winged Kite, Hen Harrier, Eastern Buzzard, Chinese Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Reed Parrotbill, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, White-cheeked Starling, Buff-bellied Pipit, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Yellow-throated Bunting, Rustic Bunting, etc.
Day 4: Yancheng to Shanghai, then transfer to Wuyuan.
We will have another chance to try our targets in Yancheng before we drive back to Shanghai. In the late afternoon, we will take a 3.5-hour comfortable bullet train ride to our next destination, Wuyuan.
Day 5: Wuyuan & surrounds.
Located in Eastern China, Wuyuan is well-forested and surrounded by rolling hills. So far, about 300 bird species have been recorded here. Although Wuyuan may not host typical crane species, it is an incredible birding site in transit as we can find some endemic and extraordinary species of East China. We will go to some stream areas looking for our top targets, the endangered Scaly-sided Merganser, and the stunning Mandarin Duck. Beyond that, we will look for other thought-after species including Long-billed Plover, Eastern Spot-billed Duck, Chinese Pond Heron, Crested Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, White-crowned Forktail, Plumbeous Redstart, Brown Dipper, etc.
We will also spend some time around the village and in the forest, we should also encounter some exotic species such as Pied Falconet, Great Barbet, Grey Treepie, Collared Finchbill, Orange-bellied Leafbird, Short-tailed Parrotbill, Yellow-bellied Tit, Rufous-capped Babbler, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, Grey-sided Scimitar Babbler, Huet's Fulvetta, Masked Laughingthrush, Lesser Necklaced Laughingthrush, Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, Red-billed Starling, Red-flanked Bluetail, White-rumped Munia, Yellow-browed Bunting, etc.
Day 6: Wuyuan to Poyang Lake area.
We can spend more time in Wuyuan to try our targets before we complete a 4-hour journey to Poyang Lake, the largest freshwater lake in China. We will stop to look for Yangtze Finless Porpoise and some waterfowls before we check in our well-suited and lovely guesthouse in the Poyang Lake area.
Day 7-8: Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve.
Poyang Lake is a vast area that consists of numerous permanent and seasonal lakes, rivers, inland wetlands, marshes, which makes it one of the most important wintering grounds for crane species as well as some other rare and endangered birds. We will have two full days here to make sure we see all of the four crane species, namely Siberian Crane, White-naped Crane, Common Crane, Hooded Crane. As they sometimes may spread over different areas, we will explore the whole region to seek them out. In the meantime, we can expect a variety of other exotic species including the elusive Baer's Pochard, Oriental Stork, Black Stork, Eurasian Spoonbill, Swan Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Taiga Bean Goose, Tundra Bean Goose, Bewick's Swan, Ruddy Shelduck, Northern Shoveler, Falcated Duck, Great Crested Grebe, Brown Crake, Spotted Redshank, Common Snipe, Herring Gull, etc.
We will also spend some time searching the reed marshes and exploring nearby forests. The pleasant environment not only brings visitors to relax here in their spare time but also attracts many unusual species inhabit in this area. Usually, it does not take too long to spot species like Rufous Turtle Dove, Eastern Marsh Harrier, White-throated Kingfisher, Pied Kingfisher, Yellow-bellied Tit, Chinese Penduline Tit, Yellow-bellied Prinia, Plain Prinia, Black-collared Starling, White-cheeked Starling, Grey-backed Thrush, Yellow-billed Grosbeak, Water Pipit, Black-faced Bunting, Little Bunting, etc.
Day 9: Nanchang to Shangri-La by air (Alt.: 3,280m).
Today is another traveling day on our trip. After breakfast, we will take a flight to Shangri-La, another vital wintering ground for cranes. Upon arrival, we can either adapt to the altitude at the hotel, or we can go for birding around the hotel.
Day 10-11: Napahai Nature Reserve & Shangri-La Botanical Garden.
