China Wildlife And Culture Exploration

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: In the hotel

Upon arrival, you will be warmly received at the airport by your private birding guide or driver and transferred directly to your hotel. After settling in, enjoy your first taste of Shaanxi cuisine, known for its bold flavors and unique regional specialties that reflect the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Xian

Depart early this morning to visit the world-famous Terra-Cotta Warriors (approx. 40 km / 1 hour), often referred to as the eighth wonder of the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was created to guard the tomb of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor to unify ancient China, and remains one of the most extraordinary archaeological discoveries of all time. After taking your time to admire the vast army of life-sized soldiers, return to downtown Xi’an for an afternoon visit to the Ancient City Wall, one of the best-preserved of its kind in China.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant near your hotel. Afterwards, you may choose to take a leisurely stroll through the vibrant Muslim Quarter, known for its lively atmosphere and delicious street food.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Yangxian

Early this morning, we’ll drive to Xi’an North Train Station (approx. 16 km / 30 minutes) to board a high-speed bullet train to Foping (approx. 50 minutes). Upon arrival, we’ll transfer by bus and continue a short drive (around 40 minutes) to reach the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey Reserve. Spend several hours observing these rare and charismatic primates in their natural forest habitat — a truly memorable wildlife experience.

Later in the day, we’ll drive to the town of Yangxian (approx. 88 km / 2 hours), where we will check in and spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tangjiahe

Located south of the Qinling Mountain range — the natural dividing line between northern and southern China — Yangxian is a remarkable birding destination. It is best known for being home to the rare and endangered Crested Ibis, once believed to be extinct until seven individuals were rediscovered here in the 1980s. Thanks to conservation efforts, their population has now grown to over 3,000. We will spend the morning exploring this special area and observing these elegant birds in their natural habitat.

Afterwards, we’ll transfer to the train station for a short high-speed train ride to Guangyuan (approx. 1 hour). From there, a scenic 4-hour drive (170 km) along winding country roads will take us to Tangjiahe — a pristine and remote panda reserve. En route, we’ll visit a charming and tranquil ancient town nestled deep within the Mingshan Mountains, boasting a rich history of over 1,700 years.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Tangjiahe

Spend the entire day exploring the rich wilderness of Tangjiahe Reserve, one of China’s premier locations for observing and photographing wildlife. This remote and biodiverse area offers excellent chances to encounter a variety of mammals such as Sichuan Takin, Tibetan and Rhesus Macaques, Reeves’ Muntjac, Tufted Deer, Yellow-throated Marten, Chinese Goral, Serow, and with some luck, the elusive Asian Black Bear. Tangjiahe is also a prime birding site, known for species like the vibrant Golden Pheasant and other forest birds. With a bit of fortune, we may even catch a glimpse of the rare and secretive Tawny Fish Owl.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chengdu

We continue our exploration of Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve in the morning, enjoying more opportunities to observe its remarkable wildlife and pristine landscapes. In the afternoon, we’ll drive to Qingchuan Railway Station (approx. 120 km / 2.5 hours) to board a high-speed bullet train to Chengdu (approx. 1.5 hours). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chengdu

We begin early this morning to take advantage of the pandas’ most active time at the Chengdu Panda Base (approx. 15 km / 35 minutes). Visiting in the morning also offers a quieter, less crowded experience. The base is home to pandas of various ages, and offers wonderful opportunities to observe their behavior up close. The surrounding area also provides a chance to spot a few bird species such as Red-billed Leiothrix, White-browed Laughingthrush, and Chinese Bulbul.

After lunch, we drive to the renowned Sanxingdui Museum (approx. 50 km / 50 minutes) to explore the fascinating ancient Shu civilization that flourished 3,000 to 5,000 years ago. The museum houses a stunning collection of artifacts including massive bronze masks, gold, jade, and ivory relics, believed to have been used in religious rituals and ceremonies.

In the evening, you may choose to enjoy an optional Sichuan Opera performance, famous for its mesmerizing face-changing act—an iconic cultural highlight of the region.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Chengdu

In the early morning, we drive to Qingcheng Mountain (approximately 65 km / 1.5 hours), one of China’s most revered Taoist sites. A light hike along stone-paved trails takes us through lush forest and serene surroundings to a centuries-old Taoist monastery perched at the top—an ideal place to absorb the peaceful spiritual atmosphere.

In the afternoon, we visit the nearby Dujiangyan Irrigation System, an ancient marvel of engineering originally built around 256 BC during the Qin Dynasty. This ingenious project, designed for flood control and irrigation, remains the only functioning non-dam irrigation system from antiquity still in use today. Beyond its technical significance, the site is surrounded by beautiful temples and scenic landscapes, making it both culturally and visually enriching.

After our visit, we return to Chengdu for the evening.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None

We will transfer you to the airport for your onward flight. If time permits before your departure, we’d be happy to arrange some additional cultural or sightseeing activities in the city.
Tour Ends.