This 12-day photography expedition explores some of Sichuan’s richest wildlife habitats, including Tangjiahe and Wanglang National Nature Reserves, the Baima Tibetan highlands, Ya’an’s tea country, and Muchuan. Major targets include wild Giant Panda, Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, Takin, Red Panda, Asian Black Bear, and a remarkable diversity of pheasants and mountain birds. March offers excellent winter scenery, occasional snow, overwintering birds, and the beginning of Sichuan’s early spring.

Day 1 (09 March): Arrival in Chengdu

Arrive at Chengdu Shuangliu or Tianfu International Airport and transfer to the city. The remainder of the day is free for rest, preparation, or optional street and cultural photography in Chengdu.

Day 2 (10 March): Chengdu to Tangjiahe

Drive approximately 4.5 hours to Tangjiahe National Nature Reserve. After lunch, begin our first wildlife photography session along Linghou Valley and Caijiaba. We search the river valleys and surrounding forest for Tibetan Macaque, Reeves’s Muntjac, Yellow-throated Marten, Takin, Tufted Deer, Chinese Serow, and possibly Asian Black Bear.

Day 3 (11 March): Tangjiahe: Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys

A full day dedicated primarily to Sichuan Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys. Morning and late afternoon offer the best opportunities to photograph troops moving and feeding in the mountain forest. Snow can create spectacular backgrounds for their golden coats. Golden Pheasant, deer, Wild Boar, and other forest wildlife may also be encountered.

Day 4 (12 March): Tangjiahe: Mammals & Pheasants

Continue exploring Tangjiahe, concentrating on Hongshi River, Motianling, and surrounding valleys. Morning searches focus on Golden Pheasant and Blue Eared Pheasant, while the afternoon is devoted to mammals including Takin, Yellow-throated Marten, Tufted Deer, Forest Musk Deer, Chinese Serow, and Asian Black Bear.

Day 5 (13 March): Tangjiahe: Golden Monkeys & Red Panda

Make a final morning attempt for Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, with particular attention to family groups, juveniles, and behavioral photography. During the afternoon, explore bamboo-covered slopes and forest around Baixiongguan in search of wild Red Panda before continuing to Qingxi.

Day 6 (14 March): Tangjiahe to Wanglang: Wild Giant Panda

Drive approximately 2.5 hours to Wanglang National Nature Reserve, an important part of the Minshan Giant Panda landscape. Explore the Zhugengcha bamboo corridor, Muyangchang, and surrounding mountain forest in search of wild Giant Panda. Golden Snub-nosed Monkey, Takin, Tufted Deer, Mandarin Duck, and forest birds are additional possibilities. Wild Giant Panda sightings cannot be guaranteed, but this day provides an exciting opportunity to photograph pandas in their natural habitat.

Day 7 (15 March): Wanglang to Baima

Spend the morning exploring Wanglang’s old-growth forest and wetlands for Takin, deer, Mandarin Duck, and mountain birds. In the afternoon, travel to the Baima Tibetan highlands for our first dedicated pheasant session, searching for White Eared Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Grandala, and other mountain species.

Day 8 (16 March): Baima: High-Altitude Pheasants

An early start takes us into the mountains for one of the tour’s most important pheasant sessions. Our principal target is Temminck’s Tragopan, with possibilities for Koklass Pheasant and numerous high-altitude birds. Snow can provide beautiful winter settings. The afternoon offers additional bird photography around mountain forests, streams, and traditional Baima villages.

Day 9 (17 March): Baima to Ya’an Tea Country

Enjoy a final morning session for White Eared Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, and other mountain birds before visiting Tianmu Lake for overwintering Mandarin Ducks. We then travel south toward Ya’an, finishing the day photographing the layered tea plantations of Niunianping in late-afternoon and sunset light.

Day 10 (18 March): Ya’an to Muchuan

Begin the morning photographing the beautiful terraced tea fields around Qilong Village, where mist can create atmospheric landscape compositions. Continue to Muchuan for an afternoon of hide photography targeting Temminck’s Tragopan, Silver Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Wallcreeper, and numerous forest birds.

Day 11 (19 March): Muchuan: Pheasant Photography

Spend a full day at Muchuan’s photography hides, concentrating on Temminck’s Tragopan, Silver Pheasant, Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, and other forest birds. We focus not only on portraits but also feeding, interactions, movement, and other natural behaviors.

Day 12 (20 March): Muchuan to Chengdu

Enjoy one final early-morning hide session to photograph any remaining target species or improve images from the previous days. After breakfast, return to Chengdu for airport transfer or onward travel.