In our two days of exploration in Shangri-La, the Black-necked Crane is our most important target. Discovered in 1876, the crane is not only known as the world's latest crane species but is also renowned for being the only crane species that breeds on the high-elevation plateau. It stays at the breeding ground on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau until migrating to the south in wintertime. Napahai is one of its most important destinations of migration. We will have two days here not just enjoying the elegant crane, we will also see some other brilliant species including Black Stork, Bar-headed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Brown-headed Gull, Pallas's Gull, Black Kite, White-tailed Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Grey-backed Shrike, Red-billed Chough, Daurian Jackdaw, etc.
Not far from the Napa Lake, located the Shangri-La Botanical Garden where we can find some unique forest species on the plateau that include White-browed Tit Warbler, Rufous-tailed Babbler, Yunnan Nuthatch, Chinese Fulvetta, White-browed Fulvetta, Black-browed Tit, Coal Tit, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Sichuan Tit, Grey-backed Shrike, Elliot's Laughingthrush, White-throated Redstart, Rufous-breasted Accentor, White-winged Grosbeak, Streaked Rosefinch, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Chinese White-browed Rosefinch, Grey-headed Bullfinch, Black-headed Greenfinch, Godlewski's Bunting, etc.
Day 12: Departure from Shangri-La.
Followed a lovely breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport to depart from Shangri-La. This will conclude the services for this scheduled itinerary from AlpineBirding.
Guide(s)
We will arrange one of our best local guides for this trip who has rich experience of guiding tours in this region. The followings are some of our professional guides who have guided tours in this area for many years.
Bella Zhang
Bella, the director of AlpineBirding, graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University with a Bachelor's Degree. She joined AlpineBirding in early 2016 and became the director of AlpineBirding in 2018. She was born and grew up in a Bai ethnic family in Yunnan Province which boasts of the largest number of bird species in China. Her interests toward birds started with her observation of a Long-tailed Minivet in her mom's garden at a very young age. As she grows up, the interests and love toward birds become stronger and stronger. Because of that, she found AlpineBirding before graduation and joined the company for further learning of birds. Bella has guided a number of birding trips in cooperation with AlpineBirding guide in the past years, her passion, readiness to help and detail-oriented attitude have won her lots of praise from our clients.
Linked Tours
Currently, there is no extension available for this tour. If you want to spend more time before or after the main tour to look for certain species or enjoy other attractions, you are warmly welcome to share your ideas with us to tailor make a tour of your own style. Please send us an email to info@alpinebirding.com with your preferences, we will get back to you in a timely manner.
Reports
We don't have a report available for this tour at this stage, please feel free to email us, we are more than happy to answer any of your questions and share the latest bird information with you.
Testimonials
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Winter Poyang lake plus Wuyuan birding
My wife and I were on family holidays in Hong Kong and we contacted AlpineBirding for a 5 day trip to the Poyang Lake and Wuyuan (Jianxi province) to see wintering birds on January 2019.
From start to finish all worked exceeding expectations. Bella is great at organising the logistics and responds emails very promptly, and the guides (Philipp and Shay) are very good, from birding to attending all our necessities with care. This includes visiting a very wide representation of local food which was amazing. Birding-wise, we spotted the poker of cranes (Siberian, White-napped, Hooded and common), Baer's pochard, scaly-breasted merganser and many other specialities. A very nice bonus observation was the Yangtzee finless porpoise. Some of the hotels in the Poyang area were basic and cold, but those places are really not touristic at all, so there were no better alternatives and we were properly warned about it.
We would definitively contact them again for birding in China.
Carla and Alex / East China (Poyang Lake & Wuyuan) January 16, 2019
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2005 Winter Birding Trip to Yunnan, ChinaI had a wonderful time birding in Yunnan with Philip He and Parus Yang from Alpine Birding Tour.They are so professional and helpful. They did their best to arrange comfortable accommodation and food. We did birding to sites of Mountains, hills, lakes, and farmlands in Yunnan. Parus Yang, a young man with an ornithological degree, is a very knowledgeable bird guide with sharp eyes and ears.I've observed total 235 species and 97 lifers. It's really fruitful and enjoyable.I look forward to joining their next birding tour.
Victor Yu / Southwest China (Yunnan) January 12, 2005
